This day in Charleston

September 1

2 entries · 1863–1864

1863Fort Sumter

“There is none now”

Gillmore signaled Dahlgren: “Three guns on Sumter were knocked out of sight to-day… There was a serviceable gun on Sumter this morning; there is none now.” At eleven that night Fort Moultrie opened on six monitors and the New Ironsides standing in to attack the fort, and fired 121 rounds until they withdrew at daylight. Of 382 shots at Fort Sumter, 166 struck outside and 95 inside.

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

1864Fort Sumter

Another torpedo attempt fails

“The enemy again attempted to blow up the fort with a torpedo, but failed. The torpedo exploded about 300 yards off the east angle.” The Federals tried repeatedly to blow in Fort Sumter's gorge with floated charges, and never managed it.

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.