Accounts of the surprising defeat at Sullivan’s Island reached London on September 1, 1776 triggering many critical inquiries and editorials.  The battle also found its way into a popular satirical cartoon produced by Matthew and Mary Darly in September 1776.  Entitled “Miss Carolina Sulivan – one of the obstinate daughters of America, 1776”, this cartoon was the latest in a series of images highlighting British military setbacks in America.  “Miss Carolina Sulivan” features a woman with a fantastic, towering hairstyle – a growing fashion trend that the Darly’s loved to target.  But beyond the fashion commentary the cartoon also has a clear political edge.  Nestled atop Miss Carolina Sulivan’s hairdo are military tents, flags, and a fortress filled with cannon.  One large cannon has the words “To Peter” on the barrel.  Might this be a reference to Commodore Sir Peter Parker – the defeated commander of the Royal Navy in the battle?  There is also a figure of a man that has been hanged on a gibbet.  During the battle, Sir Peter Parker reported seeing this scene near the fort.  Lastly, and maybe most poignantly, Miss Carolina Sulivan’s face looks just like William Pitt the Elder’s – the longstanding former Prime Minister of Great Britain who passionately argued that Britain should pursue a conciliatory path with its American colonies and that America could not be defeated militarily.

Graphic and analysis by Mr. Doug MacIntyre.

See a higher resolution version of this cartoon at the Library of Congress. 

Learn More

• More information on Matthew and Mary Darly (Lambiek.net)
• Darly cartoon related to the Battle of Bunker Hill (British Museum)

• Darly’s comic-prints of characters, caricatures, macaronies, &c. (Yale University)