I have always heard about Ft. Sumter where the first shots of the 'War Between the States" were fired! I pictured it very close to Charleston but actually it is a 30 minute ferry ride away from the city. Since it guarded the harbor, I can certainly understand why the presence of Union troops was something the Confederates didn't like!
On April 12, 1861, General P G T Beauregard, in command of the Confederate forces around Charleston Harbor, opened fire on the Union garrison holding Fort Sumter. At 2:30 on April 13, Major Robert Anderson, garrison commander, surrendered the fort. The generous terms of surrender allowed Anderson to perform a 100 gun salute before he and his men evacuated the fort. The salute began at 2:00 but was cut short to 50 guns after an accidental explosion killed one of the gunners and mortally wounded another. Carrying their tattered banner, the men marched out of the fort and boarded a boat that ferried them to the Union ships outside the harbor. They were greeted as heroes on their return to the North.
On April 12, 1861, General P G T Beauregard, in command of the Confederate forces around Charleston Harbor, opened fire on the Union garrison holding Fort Sumter. At 2:30 on April 13, Major Robert Anderson, garrison commander, surrendered the fort. The generous terms of surrender allowed Anderson to perform a 100 gun salute before he and his men evacuated the fort. The salute began at 2:00 but was cut short to 50 guns after an accidental explosion killed one of the gunners and mortally wounded another. Carrying their tattered banner, the men marched out of the fort and boarded a boat that ferried them to the Union ships outside the harbor. They were greeted as heroes on their return to the North.
The last Confederate commander of the fort never actually surrendered but General Sherman's advance through South Carolina finally forced the Confederates to evacuate Charleston and abandon Fort Sumter. The Federal Government formally took possession of Fort Sumter on February 22, 1865 with a flag raising ceremony.
Mary and I went on a 'Sunset Tour' so we got to help the park rangers take down the American Flag since it was the end of the day. And in case you wondered, no Confederate flags were flying! And I didn't try to put one up!!!
Only the stars and stripes and the South Carolina flag - South Carolina - The Palmentto State!
I especially enjoyed watching all the seabirds.
There are still projectiles in the walls of the fort.
Loved sharing this afternoon of history with my daughter!
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