This day in Charleston
2 entries · 1862–1864
From Hilton Head, Major General David Hunter issued General Orders No. 11 declaring the enslaved people of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida “forever free.” Lincoln revoked it within ten days as beyond a general’s authority. Hunter’s other project — enlisting Black soldiers on the sea islands — outlived the order and outlasted him.
Official Records, Series I, Vol. 14
“The enemy have a gin hoisted over one of the 100-pounder guns in middle battery.” A lifting tripod over a gun meant it was being dismounted or replaced — and Fort Sumter's officers reported it within the hour, because it told Charleston what was about to be fired at what.
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.