Siege map · [1863]

The harbor on 7 September 1863

Charleston Harbor and its approaches showing the positions of the Rebel batteries

This is the map to read beside the photographs of 8 September 1863. It is overprinted with the positions as they stood on 7 September — the day before George S. Cook and James Osborn set up on the parapet of Fort Sumter and Haas & Peale photographed the same engagement from Morris Island.

The quarter-mile circles are centred on St. Michael’s steeple, which is how the Federal gunners measured the range into the city. The Union positions are given on the authority of Major T. B. Brooks, Gillmore’s engineer.

What is on the sheet

  • roads, railroads, houses and vegetation
  • a street plan of Charleston
  • soundings and shoals
  • quarter-mile concentric circles centred on St. Michael’s
  • positions held by the Union army and navy
  • batteries taken from and batteries still held by the Confederates, 7 September 1863

The catalog’s own notes

Another issue. Union positions based “on the authority of Maj. T. B. Brooks…”

Bears on

George Smith Cook James M. Osborn Philip Haas Washington Peale

Places

Fort Sumter St. Michael's Church

The record

Title, as catalogedCharleston Harbor and its approaches showing the positions of the Rebel batteries
Title used hereThe harbor on 7 September 1863
MakerUnited States Coast Survey; lithographed by J. Bien, New York
Date, as cataloged[1863]
KindSiege map
Medium1 map, colored
Dimensions61 x 50 cm
CollectionCivil War Maps
Call numberG3912.C4S5 1863 .U51
Image served byLibrary of Congress
RightsPublic domain
Rights statement, verbatimThe content of the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division digitized collections is free to use and reuse unless a Rights Advisory statement is present that indicates otherwise. Credit Line: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division.
Credit lineLibrary of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Catalog recordhttps://www.loc.gov/item/99448828/
Last verified2026-08-30

Read the sheet at the repository