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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Siege of Fort Sumter

 
 
Siege of Fort Sumter Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. Siege of Fort Sumter Marker
Inscription. A close look at the wall in front of you reveals Union artillery shells embedded in the brick. They were found during one of the longest sieges in U.S. military history.

Batteries on Morris Island, about one mile behind you, and guns on Union warships shelled this Confederate stronghold for 22 months during 1863-1865. The bombardment, primarily from Morris Island, destroyed the gorge wall behind you and severely damaged the left face wall in front of you.

The bullet-shaped shells embedded here were fired from powerful rifled cannon. Rifling (cutting spiral grooves in the cannon's bore) gave a spin to the shell, increasing accuracy, range, and destructive power. Rifled shells could be larger and heavier than the old, round shot fired from smoothbore cannon.
 
Erected by Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
 
Location. 32° 45.163′ N, 79° 52.475′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. 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
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distance of this marker. 10-Inch Mortar, Model 1819 (a few steps from this marker); 8-Inch Columbiad (a few steps from this marker); 15-Inch Rodman (within shouting distance of this marker); Arming the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Holding the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Rearming the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Sumter Today (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Moultrie (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
 
More about this marker. On the left is a wartime photo showing Union gunners fire on Fort Sumter from Morris Island. Federal artillery reduced most of the fort to rubble during the 22-month siege (1863-1865).

Another on the lower right is captioned - This 1863 photo shows bombardment damage to the wall in front of you, which once stood three tiers, fifty feet high.
 
Marker and Damaged Section of the Fort image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
2. Marker and Damaged Section of the Fort
Walls of Fort Sumter image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Walls of Fort Sumter
The walls of Fort Sumter, particularly where brick is exposed, show the signs of wartime damage, repairs, and renovations over the years. In some sections, metal debris remains in the walls.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 970 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   3. submitted on May 11, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

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Mar. 28, 2024