This day in Charleston

April 19

2 entries · 1861–1864

1861The blockade

Lincoln proclaims the blockade

Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of the Southern coast from South Carolina to Texas. Charleston’s own blockade began on 28 May 1861 when the USS Niagara took station off the bar. For the next three years and nine months, everything the city imported came in at night, at speed, and at a price.

Official Records of the Navies, Series I, Vol. 12

1864Fort Sumter

Two shots, one miss

“Everything quiet this morning. Two shots were fired last night, 1 of which missed. Nothing new among the fleet.” Between the great bombardments, Fort Sumter's war was measured in single rounds.

Fort Sumter post returns, OR I, 35, Pt. 1

Entries are dated from the War of the Rebellion official records, the naval official records and contemporary Charleston sources. Browse the whole year.