Guns that fired on Sumter.
Below are some of the
Confederate guns in the battery near
Fort Moultrie that bore upon the
Fort pictured above.
It was the hot shot from
Fort Moultrie itself that set fire to the barracks in
Fort Sumter about eight o'clock on the morning of April 13th.
When the
Confederate commanders saw the black smoke rise from the fort, they doubled the fire of the batteries to keep the flames from being extinguished.
Sumter did not cease replying, although the intervals between shots became longer as the garrison dashed from spot to spot checking the flames.
The
South Carolinians showed their admiration for their dauntless antagonists by cheering at every shot that replied to them.
About half-past 12 of that day the flagstaff on
Sumter was shot away.
General Beauregard, who was in charge of the operations of
Charleston, at once sent three of his aides to inquire if
Major Anderson would accept assistance in subduing the flames and to offer terms of surrender.
The terms, which allowed the gallant garrison to march out with the honors of war, were at length accepted.
The first step in the war had been irrevocably taken.
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The stars and bars waving over the captured fort: North-West angle showing casemates. |
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Confederate guns that fired on Sumter: South-western angle, showing sand-bag defences and columbiads bearing on Fort Sumter, April 16, 1861. |
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