This documentary about Fort Sumter examines why the site for the fort was chosen, how Fort Sumter became the starting point of the Civil War, and how the Confederates held onto the site for four years despite being outnumbered. The program travels to many sites around Fort Sumter—from the fort where the historic shot was fired that signaled the start of the Civil War, to the Port Royal Sound area where the North began its drive to Fort Sumter and the city of Charleston. Period photographs from Charleston are matched with present-day footage to show how the city has changed and how it has stayed the same.
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After the War of 1812, the U.S. government deemed the East coast as vulnerable. Congress decided that a series of coastal defenses was necessary. Plans were made to construct a fort at the mouth of...
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Due to lack of funding, construction on Fort Sumter slowed. Fort Moultrie also suffered from monetary issues, and as a result, the fort was not properly armed, garrisoned, or reinforced. Major Robert...
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At 4:30 in the morning, on April 12, 1861, a shot fired from Fort Johnson signaled the beginning of the Civil War. Miraculously, during the thirty four hour engagement, no one was killed. Major Robert...
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Between 1861 and 1863, no real attempt was made on the fort. This gave the Confederates time to repair and reinforce Fort Sumter. The North prepared to blockade the Southern coast. The Confederacy...
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In the spring of 1862, Robert Smalls, on board the Planter, sailed towards the Union fleet, and gave them valuable information about Confederate positions. The Union then organizes troops to land on...
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Samuel F. Du Pont took Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, in November 1861. Now, in April 1863, the Union wanted to send Du Pont, at the helm of their most powerful naval fleet, to attack Fort Sumter...
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With Morris Island now under Union control, they construct their own battery, and attack the city of Charleston. A parrot rifle, known as the “Swamp Angel” began shelling the city. Between August 1863...