Fort Sumter

          Fort Sumter can be found in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.  It was a large 5 sided fort built on a man made island.  In 1861 this strong fort was occupied by soldiers from the north.

          During this time, the northern states wanted the southern states to free their slaves.  The southern states wanted to leave the United States and start their own country.  The southern armies wanted Fort Sumter.  The Civil War began when the southern armies fired on and captured Fort Sumter in April 1861.

Stats:

·        thickness of brick walls: 5 ft.

·        height of walls: 50 ft.

·        length of 4 sides: 170-190 ft.

·        Fort Sumter was built to hold 650 men and 135 cannons

·        number of northern solders inside fort for battle: 80 men

·        number of southern solders outside fort for battle: 500 men

·        length of battle: 34 hours

·        number of solders killed: 0