February 2
1926: Beaufort County Sheriff James Edwin McTeer dies. His son, also James Edwin McTeer, would be appointed nine days later to complete his term in office.
February 3
1779: The Battle of Port Royal Island, sometimes called the Battle of Beaufort or the Battle of Gray’s Hill, occurs near what is now Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on U.S. 21 west of downtown Beaufort. After the British captured Savannah, Ga., on Dec. 29, 1778, they wanted to establish a base of operations on Port Royal Island, allowing them to stage an attack by land and water on Charleston. British General Augustine Prevost sent Major James Gardiner and 200 men to capture Fort Lyttleton on the island. General Benjamin Lincoln responded by sending General William Moultrie and a well-armed force of 300 men to meet Gardiner. The two armies met just outside of Beaufort on February 3. The British and the Patriots, after exchanging heavy fire for 45 minutes, started to run low on ammunition and decided to withdraw. However, when Moultrie learned Gardiner was retreating, he sent his cavalry in pursuit. The cavalry chased the British and captured a few men, but the British left the island — and the field of battle — to the Americans.
– Compiled by Mike McCombs
