Video
Grades
- 4
- 8
The video location is at the Naval Polaris Missile Base in North Charleston. This is the largest submarine base on the east coast today. Learn about the sinking of the U.S.S. Housatonic by the Hunley...
American Civil War (1861-1865)
Learn the individual stories of men and women who were involved in major events leading up to, during and after the The Civil War (1861-1865).
Photo
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Episode
9
Born near Louisville, Kentucky, Robert Anderson (1805-1871) graduated from West Point in 1825 and received an U.S. Army commission. When the secession of South Carolina became imminent, he was sent to...
Photo
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Episode
8
Known as "Fighting Dick," Richard Heron Anderson (1821-1879) was the ranking South Carolinian in the Confederate Army, although he had been relieved of his command and was not present when Lee...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
42
The Emancipation Proclamation has often been misunderstood, even by those who admire it. Abraham Lincoln disliked the system of slavery, but he made it clear from the beginning that the war effort was...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
41
Both the Union and the Confederacy had to resort to creative efforts to finance the heavy expenses of the Civil War. Both taxed their citizens. That was not enough, and both governments resorted to...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
40
Members of the Palmetto Regiment, using authentic Civil War naval uniforms, re-enact the arrest of a Confederate sailor (Gordon Jones) for failing to salute an officer. Confederate and Union naval...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
39
In an effort to disrupt the federal blockade, the Confederacy resorted to many ingenious plans, but perhaps the most daring of all was the attempt to build and use a submarine. The "Hunley" eventually...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
38
The Ironclad "Chicora" of the Confederate navy played an important role in attempting to break the federal blockade of the Southern coast during the war. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
37
A Confederate ram under construction in Charleston. From "Leslie's Illustrated Weekly." Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
36
A raid of the Second South Carolina Volunteers among the rice plantations along the Combahee. Published in the July 4, 1863, issue of "Harper's Weekly." Courtesy of the Pratt Memorial Library.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
35
Forfeited estate plat from Port Royal Island. The surveyor reported, "This tract subject to Mrs. Poingsett's Right of Dower during her life." The plat--an official map made by a surveyor that gave the...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
34
The occupation of the Beaufort area enabled many slaves to flee their masters. In the chaos of war and occupation, many brought with them household goods, furniture, and clothing from the homes their...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
33
Federal forces under General Stevens march triumphantly into the town of Beaufort on December 5, 1861. "Harper's Weekly" reported to its readers, "The beautiful rural town of Beaufort came into...
Video
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
4
In this segment, a student asks why Francis Marion is called the Swamp Fox, and the answer is given that he was one of the first to use what we now know as guerilla tactics. He would hide in the swamp...
Video
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Episode
5
In this segment, footage from the excavation of the Hunley is provided, and information about the salt water keeping the metal from corroding is given. Footage of the Hunley being raised is included...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
32
The successful assault on Hilton Head and Beaufort left many buildings in ruins, such as this "Beacon House" on Morris Island, photographed after the battle by Sam A. Cooley for the 10th Army Corps...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
31
The troops of the U.S. Army at Fort Sumter surrendered to the Confederacy on April 14, but within the year a larger force had established a permanent military footing along the South Carolina coast...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
30
In spite of the absence of modern television and radio news coverage, citizens were given a visual understanding of the war through the efforts of photographers like Matthew Brady, and the engravings...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
29
The Fourth South Carolina regiment, working in the trenches at night at Manassas Junction. From "Harper's Weekly," August 10, 1861. Courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Photo
Episode
28
In December of 1861, a great fire swept through Charleston, destroying much of the city, and making the defense of the city even more difficult. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
27
The housetops of Charleston during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. From "Harper's Weekly." Courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
26
On April 11, 1861, with the supply ships Lincoln had promised to send already underway, General P.G.T. Beauregard sent James Chesnut with a message to Major Anderson, demanding to know when he would...
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
25
"South Carolina's Ultimatum," engraved by Currier and Ives, portrays South Carolina as destroying herself in her threats to destroy the Union. Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
Photo
Grades
- 4
- 8
Episode
24
Fort Sumter, viewed here from the rear, could not be re-supplied without the Confederate forces in Charleston acquiescing; which they were determined not to do. As Major Anderson's garrison saw their...
Related Series
Palmetto Special
Using site visitations, dramatizations, interviews, visuals, and historic photographs and illustrations, this series explores South Carolina history.
South Carolina Hall of Fame
The S.C. Hall of Fame was founded in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1973 to recognize and honor contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina's heritage, history and...
