Siege of Fort Sumter

Union artillery shells remain embedded in the brick from one of the longest sieges in U.S. military history. During 1863-1865, batteries on Morris Island, about one mile away, and guns on Union warships shelled this Confederate stronghold for 22 months. The bombardment, primarily from Morris Island, destroyed the gorge wall and severely damaged the left face wall. The bullet-shaped shells embedded there were fired from powerful rifled cannon, whose spiral grooves gave the shells spin and increased their accuracy, range, and destructive power. Rifled shells could also be larger and heavier than the older round shot fired from smoothbore cannon.

James Island, South Carolina · United States