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Siege of Charleston
Civil War Encyclopedia >> Siege
| July 6, 1863 | Rear Admiral Samuel Du Pont, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, is relieved of duty over the lack of ability of the Navy to make headway against the fortifications of Charleston, according to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. He is replaced by John Dahlgren. | |
| July 10, 1863 | Federal forces complete an amphibious landing on Morris Island near the entrance to Charleston Harbor. They will fortify the position over the next 3 weeks | South Carolina |
| Quincy A. Gillmore | ||
| July 18, 1863 | The 54th Massachusetts, comprised primarily of free blacks from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, attack Battery Wagner in Charleston Harbor, losing 30% of their men and forcing Quincey Gillmore to lay siege to the city. The film "Glory " is based on this action. |
South Carolina |
| Quincy A. Gillmore | ||
| August 1, 1863 | Federal forces begin a prolonged bombardment of entrenchments around Charleston Harbor | South Carolina |
| August 11, 1863 | Confederate forces pound Federal entrenchments on Morris Island | South Carolina |
| August 12, 1863 | Federal batteries on Morris Island open up a "ranging" barrage that will last four days | South Carolina |
| August 17, 1863 | In an impressive display of firepower, Federal batteries begin heavy shelling of Confederate positions ringing Charleston Harbor including Fort Sumter. Using Parrott rifled cannon including the 200 pound Swamp Angel, the artillery is deadly accurate and easily breaches Sumter, but no assault is forthcoming. Although the initial attack is the heaviest, Federal assaults continue off and on until September, 1864. | South Carolina |
| Fort Sumter | ||
| September 6, 1863 | P. G. T. Beauregard orders Battery Wagner and Morris Island evacuated. The evacuation is accomplished that night. | South Carolina |
| P. G. T. Beauregard | ||
| November 7, 1863 | Fort Sumter again falls under heavy shelling. It will last until November 10. | South Carolina |
| November 12, 1863 | Following a couple of quiet days, federal shelling of Fort Sumter resumes. | South Carolina |
| November 20, 1863 | Federals began heavy bombardment of Fort Sumter. It will continue, off and on, through December 4. | South Carolina |
Siege of Charleston
Longest siege of The Civil War
Fort Sumter, the outpost in Charleston Harbor where the Civil War started stood as a symbol of the radical Southerners in the eyes of both the North and the South. Two years after the bombardment of Fort Sumter Admiral David Porter decided to make a move against the fort, advancing a fleet of 9 ironclads to the harbor. The cannon of Fort Sumter dealt a serious blow to Porter's fleet an hour into the battle.
Once a naval attack was ruled out, Brigadier General Quincey A. Gillmore
Links appearing on this page:
Longest siege of The Civil War
Fort Sumter, the outpost in Charleston Harbor where the Civil War started stood as a symbol of the radical Southerners in the eyes of both the North and the South. Two years after the bombardment of Fort Sumter Admiral David Porter decided to make a move against the fort, advancing a fleet of 9 ironclads to the harbor. The cannon of Fort Sumter dealt a serious blow to Porter's fleet an hour into the battle.
Once a naval attack was ruled out, Brigadier General Quincey A. Gillmore
Links appearing on this page:
Civil War Encyclopedia >> Siege
Siege of Charleston was last changed on - November 21, 2006
Siege of Charleston was added on - October 21, 2006
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