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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic) |
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Swamp Angel
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By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010 | |
| | | 1. Swamp Angel Marker | | |
Inscription. In 1863 Union forces built a battery about two miles away in the marsh on lower Morris Island (in front of you). They mounted an eight-inch Parrott rifle called the Swamp Angel. This huge gun fired 150-pound shells and was aimed at the city of Charleston five miles away.
The Swamp Angel's first shot at 1:30 a.m. on August 22 caused panic in Charleston. This deliberate bombardment of a civilian population shattered the city's security. The Swamp Angel's brief career ended abruptly the following day when the overcharged gun burst while firing its 36th round. Other guns soon took its place, and the bombardment of Charleston continued intermittently for the next 18 months.
Erected by Fort Sumter National Monument - South Carolina - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 32° 45.117′ N, 79° 52.481′ W. Marker is near Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Click for map. Marker is located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. See links below for more information about access to the site. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29412, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Sumter Bombarded (a few steps from this marker); Mountain Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Night Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Robert Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Flags of the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Star of the West (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Charleston.| | | | 
By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010 | |
| | | 2. Markers at the Southwest Corner of Fort Sumter | | |
More about this marker. The marker displays a wartime photo showing, After bursting, the Swamp Angel's barrel lies dismounted on the parapet.
Also see . . .
1. Directions to Fort Sumter. The only way to reach the fort is by boat. Most visitors use the Spirit Line Cruises, although private boats are allowed. (Submitted on May 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Swamp Angel. The gun itself was salvaged and placed in a memorial in Trenton, New Jersey. (Submitted on May 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. The Swamp Angel. A rather detailed account of the Swamp Angel from Civil War Preservation Trust. (Submitted on May 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
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By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010 | |
| | | 3. Marsh Behind Morris Island | | Looking from the fort in the direction of the battery location. The site today is entirely surrounded by marsh. | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, February 27, 2010 | |
| | | 4. Swamp Angel Today | | After the Civil War, the Swamp Angel was purchased for scrap iron by the Phoenix Iron Works in Trenton, N.J., but was saved before it could be melted down. It was placed in Cadwalader Park in Trenton on April 12, 1961, the 100th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. | | |
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By Bill Coughlin, February 27, 2010 | |
| | | 5. The Swamp Angel in Cadwalader Park, Trenton, NJ. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on May 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on May 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.
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