(April 12-13, 1861)
The
Attack on Fort Sumter
(April 12-13, 1861)
On April 10, 1861, Brig. Gen. Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Garrison commander Anderson refused. On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort, which was unable to reply effectively. At 2:30 p.m., April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating the garrison on the following day. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War. Although there were no casualties during the bombardment, one Union artillerist was killed and three wounded (one mortally) when a cannon exploded prematurely when firing a salute during the evacuation.
| Detailed Description | Detailed description of events at Fort Sumter taken from the Confederate Military History. |
| From Moultrie to Sumter | An article written by one many consider the father of modern day baseball, Abner Doubleday. |
| Ownership of Fort Sumter | A fine essay detailing who, South Carolina or the U.S. Government, owned Fort Sumter |
| Summary of Principal Events | Taken from the Official Records. |
Official Records
Union Reports
Maj. Robert Anderson
Capt. J. G. Foster
Capt. G. V. Fox
Ordnance Storekeeper F. C. Humphreys
Lieut. Charles R. WoodsConfederate Reports
Brig. Gen. James Simons
Confederate Correspondence
Brig. Gen. G. T. Beauregard
Brig. Gen. R. G. M. DunovantThis page last updated 01/13/05