(US MEDIA GROUP) – On this day in history, April 12th, 1861, the United States of America was on the brink of a conflict that would change the course of its history forever. The Civil War, one of the most significant events in American history, began with the attack on Fort Sumter, a Union-held fort, in Charleston Bay, South Carolina.
At 4:30 am, Confederates under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard fired upon Fort Sumter, which was defended by just 85 soldiers under the leadership of U.S. Major Robert Anderson. The Confederate forces had been given the order to take control of the fort, which was strategically located at Charleston Harbor, for months prior to the attack.
For more than 34 straight hours, the Confederate batteries relentlessly bombarded Fort Sumter, causing significant damage and making it almost impossible for the Union soldiers to defend it. Despite their valiant efforts, Major Anderson and his men were no match for the powerful Confederate forces, and on April 13th, 1861, they were forced to surrender the fort.
The fall of Fort Sumter was a turning point that sparked the Civil War, which would last for four bloody years. Just two days after the fort’s surrender, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to help put down the rebellion. This marked the beginning of a long and grueling war between the North (Union) and the South (Confederacy).
At the time, President Lincoln had only been in office for a little over a month, having been elected in November of the previous year. Despite his limited experience in office, Lincoln was facing one of the most significant challenges in American history. The secession of South Carolina, a slave state, had already been declared with the “Ordinance of Secession” in December, and six other states soon followed suit, forming the Confederate States of America.
The Civil War would go on for four long and brutal years, with a staggering loss of lives on both sides. It is estimated that over 620,000 Confederate and Union soldiers lost their lives in the conflict, making it the deadliest war in American history. Not only did it impact the lives of soldiers and their families, but the war also had far-reaching effects on the country’s economy, politics, and social dynamics.
The Civil War marked a pivotal moment in American history, one that would shape the nation’s future. It was a war that not only challenged the ideals of democracy and unity but also brought about sweeping changes, such as the abolition of slavery and the strengthening of the federal government’s power.
Today, on the anniversary of the start of the Civil War, let us remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for their beliefs. It is a reminder of the devastating consequences of division and a call to always strive towards unity and understanding. The Civil War may have ended over 150 years ago, but its impact continues to shape America and its people to this day.