[Illustration: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, March 3, 1849] UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stewart L. Udall, _Secretary_ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Conrad L. Wirth, _Director_ _HISTORICAL HANDBOOK NUMBER TWELVE_ This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing the historical and archeological areas in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C. Price 25 cents. FORT SUMTER _National Monument South Carolina_ by Frank Barnes [Illustration: Cannon on parapet] NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 12 WASHINGTON, D. C., 1952 (Revised 1962) The National Park System, of which Fort Sumter National Monument is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. [Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR] _Contents_ _Page_ CONSTRUCTION OF FORT SUMTER 1 MAJOR ANDERSON MOVES GARRISON FROM MOULTRIE TO SUMTER 6 THE STAR OF THE WEST 8 PREPARATIONS FOR WAR 9 LINCOLN ORDERS A RELIEF EXPEDITION TO FORT SUMTER 10 THE CONFEDERATES DEMAND FORT SUMTER’S EVACUATION 13 THE WAR BEGINS—APRIL 12, 1861 15 CHARLESTON AND THE FEDERAL BLOCKADE—1861-63 24 FEDERAL IRONCLADS ATTACK FORT SUMTER 24 THE MORRIS ISLAND APPROACH TO FORT SUMTER 26 THE FIRST GREAT BOMBARDMENT OF FORT SUMTER 28 THE SMALL-BOAT ASSAULT 32 THE SECOND GREAT BOMBARDMENT 33 STALEMATE—SPRING OF 1864 35 FORT SUMTER STRENGTHENED 36 THE THIRD GREAT BOMBARDMENT 36 SHERMAN’S MARCH FORCES SUMTER’S EVACUATION 38 MAJOR ANDERSON RETURNS 38 FORT SUMTER AFTER 1865 40 GUIDE TO THE AREA 42