The Firing of the First Shots in the American Civil War: A Question of Fact
The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, with the firing of the first shots at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The first shots were fired by Confederates against the US Army garrison stationed in the fort, which is a fact that is generally accepted by historians. In this article, we will explore the events leading up to the start of the war and provide a more detailed account of the day the war began. Note: There has been no credible evidence found to prove that Union forces fired any shots prior to the Civil War**.
A Brief History Leading Up to the War
The deepening divisions between the pro-slavery Southern states and the anti-slavery Northern states had been simmering for decades. In the months leading up to the outbreak of war, tensions grew as Confederate states began seceding from the United States in response to President Abraham Lincoln’s election and his later decision to hold the southern states together through military action.
Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteer troops on April 15, 1861, which many Southern states viewed as an Act of War. Three days later, on April 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, gave the command to attack Fort Sumter.
The Capture of Fort Sumter: A Detailed Account
Fort Sumter was a federal arsenal located on a man-made island in the middle of Charleston Harbor, and it was heavily guarded. The US Army had taken possession of the fort in the spring of 1861 to prevent South Carolina from becoming the seventh state to secede. The US Army under the command of Major Robert Anderson was in charge of the fort and consisted of 85 officers and soldiers.
Anderson was authorized to negotiate the surrender of the fort but was delayed due to heavy Confederate naval and artillery fire. In the meantime, the Federal troops in Fort Sumter were stockpiling supplies and repairing damaged portions of the fort to prepare for the potential takeover.
Who Fired the First Shots of the American Civil War?
Now, we must turn our attention to who fired the first shots of the war. At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, South Carolina artillery shells began dropping on Fort Sumter from the surrounding areas. The first artillery shells from the Confederate States Army cannons were fired at the federal fort. This was indeed the start of the firing of the Civil War, and Confederates fired the first shots that day.
The war began when South Carolina state troops under General P. G. T. Beauregard launched a combined artillery and naval attack against Fort Sumter. Major Anderson responded with his loyal troops, engaging in intense artillery battles from April 12 to 13.
Key Figures Involved in the Initial Firing
Some significant figures in the events that unfolded leading up to and during the initial firing are:
- P. G. T. Beauregard: Led the assault on Fort Sumter under the orders of President Davis.
- General Robert Anderson: Commander of the US Army forces within Fort Sumter.
- Major Thomas Gregg: A high-ranking Southern officer who acted as Lieutenant General Beauregard’s chief of staff.
Key dates in this event included:
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| April 4, 1861 | Confederate forces surrounding Fort Sumter begin drilling and digging trenches. |
| April 10, 1861 | Lincoln sends aide William H. Seward to Fort Pickens and Fort Taylor with instructions not to surrender unless absolutely necessary. |
| April 12, 1861 | The First Shot Heard Around the World: A Confederate shell crashes into the fort. Major Anderson had already made arrangements to move his men onto the fourth tier of walls to limit damage. |
Confederate Attacks on Union Forces
Union forces on the island repelled wave after wave of Confederate attack, using rifle pits along the fort walls and canister shots fired from its cannons. However, Confederates were also relentless with their attacks.
The United States’ ability to remain in control was weakened gradually, as a lack of supplies, lack of replacements, and mounting pressure weakened the garrison. However, the brave resistance held off the forces of P. G. T. Beauregard and later led to surrender negotiations through the Union envoy, Honorable Robert S. Haleck.
Key Statistics:
• Confederate artillery shots: Over 4,000 rounds, lasting a total of two days.
