In April 1861, Confederate batteries in Charleston Harbor bombarded Fort Sumter, forcing the surrender of Major Robert Anderson’s outmanned and undersupplied U.S. Army garrison after 34 hours. The clash grew from South Carolina’s secession, demands that federal troops leave the harbor, Anderson’s move from Fort Moultrie to the stronger but unfinished fort, and failed efforts to resupply it as Confederate forces tightened their positions. Although no one was killed during the bombardment itself, two U.S. soldiers died in a gun explosion during the surrender ceremonies. The fight is widely regarded as the opening battle of the Civil War, turning secession into open conflict.