SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, South Carolina, United States — Fort Moultrie during the Civil War era (1861-1865), showcasing its strategic importance in the defense of Charleston Harbor. The fort, occupied by Confederate forces for most of the war, underwent continuous changes in armament and fortification as technology and defensive strategies evolved.
Photograph by David Coleman. Fort Moultrie, located on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, played a pivotal role in the American Civil War, particularly in the defense of Charleston Harbor. The fort's history during this period began dramatically on December 26, 1860, when Major Robert Anderson transferred his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, anticipating the coming conflict. The next day, South Carolina troops seized the unoccupied Fort Moultrie, which remained under Confederate control until February 17, 1865. Throughout the Civil War, Fort Moultrie underwent significant changes in its armament and fortifications. The Confederates continuously upgraded the fort's defenses to counter the evolving threats posed by the Union naval blockade and potential amphibious assaults. This included the installation of various types of artillery, such as the 8-inch Columbiad that was rifled and banded to improve its range and accuracy, and the 10-inch Confederate Columbiad manufactured at the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, Virginia. A painting by Conrad Wise Chapman from 1864 provides a visual record of Fort Moultrie's appearance late in the war. It shows the fort after its barracks buildings, heavily damaged by Union bombardment, had been demolished. The exposed masonry walls were then covered with protective earthen buffers, a common practice to strengthen fortifications against the increasingly powerful artillery of the era. The fort's history during this period is not just one of military engineering and strategy, but also of human stories. Jacob Stroyer, born into slavery on a plantation near Columbia, South Carolina, was among the enslaved laborers forced to work on the fortifications at Fort Moultrie and surrounding batteries. His memoir, "My Life in the South," published in 1879, offers a rare and valuable account of the experiences of enslaved people conscripted to support the Confederate war effort. Today, Fort Moultrie stands as part of the Fort Sumter Nati
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: Fort Moultrie, Sullivans Island, South Carolina, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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