East Battery Charleston Sc

War for Southern independence began with demands

The incident that began the war for Southern independence involved the demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter in the Charleston, S.C., harbor.

On April 11, 1861, Brigadier Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard formally requested that the fort be surrendered. The fort in the Charleston harbor did not belong to the Union; it is the property of South Carolina.

Those people, who were stationed inside, had been asked to evacuate many times before the first canons were fired. Each time the request was refused.

At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, Capt. George S. James fired the first shot of the war from a Confederate artillery battery. Some historians believe George Ruffin of Virginia — a staunch supporter of states’ rights with a devout dislike for Yankees — fired the first shot. Artillery exchanges continued through April 13, when terms of surrender were finally agreed to.

The fort was evacuated by steamer at noon on April 14. The following day, Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 militia to serve for 90 days to put down the start for Southern independence.

The proclamation by Lincoln served to force the uncommitted states of Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee to sever ties with the Union, unwilling to supply troops to fight against their sister Southern states. The border states of Maryland, Missouri and Kentucky, while providing soldiers to both armies, were kept under Union control.

The numbers did not look good for the newly created Confederacy. Eleven states had left the Union; 22 remained. The population of the Confederate states was about 9 million; almost one-third were slaves.

The Union could count 22 million individuals and a steady stream of immigrants. The South had only two main east-west railroad lines and limited ability to manufacture locomotives or rolling stock. Most of the known deposits of coal, iron ore and copper were in the North, together with about 92 percent of the country’s industrial capacity.

The Navy remained loyal to the Union, and most of the merchant shipping was Northern owned. If the South was to achieve victory, it would be against long odds.

With Virginia having cast its lot with the Southern states, the Confederate capital was quickly moved from Montgomery, Ala., to Richmond. This placed opposing capitals Washington, D.C., and Richmond only 100 miles apart.

The land mass between the two capitals saw some of the bloodiest fighting during the fight for Southern independence.

Top 10 Things to do In Charleston, SC | tenthingstodoin.com

Charleston, SC is truly a resplendent place. This old South town has much to offer the traveler from museums, to stately mansions and some of the best food in Dixie. It’s location on the coast and history in the civil war make it a cultural South Carlina gem. Due to it’s architectural heritage it has some of the most photogenic streets. . Charleston is very friendly to your feet, everything is just 20 min walk away. Get out there and get lost in the angelic neighborhoods of the Old South. Shop at The Old City Market on North Market Street. 4 blocks of local artisinal crafts housed in several hundred year old brick buildings. Tour an estate home, there are several to choose from and learn about the histories of the families that made Charleston so opulent. Try Edmondston-Alston house on East Battery.

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