The fighting therefore was confined to the cannonading of the fort by the ships.
Circumstances not fully explained caused the attack to be fixed for the 23d; an inopportune delay, during which Americans were strengthening their still very imperfect defences.

On the 23d the wind was unfavourable.

On the 25th the _Experiment_, 50, arrived, crossed the bar, and, after taking in her guns again, was ready to join in the assault.

On the 27th, at 10 A.M., the ships got under way with a south-east breeze, but this shifted soon afterwards to north-west, and they had to anchor again, about a mile nearer to Sullivan's Island.

On the following day the wind served, and the attack was made.
In plan, Fort Moultrie was square, with a bastion at each angle.