Today in History:

Charleston Harbor I

Battle Name: Charleston Harbor I
Other Names: Fort Sumter
State: South Carolina
Location: Charleston County
Campaign: Operations against Defenses of Charleston (1863)
Dates: April 7, 1863
Principal Commanders: Rear Adm. S.F. Du Pont [US]; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard [CS]
Forces Engaged: 9 warships
Estimated Casualties: 36 total (US 22; CS 14)
Description: In April, Maj. Gen. David Hunter prepared his land forces on Folly, Cole's, and North Edisto Islands to cooperate with a naval bombardment of Fort Sumter. On April 7, the South Atlantic Squadron under Rear Admiral S.F. Du Pont bombarded Fort Sumter, having little impact on the Confederate defenses of Charleston Harbor. Although several of Hunter’s units had embarked on transports, the infantry were not landed, and the joint operation was abandoned. The ironclad warships Keokuk, Weehawken, Passaic, Montauk, Patapsco, New Ironsides, Catskill, Nantucket, and Nahant participated in the bombardment. Keokuk, struck more than 90 times by the accurate Confederate fire, sunk the next day.
Results: Confederate victory (Warships were repulsed.)

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