This day in Charleston

October 26

2 entries · 1863

1863Fort Sumter

The second great bombardment opens

The Parrott at Battery Gregg had finally been turned muzzle-first at Fort Sumter. At about half past twelve Gregg, the midway battery and Battery Wagner opened on Sumter, Sullivan’s Island and Fort Johnson, throwing 188 shots at the fort, of which 105 struck. This was the beginning of the second great bombardment, which ran until December.

Journal of Operations in Charleston Harbor, OR I, 28, Pt. 1

1863Fort Sumter

“The enemy having opened fire afresh”

A letter to Beauregard: “The enemy having opened fire afresh on Fort Sumter, confirms” what had been expected. The second great bombardment of the fort began that day and ran for six weeks.

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.