apr 12, 1861 - Attack on Fort Sumter

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Construction of Fort Sumter was still underway when South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860. A standoff took place until January 9, 1861, when a ship, the Star of the West, arrived in Charleston with over 200 U.S. troops and supplies intended for Fort Sumter. South Carolina’s military fired upon the vessel, forcing it to turn back to sea. Knowing that the fort was running out of supplies, Lincoln announced his intention to send three unarmed ships to relieve Fort Sumter. Having already declared that any attempt to resupply the fort would be seen as an act of aggression, South Carolina got ready to respond. Military Commander P.G.T. Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter shortly after 4:30 am on April 12th, 1861. By Saturday, April 13, cannon fire had broken through the fortress walls, and Anderson was forced to surrender the fort shortly after 2 pm.

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