These views show the result of the bombardment from August 17 to 23, 1863.
The object was to force the surrender of the
Fort and thus effect an entrance into
Charleston.
The report of
Colonel John W. Turner, Federal chief of artillery runs: “The fire from the breaching batteries upon
Sumter was incessant, and kept up continuously from daylight till dark, until the evening of the 23d. . . . The fire upon the gorge had, by the morning of the 23d, succeeded in destroying every gun upon the parapet of it. The parapet and ramparts of the gorge were completely demolished for nearly the entire length of the face, and in places everything was swept off down to the arches, the
debris forming an accessible ramp to the top of the ruins.
Nothing further being gained by a longer fire upon this face, all the guns were directed this day upon the southeasterly flank, and continued an incessant fire throughout the day. The demolition of the
Fort at the close of the day's firing was complete, so far as its offensive powers were considered.”
So fared
Sumter.
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Where shot and shell struck Sumter |
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Some of the 450 shot a day |
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The Lighthouse above the debris |
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