Virtual Trivia

Question 12: Startling News

April 12, 2021

Lithograph of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter by Currier & Ives From the Library of Congress.

On April 15, 1861 Anna Marie Resseguie wrote in her journal about this event that occurred three days before (160 years ago, today)

  1. Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the United States
  2. Federal troops burn arsenal at Harpers Ferry
  3. Fort Sumter bombarded by the South Carolina Militia
    4.
  4. Robert E. Lee accepts command of Virginia Forces

“Startling news,” Anna Marie writes, "Fort Sumter is evacuated.” The Battle of Fort Sumter is generally held to mark the start of the American Civil War. In the months after secession, South Carolinian forces seized all Federal property in the Charleston area except for Fort Sumter, where Major Anderson and a small force were essentially besieged. After a 34 hour bombardment beginning at 4:30am on April 12, Anderson and his men evacuated the fort. There were no deaths on either side.

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