Fort Sumter An Unlikely Set Of Circumstances

If you enjoy reading Civil War History as much as I do, you have probably read a ton of material about the first shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861. I have always maintained that Charleston is like a museum of living history and recently in commemoration of the Sesquecentenial of the Civil War Charleston has literally come alive with Civil War History. In fact, last week on the exact day at the exact time of day 150 years later, the sounds of explosions and cannon shots echoed throughout the Holy City and just like that early morning 150 years ago residents poured into the streets and onto rooftops csurrounding the Battery to witness the bombardment.

The circumstances and even the key character figures surrounding the theatre of Fort Sumter represent an unlikely combination to lead to the flash point of a conflict that divided America. First off, the fortification itself was not a particularly strategic piece of real estate. There were scores of more strategic locations to fight over than the citadel that guarded the opening to the Charleston Harbor. Beyond the lack of strategic importance, the key players in the developing conflict were unlikely adversaries. On the Confederate side was General Pierre G.T. Beauregard commanding the defenses of the Charleston Harbor, and the Federal Commander inside of Fort Sumter was Major Robert Anderson the Kentucky Native who was Beauregards artillery instructor at West Point, a lifelong Army man whose heart was simply not in the war. When Beauregard who was following orders of the Confederate Leaders in Montgomery, Alabama sent a dispatch to Major Anderson calling for the Federals to promptly surrender the fort, Major Anderson received the note and responded with a heavy heart that "it was a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor, and of my obigations to my government, prevent my compliance." What consternation General Beauregard must have felt when he received the response and realized that in the absence of compliance he would be forced to carry out a bombardment of Fort Sumter and the forces lead by his former instructor.

When the Confederate authorities directed General Beauregard to issue the ultimatum to Major Anderson they did so out of having their hands forced by the announcement from President Lincoln that he intended to re-supply the Federal garrison with food and other provisions. The Confederates would either have to fire the first shots of the war, or back down from their previous threats. Both leaders, Lincoln and Davis knew that the shots would undoubtedly lead to a bloody conflict. And indeed it did, the attack of the Federal troops at Fort Sumter generated lots of Northern support and sympathy while energizing scores of Confederates who were confident of a quick and decisive victory.

Within the Battle of Fort Sumter, there were unlikely circumstances that lead to the first fatality of the Civil War. Following the initial bombardment of the fort that resulted in a Federal surrender of Sumter, there were no casualties. During a Union ceremony firing a fifty gun salute to the United States Flag that was being retired from the fort an explosion occurred, leading to the death of one Union Soldier and injuring five others. And so it began, a conflict that would tear a Nation apart, a conflict where cousins would fight against cousins and events and occurrences that would impact and change the history and life within the Confederacy and the Union.

The Flags Flying Over Fort Sumter

Since becoming a resident of the Lowcountry I have visited Fort Sumter a handful of times and I usually fix my eyes upon the Fort at the far end of Charleston Harbor nearly every time I walk along the harbor front. One of the most memorable images that I have taken with me on my observations of the fortress are the 6 flags waving gallantly in the stiff breeze of the Atlantic Ocean, symbols of the historic significance of the fort and a tribute to the many men who fought to defend or claim her for their respective side.

The current 6 banners displayed at the fort have flown in unison since 1970 and represent a timeline if you will of the occupation of the fortress in the middle of the Charleston Harbor. Within that timeline one can begin to understand the complexity of the history of the famous redoubt. On April 12, 1861 when the recently commemorated inaugural shots of the Civil War were fired upon the Federally Occupied Fort Sumter, the 33-star Flag of the United States of America stood watch over the fortress. Shortly thereafter when the confederates claimed the fort on April 14, 1861 the banner of the Palmetto Guard was raised on the flag pole above the citadel. The first National Flag of the Confederacy, The Stars and Bars with 7 stars signifying the seven Confederate States of America was proudly displayed from 1861-1863. In 1863 the Stars and Bars was replaced by the second National Flag of the Confederacy, the Stainless Banner, adorned with 13 stars representing the 11 seceeded states as well as Kentucky and Missouri who had not seceeded but were recognized as Confederate States. And then in 1865 the National Banner of The United States of America now with 35 stars since two states, West Virginia and Kansas, were now part of the Nation. Today, the Flag of The United States of America and the familiar Flag of The State of South Carolina are displayed along with the other four standards creating a highly recognizable monument visible from the shores of Charleston Harbor. Throughout the Civil War Fort Sumter represented both victory and defeat to both armies and today, one-hundred and fifty years later the citadel in the harbor represents a living museum of history to the thousands of visitors who tour the fort each year.

Fresh Strawberries, It's Whats For Breakfast

Happy Easter Everybody, I hope you are having a blessed Easter. Since it is Easter Sunday I have a fun post for you today. It is Strawberry Season in the Lowcountry and my goal is to have fresh local berries in the fridge at all times throughout the season. We are fortunate to have a pick-your-own field located within a mile of the house. Recently we had guests from West Virginia and of course one of the many "Vacationland" activities for the week was a trip to the berry patch. While I am tempted to say that half of the fun was harvesting the delectably sweet red morsels of deliciousness, that is really not true, because that would only leave half of the fun for eating them, and that would be a gross understatement of fact. The fact is, eating them is really most of the fun. That is probably why I also never pass up the chance to buy pre-picked local berries at the Summerville Farmers Market.

The morning after our visit to the berry patch, the daughter of our guests, Jensen, was treated to an AWESOME Belgian Waffle with fresh berries and whipped cream. Judging by the smile on Jensen's face, I think she enjoyed the treat, what do you think?