12 April 2011

Anniversary: First Shots of the Civil War

A solemn ceremony in Charleston marked the 105th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War.


Several hundred people strolled up to the bandstand at the Battery early today, solemnly listening to a brass ensemble play a 25-minute program of hymns.

The plaintive sound of the music rolled across White Point Garden to the walkway along the harbor’s edge, where several hundred more awaited the ceremonial parting of the light beam shining from Fort Sumter. The music began on time; the light didn’t split until about 13 minutes later. There was no explanation for the delay, but organizers at the Battery suspected technical problems.

The beams angled in different directions, signifying the directions taken by the Union and the Confederacy after the first shot was fired at 4:30 a.m. April 12, 1861.

By: Brant

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