Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Night Attack
During the Bombardment
| | April 12-14, 1861 | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. Night Attack Marker
On the night of September 8, 1863, a Union tugboat towed 500 sailors and marines in small boats to within 400 yards of Fort Sumter, then cast them loose to assault the fort. But the Confederates expected the attack. As the leading boats landed, the defenders opened fire, hurling grenades and bricks down upon the assailants. Guns of Fort Moultrie and the Confederate gunboat Chicora opened fire. The remaining boats retreated and 124 Union men stranded here were killed, wounded, or captured.
For the next sixteen months, Union forces continued to bombard Fort Sumter, but never attempted another landing.
Erected 1932 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. A significant historical date for this entry is September 8, 1861.
Location. 32° 45.114′ N, 79° 52.459′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It can be reached from the Fort Sumter Ferry Terminal. Located at Fort Sumter National Monument and only reached by boat. See links below for more information about access to the site.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mountain Howitzer (here, next to this marker); Star of the West (a few steps from this marker); Ironclads Attack (within shouting distance of this marker); Swamp Angel (within shouting distance of this marker); Blockade Runners (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Robert Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris Island (within shouting distance of this marker); 8-inch (200 Pounder) Parrott (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a contemporary sketch depicting the assault.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 4, 2013
2. Night Attack Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
3. Markers on the Southern Corner of Fort Sumter
4. Exterior of Fort Sumter
This photo, taken just after the fort's evacuation by Confederates in 1865, shows the debris and obstacles which confronted the landing party.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
5. Outside of Fort Sumter
Looking over the wall of Fort Sumter today. The wall of the fort, reconstructed after the war, rests upon a foundation which is covered at high tide. Debris, such as the pipes seen here, cover the foundation.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,339 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 4, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 16, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
