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| Fort Sumter, SC |
One-hundred fifty years ago this month marks the starting point of the bloodiest war ever fought on American soil, the Civil War. In 1861, Southern States seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America, due to issues over states rights and slavery. President Abraham Lincoln was determined to preserve the Union at all costs, even if this meant going to war.
On April 12, 1861, the first shots of the war were fired upon Fort Sumter, which lies off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. Since South Carolina was a Confederate state, the Confederate Army demanded that the Union Army surrender the fort. When the Union Garrison commander refused to hand over the fort, the Confederate’s open fired. The next day the Union Army surrendered, and so began the American Civil War.
In memory of the American Civil War, many historical battle sites around the United States will have special events between April 2011 and April 2015 (each event held marks the 150th anniversary, Civil War lasted from April 1861-April 1865). The first major commemoration of America’s bloodiest war will be held next week in Charleston, SC and Fort Sumter National Park between April 9th-April 17th. Living history demonstrations will be taking place throughout the city and park during these dates.
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| Fort Sumter |
If you are a Civil War buff, this is definitely an event that you do not want to miss! The commemoration starts off on April 9th, with Union soldier re-enactors occupying Fort Sumter. The Union re-enactors will be on the fort until April 13th, when they are forced to surrender to the Confederate Army. During this period there will also be a re-enactment of the bombardment of the fort from Charleston Harbor. On April 14th, the first five tourist ferries to reach the island will get a special treat! Flag ceremonies will be held by re-enactors commemorating the Union surrender of the fort to the Confederates. Make sure you arrive at the ferry port early to make sure you get a spot on the boat! For the next three days, April 15th-17th, Confederate re-enactors will be occupying the fort and interacting with visitors.
Before you visit Fort Sumter, make sure you keep up with the national news. Due to budget conflictions in congress, starting Friday the U.S. government may be shut down until further notice. If this occurs, Fort Sumter National Park will be closed and the events will not occur. This just goes to show that major conflicts still exist in our government today, even after the Civil War! Keep your fingers cross that our congressmen can come to an agreement!
For more information on Fort Sumter and the Civil War Sesquicentennial please check out the following websites:
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| Me in front of a cannon on Fort Sumter |
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