“At Sullivan's Isle”

Description

"I'll tell you, George, in meter, If you will attend the while, How we forced out Saint Peter At Sullivan's fair isle."

Supplemental text

At Sullivan's Isle
  Complete text(s)

          *** A ***

From Harvey H. Fuson, Ballads of the Kentucky Highlands, p. 196.
As remembered by Fuson himself.

I'll tell you, George, in meter,
If you will attend the while,
How we forced out Saint Peter
At Sullivan's fair isle.

Notes

There isn't much here to serve as a basis for dating the song, but the reference to Sullivan's Isle clearly takes us to Charleston Harbor. Revolutionary War or Civil War? We simply cannot tell. I'm guessing the Revolutionary War, because of the reference to "Saint Peter." There was no "Saint Peter" that I know of involved in the Union assaults on Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter, but the name might refer to Peter Parker, co-commander of the Revolutionary battle.

For details on that fiasco, see "Sir Peter Parker." - RBW

Historical references

• June 28, 1776 - Clinton and Parker's failed assault on Charleston

Cross references

• cf. "Sir Peter Parker" (subject)

References

1. Fuson, p. 196, "At Sullivan's Isle" (1 fragment, sixth of seven "Quatrains on the War")
2. ST Fus19gB (Full)
3. BI, Fus19gB