MITCHELVILLE HILTON HEAD

ISLAND: THE FIRST FREEDMEN

In 1861, the Union Army identified Hilton Head Island as a strategic location for their southern headquarters. Situated between Charleston, South Carolina; Buford; and Savannah, Georgia—key military hubs—the island was deemed an ideal site for Union operations. During the Civil War, Hilton Head was initially occupied by Confederate forces.

In November 1861, Union troops invaded Hilton Head. The sound of gunboats instilled fear among Confederate soldiers, plantation owners, and residents, prompting many to flee the island—either by boat or by running through the fields. They left behind everything, including around 10,000 enslaved people.

Under Union protection, Black Americans on Hilton Head experienced freedom for the first time in their lives—this occurred even before the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Former enslaved people from neighboring Confederate territories in Georgia, Florida, and other parts of South Carolina were welcomed to the island.

In 1862, Union General Ormsby Mitchel addressed Black residents, saying: “Good colored people, you have great work to do. You are in a position of responsibility. This experiment is to give you freedom, your homes, your families, your property, and your own soil.” The island was later named Mitchelville in his honor.

Mitchel granted land to the formerly enslaved people, allowing them to govern themselves. He encouraged them to cultivate crops, buy land, sell goods, and participate in voting.

The newly freed residents established retail stores and schools for children aged 6 to 15—an important development, as they had been denied education under slavery. They created an organizational system that managed their own affairs, including taxation, voting, and community leadership.

This community was diverse, representing various African cultures and languages collectively known as "Gullah" or "Gullah Geechee." These groups shared their cultural traditions, taught each other their languages, and embraced their African heritage.

Freedmen quarters

Their strong desire for education led to the passage of South Carolina’s first compulsory education law. Many freedmen also enlisted in the Union Army.

Access to Mitchelville was highly restricted; outsiders, including white men, had to show military identification to enter, ensuring the safety of residents and confidentiality. The town played a vital role in the Civil War, boasting resources such as a retail center and a 500-bed hospital.

Financially, the residents benefited from supporting Union troops—selling goods and providing supplies—contributing to the war effort and improving their economic situation.

The Cherry Hill School