DK - The American Civil War

DIRECTORY

SOUTH CAROLINA

Fort Sumter National Monument
The first engagement of the Civil War
took place here on April 12–13, 1861,
when the Confederates opened fire on
this federal fort. Fort Sumter surrendered
after 34 hours. Union forces eventually
reclaimed the fort four years later, in

1865. The park also includes Fort Moultrie
      on Sullivan’s Island, scene of the patriot
      victory of June 28, 1776.
      http://www.nps.gov/fosu

Fort Sumter cannons
Although only 2.4 acres (1 hectare), Fort Sumter was
built to accommodate 135 artillery pieces. The fort was
well armed, but the Confederates bombarded it with
an estimated 3,000 shots in 34 hours. With their
ammunition stores depleted, the Union troops were
forced to surrender.

Aerial view
Fort Sumter’s coastal placement allowed it to control
Charleston Harbor. The five-sided, three-tiered fort
was built with a foundation of more than 70,000 tons
(63,503 metric tons) of granite and other rock.