Charleston in the Civil War

It is fitting that we begin our suggested battlefield road trips with Charleston, SC where the Civil War began.

Please click on link below for map.

Start your visit to historic  Charleston by taking a city tour to get a good overview of the sights.  Most tours will include a stop at Battery and White Point Gardens and a quick trip to The Citadel. 

Spend the afternoon visiting Fort Sumter. The battle of Fort Sumter began on April 10, 1861 when Brig. Gen. Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston demanded the surrender of the fort's Union garrison. Garrison commander Robert Anderson refused and on April 12th, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort. At 2:30 pm on April 13th, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter. The fort located in Charleston Harbor can only be reached by boat from the National Park Service visitor center.

The next day drive to Fort Moultrie which has a long history from Revolutionary War to World War II.  Major Anderson abandoned this for when he moved the garrison to Fort Sumter. 

Take a trip out of town to visit Drayton Hall, Boone Hall Plantation, and/or Middleton Place Plantation.

Spend a morning at The Old City Market/Daughters Of The Confederacy Museum and Charleston Museum.  Visit the HL Hunley which was the first successful combat submarine in world history when eight men entered an experimental vessel with a mission to sink the USS Housatonic. You might also want to take a Civil War Walking Tour of Charleston.

Take your time to enjoy this historic city and its many fine restaurants.

Please check out the following guides:

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Revised 01/02/2009