THUNDER IN THE HARBOR: Fort Sumter and the Civil War

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Examines the intricacies, complexities, and importance of this initial campaign for Fort Sumter and Charleston to the overall American Civil War. The bombardment and surrender of Sumter were only the beginning of the story. For two years, the fort with its 84 heavy guns and a 500-man garrison remained mostly untested. That changed in July 1863 with the start of a grueling 22-month land and sea siege that included ironclad attacks, land assaults, raiding parties, and siege operations. The shelling had rendered Fort Sumter almost unrecognizable, but both sides understood the military significance of the fort and the busy seaport. Contains 64 images and 3 maps.