We left Charleston and took our own boat out to see Fort Sumter. The only way to get there is by boat, so rather than pay a cruise boat to take us there, we took ourselves. We anchored just outside and took the dinghy into the dock.
It was a huge, tall dock meant for the big tour boats. We had quite a climb to the top. When we got to the gate it was locked and didn’t open for another half an hour. We waited. Pretty soon the tour boat showed up. All the park rangers that had to open the park were on this boat. They got off while the captain gave the tourists instructions about leaving and getting back on time. It was great for us, we walked right in with the rangers and I took some photos before 100 other people arrived. It was also good because we were able to listen to the history talk given to the people from the boat.
Did you know the first shot of the Civil War was shot at Fort Sumter. Here’s a brief history. The Union had several forts in the area. Fort Sumter was first built after the War of 1812.They literally built the island by bringing in stone from New England. It was started in 1829 and not yet completed by 1860 when South Carolina seceded from the union. Army Major Anderson moved all 112 of his troops from near by forts to Fort Sumter. South Carolina was demanding the President give up the fort but he declined. This along with the secession heated up things which made Major Anderson make his move. South Carolina saw this as an act of war. The first shot was shot from nearby Fort Johnson by cadets from the Citadel, Fort Sumter and to the Fort. Heavy shelling lasted only one day before Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter. The fort had not been completed and many of the cannons were not set up yet and they were not able to provision appropriately for food and other necessities. There is an incredible amount of history at the fort, but I gave you a small tidbit. We found one piece of information in the museum that was not in the history talks. After the Civil War ended, Major Anderson went back to Fort Sumter and raised the American flag. That was the same day that President Lincoln was shot.
It was great to be there on our boat. When all the tour boat people left, we were the only ones left in the fort, except a few rangers. We had the place to ourselves. By the time we were leaving the next boat was letting people off. Great timing!
It is amazing what we are learning on this trip. I hope you are enjoying learning too.
Thanks for reading,
Karen and Scott
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