Fort Sumter

 Way back in August the PBS station in Alabama replayed Ken Burn's epic film The Civil War. It was in celebration of it's 20 years since first showing. You have seen it haven't you? If not, why the hell not? Even though I had seen it several times before, we watched it again, all episodes.

 Because the first shot was fired here, this place holds a significant place in history. I am far from a Civil war nut, but do enjoy history. We have in the past visited battlefields at Pea Ridge, Vicksburg and Shiloh. In fact a return visit to Shiloh is in store for us on way home.

 Many unique things about this fort. You have to take a ferry out to it, it has NOT been restored. While a center battery was built in 1890's, the exterior walls that remain are as they were post siege. Many forts were restored/rebuilt in 1930's by the CCC's. While that effort is great, always better to see the real thing. And with that a quick visit to Fort Sumter.

View when approaching via ferry. At the start of Civil War it was 3 stories hign, 55 feet high. What you see is whats left, mostly around 9 foot to 25 foot in height.

Some views of the walls of the fort

 A plaque for the Union soldiers stationed there April 12, 1961. No such plaque for Rebel forces who abandoned the fort 4 years later.

A view of Charleston from ferry. Notice the LACK of skyline. Charleston is one of the largest bulk ports on east coast. Hard to tell by skyline, or lack thereof. Charleston was leveled during Civil war. Thus nothing,or precious little, predates that time period.

 More on Charleston tomorrow. Warning, I may reset your expectation or view of Charleston.