Near Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Sumter Bombarded
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. Fort Sumter Bombarded Marker
Inscription.
Fort Sumter Bombarded. . The lighthouse in the distance marks the southern tip of Morris Island. In July,1863, Union troops landed there and advanced two-thirds of the way up the island to a Confederate stronghold known as Battery Wagner. Unable to capture the battery by direct assault, they brought up heavy guns, and after two months drove the defenders out. Union artillerists then set up powerful siege batteries at Cummings Point (directly ahead of you) and from there shelled Fort Sumter at point-blank range, reducing its once proud walls to a mere pile of rubble. Ironically, the more they damaged the walls the stronger they became. Slaves piled up the debris into huge breastworks, twenty feet thick, and reinforced them with cotton bales, sandbags, and other material, rendering the fort impregnable to artillery.
The lighthouse in the distance marks the southern tip of Morris Island. In July,1863, Union troops landed there and advanced two-thirds of the way up the island to a Confederate stronghold known as Battery Wagner. Unable to capture the battery by direct assault, they brought up heavy guns, and after two months drove the defenders out. Union artillerists then set up powerful siege batteries at Cummings Point (directly ahead of you) and from there shelled Fort Sumter at point-blank range, reducing its once proud walls to a mere pile of rubble. Ironically, the more they damaged the walls the stronger they became. Slaves piled up the debris into huge breastworks, twenty feet thick, and reinforced them with cotton bales, sandbags, and other material, rendering the fort impregnable to artillery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.
Location. 32° 45.121′ N, 79° 52.489′ W. Marker is near Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. See links below for more information about access to the site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charleston SC 29412, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swamp Angel (a few steps from this marker); Morris Island (within shouting
More about this marker. The marker displays a drawing of Fort Sumter, made in 1861, and compares to a photograph of the fort taken in 1863.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2013
2. Fort Sumter Bombarded Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Markers at the Southwest Corner of Fort Sumter
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
4. Cummings Point
Morris Island, including the portion where Battery Wagner was sited, has eroded away since the Civil War. The day this photo was taken a storm was blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, and the lighthouse was barely visible, just right of center, in the far distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on May 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 4, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
