History of Parris Island
The use of Parris Island for military posts dates to the mid-1500s. France made the earliest attempt to colonize South Carolina, and in 1562, naval officer Jean Ribault garrisoned 28 men on Parris Island (Charles Fort) while he traveled to France for supplies and reinforcements. This territory was occupied four years later by the Spanish, who constructed Fort San Felipe and eventually changed hands to the English, who created the settlement of what was to become South Carolina.
The Marine Corps first arrived at Parris Island (Port Royal) during the Civil War. Commander of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Captain Samuel F. Du Pont, seized Port Royal from the Confederacy and used the land as a critical base for the Union Navy throughout the war. Marines were assigned as guards on the new Union post.
On August 7, 1882, Congress authorized the construction of a coaling dock and a naval storehouse. A board appointed by the Secretary of the Navy selected Parris Island for this location. A little over a year later, 37 acres of land were purchased for $5,000 and became the United States Naval Station, Port Royal, South Carolina. The first Marines assigned to Port Royal arrived on June 26, 1891. Barracks weren't available, and they lived in tents for 16 months. The decision to build the Leathernecks a barracks came at the recommendation from the medical officer after harsh weather caused many to get sick. The Marine commanding the post was moved to a large room in the coal shed, and another year would pass before the Marine detachment of 20 was provided barracks built explicitly for them.
In 1909, the Marine Post would shift to a Marine Officers School, and 27 officers graduated that year. By mid-1911, Port Royal began accepting enlisted Marines for recruit training, but the Navy Department had other plans. Two months later, they changed the purpose of Port Royal to a disciplinary installation and, under General Order No. 122, changed its name to the U.S. Naval Disciplinary Barracks. Two days later, the Marine Corps turned over its buildings, and most of the Marine's training were sent to Norfolk. Towards the end of 1915, Marines moved back to the base, and after November 1, training Marine recruits would be the primary mission of Port Royal.
The immediate need for troops during WWI required a lot of resources and the primary reason for the creation of Parris Island was the massive amount of mail received. On June 22, 1917, Marine Corps Order No. 27 stated, "At the request of the Postmaster General and in order to avoid delay in the delivery of mail, it is directed that the official designation of the Marine Corps post at Port Royal, S.C., be changed from Marine Barracks, Port Royal, S.C., to Marine Barracks, Paris Island, S. C." Notice the one "r" in the spelling of the name. This was the official spelling of the post until May 3, 1919, when Brigadier General Joseph Pendleton issued MCO No. 32 that stated the proper spelling was "Parris," after the Public Treasurer of SC, Colonel Alexander Parris.
We touch on Parris Island during the Civil War. Subscribe to listen for free: https://buff.ly/2tXZkk7
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