Fort Sumter National Monument

The fortification was built between 1829 and 1860, on a shoal at the entrance to the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. It was named for General Thomas Sumter. The fort was the scene of the opening engagement of the Civil War.

In December 1860, upon passing the Ordinance of Secession, South Carolina claimed all federal property within the state, particularly the forts of Charleston harbor-Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney.

On 26 December 1860, Major Robert Anderson removed his U.S. army command of about 100 men from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, which was a stronger defensive site. Governor F.W. Pickens of South Carolina remained in control of the other two forts and, along with the Charleston arsenal, he seized Fort Sumter and demanded that President James Buchanan ordered Anderson's evacuation. Upon the president's refusal, Pickens had guns trained on Fort Sumter.

On 9 January 1861, an unarmed merchant ship that was sent to reinforce the fort's garrison was driven back by the South Carolina forces. Pickens' subsequent formal demand for the fort's surrender was declined and South Carolina prepared to reduce Anderson's stronghold. Pickens hoped to secure the fort before Abraham Lincoln took office, but in February 1861, the newly organized Confederate government assumed the state's part in the controversy and sent General P.G.T. Beauregard to command Charleston.

On 8 April 1861, Pickens received Lincoln's notice that a naval expedition would be sent to provision the beleaguered garrison. Three days later, Beauregard called for Anderson's surrender, but the demand was again refused.

After a 34-hour Confederate bombardment that was began at 4:30 A.M. on 12 April, the fort was left in ruins. Anderson accepted terms and on 14 April the garrison departed with the honors of war. Although no one was killed, the action made manifest the belligerent spirit in both the North and the South.

In 1863, Union naval attacks on the fort were thoroughly repulsed. After Sherman forced the evacuation of Charleston, the U.S. flag was again raised over the fort by Anderson on 14 April 1865. Fort Sumter became a national monument in 1948. Fort Moultrie, on nearby Sullivans Island, is part of the monument.

Fort Sumter National Monument is 180 km southeast from Columbia and 750 km south from Washington D.C.