The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
After about 34 hours of bombardment, Union Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort. Remarkably, no soldiers were killed during the shelling itself.
What Followed
President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion, and four more Southern states soon joined the Confederacy.
Visit
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park can be reached by ferry from Charleston.
Explore More
Ohio is full of Civil War history. Visit the Ohio History Connection in Columbus, Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, the Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Grant’s birthplace in Point Pleasant, and Morgan’s Raid markers across southern and eastern Ohio. County historical societies often hold letters, photos, and flags from local regiments, so check with yours too.
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