Night Attack

At this corner of the fort, Union forces made their only attempt to storm Fort Sumter during the Civil War. On the night of September 8, 1863, a Union tugboat towed 500 sailors and marines in small boats to within 400 yards of Fort Sumter, then cast them loose to assault the fort. The Confederates expected the attack, and as the leading boats landed, the defenders opened fire, hurling grenades and bricks down upon the assailants. Guns of Fort Moultrie and the Confederate gunboat Chicora also opened fire. The remaining boats retreated, and 124 Union men stranded there were killed, wounded, or captured. For the next sixteen months, Union forces continued to bombard Fort Sumter, but never attempted another landing.

South Carolina · United States