This day in Charleston

November 10

2 entries · 1861–1863

1861The city

Martial law is asked for; a blockader’s boiler falls out

Three days after Port Royal, the Confederate commander at Charleston telegraphed Richmond for authority to proclaim martial law in the city. The same day, off Charleston bar, an officer joining the USS Flag found the bottom of her boiler had dropped out and was being held up with slips of wood — she was, he was told, one of the most efficient blockaders on the station.

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

1863Fort Sumter

Nine thousand three hundred and six shots

Telegraphed from Charleston at half past eleven in the morning: “Bombardment of Sumter continues gradually to decrease; no casualties since last report. Total number of shots since 26th ultimo, when attack recommenced, is 9,306. Fort is still in a defensible condition.”

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 28, Pt. 2

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