Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, resulting in a single casualty, signaled the start of the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.
Illustration by Currier & Ives, courtesy Library of Congress
On April 12, 1861, forces from the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than two days later, the fort surrendered. Only one (U.S.) soldier lost his life. The battle, however, started the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in American history.
Seven states, including South Carolina, had seceded from the U.S. months earlier. Attempts by President James Buchanan to supply U.S. troops at Fort Sumter had failed. When new President Abraham Lincoln (in office just over a month) told South Carolina’s governor that he, too, would try to supply U.S. troops at the fort, South Carolina demanded all U.S. troops evacuate Fort Sumter immediately. U.S. troops did not evacuate, but, met with overwhelming force, surrendered on April 14.
The Confederate victory at the Battle of Fort Sumter resulted in enormous support for military action from both the North and South. President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to “suppress the rebellion,” while four more states joined the Confederacy.
Civil War
Noun
(1860-1865) American conflict between the Union (north) and Confederacy (south).
Confederate
Adjective
having to do with the Confederate States of America (south) during the Civil War.
demand
Noun
quantity of a product that consumers are willing to buy at a particular price.
enormous
Adjective
very large.
evacuate
Verb
to leave or remove from a dangerous place.
fort
Noun
military outpost, area, or set of buildings.
garrison
Noun
military post, or the soldiers who are stationed there.
governor
Noun
elected or appointed leader of a state or area.
immediately
Adverb
at once or quickly.
military
Noun
armed forces.
overwhelm
Verb
to completely overpower.
rebellion
Noun
organized resistance to an authority.
secede
Verb
to withdraw from part of a union or alliance.
suppress
Verb
to end, prohibit, or not allow certain activities.
surrender
Verb
to give up.
troop
Noun
a soldier.
