Gorge Wall

Fort Sumter was designed with its strength toward the sea, while the gorge, the lightly armed rear wall facing inland, was vulnerable to attack from Morris Island. Early shelling left the gorge wall in ruins. Continued bombardment reduced the gorge to rubble, but Confederate soldiers and slaves reinforced the debris with sandbags and cotton bales, creating an earthwork that made the fort stronger than ever.

James Island, South Carolina · United States