Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monuments
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Fort Moultrie National Monument
Sullivan's Island in Charlestons Harbor has had a strategic significance to the safety and welfare of Charleston since before the Revolution. Sitting on the north side of the Harbor entrance, the protection of the waterway was vital to the development of Charleston. It was here at Sullivans Island that what was to become Fort Moultrie was constructed.
Although not finished at the onset of the American Revolution, a palmetto log fort had been constructed near the Harbor entrance. In June of 1776, the British fleet attacked the fort in an effort to take the harbor and the city of Charleston. After nine hours, the fleet was repelled by forces led by William Moultrie and Charleston was saved for the moment. It was the fierce battle led from the Palmetto fort that inspired the placement of the Palmetto on South Carolina's state flag and the fort was named for its brave commander. Charleston was later taken by the British four years later, surrendering the city only after a peace was signed.
For more than a decade the log fort was neglected and fell into disrepair. However when war broke out between England and France in 1793, Congress decided to beef up coastal security and by 1798, the second Fort Moultrie, one of 20 new forts along the Atlantic coast, was completed. It was later damaged by a hurricane. So in 1809 a new brick fort, the third Fort Moultrie was built on Sullivan’s Island. After the War of 1812 a second system of fortifications were constructed, including Fort Johnson on James Island and Castle Pinckney; and built in the middle of the Harbor entrance was Fort Sumter.
In December 1860, when South Carolina seceded from the Union, and the Federal garrison abandoned Fort Moultrie for the stronger Sumter. In a few months Confederate troops blasted Fort Sumter to submission. In 1863, Federal iron-clads and shore batteries began a 20-month bombardment of Sumter and Moultrie, yet Charleston’s defenses held. However the "new" rifled cannon used during the Civil War had demolished the brick-walled fortifications, and the city was evacuated by the Confederates in February 1865.
Beginning in 1870, new cannon and fortifications were built and added to and continued modifications made through the both World Wars. In the late 20th-century such coastal fortifications were becoming obsolete due to nuclear weapons and guided missiles which altered the entire concept of national defense.
Today Fort Moultrie has been restored to portray the major periods of its history. A visitor to the fort can move steadily backwards in time from the World War II Harbor Entrance Control Post to the site of the Palmetto-log fort of 1776.
Fort Sumter National Monument
Standing as a citadel in the Harbor, Fort Sumter is recalled in history as the place where the first shot was fired in the Civil War. It was April 1861 and a new President, Abraham Lincoln was taking office in Washington and a new President of the deep South Confederacy Jefferson Davis was out to secede from the Union.
A few months before, the Federal garrison had pulled out of Fort Moultrie and made their way to the unfinished yet heavily fortified Fort Sumter as South Carolina declared their succession. The move caused dismay in Charleston and Washington where discussions as to the results of such a move might lead. A series of assumptions and miss-steps on both sides created a tense situation which played into the hands of those wanting to go to war.
April 10, 1861, commander of the provisional South Carolina Confederate Forces, Brig. General Beauregard, demanded the Federal Garrison at Sumter to surrender. When the surrender ultimatum was refused by the Federal commander Major Robert Anderson, the fort was bombarded on April 12th and on the 13th the Garrison surrendered. The occupation of the Federals and subsequent surrender of the fort led to several more Southern States to join South Carolina in seceding from the Union. And the War Between the States began. Beginning in 1863, the Federal bombardment of the Charleston harbor commenced and lasted off and on until 1865. Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie both were severely damaged.
Fort Sumter was partially rebuilt in the 1870s and 1890s and was used as a harbor defense post in the Spanish American War and in both World War I and World War II. Since 1948 Fort Sumter has been recognized as a National Monument and administered and interpreted by the National Park Service.
A Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square is located adjacent to the Charleston waterfront just east of the Historic District, a ferry service to the fort can be boarded here. The Fort in the harbor is accessible only by private boat or the ferry service.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
Under the auspices of the National Park Service, and the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monuments, this Historic Site is dedicated to interpreting the life of Charles Pinckney. In an early 19th century house built on the ruins of his original coastal plantation house, Pinckney's role in the development of the United States Constitution is explored. Situated on a remnant of the original 715 acre plantation are displays of how family life was spent on his plantation along with insights into Gullah culture and slavery. The site also highlights the transition of colonial America to a young nation.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monuments, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
National Park Service Area Headquarters - 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island
phone: 843-883-3123
Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island and is accessible by car. Fort Moultrie is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except for New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. / For Fort Moultrie and National Park Service Offices for Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monuments - Call 843-883-3123 information
Fort Sumter is on an island in the middle of the harbors mouth and is accessible only by private boat or ferries at The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center Ferry Departure Facility in Downtown Charleston, or from the Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. Hours vary with the seasons, check with the National Park Service for times. / For Fort Sumter information call 843-577-0242, for the parks concessionaire, Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. call 843-881-7337 for ferry schedule.
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square at 340 Concord Street on the Cooper River in Charleston is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. / Call 843-577-0242
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is located at 1245 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. / For specific Charles Pinckney National Historic Site information call 843-881-5516
