HOLDING CHARLESTON BY THE BRIDLE: Castle Pinckney and the Civil War

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Castle Pinckney, a pivotal fort in Charleston Harbor, influenced Civil War events from its construction in the War of 1812 through post-ACW Reconstruction. Located on a marshy island in the center of Charleston's magnificent harbor, the large cannons on the ramparts of this horseshoe-shaped masonry fort had the ability to command downtown Charleston and the busy wharves along East Bay Street. This inescapable fact made Pinckney an important chess piece in the secession turmoil of 1832 and 1850, and in the months leading up to the 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter.

Explores the fort's innovative design as part of America's 'Second System' of coastal fortifications as well as the modern challenges of preserving its weathered brick walls against rising sea levels to save archaeological evidence that tells the full story of Castle Pinckney. Contains 65 images and 1 map.