This dramatic scene depicts the South Carolina militia's (predecessor to the Confederate Army) attack on Fort Sumter. Following South Carolina's secession declaration in December 1860, local authorities demanded that the United States withdraw its forces from Charleston Harbor. Instead, U.S. Army Commander Robert Anderson moved all federal forces to Fort Sumter and waited for supplies and reinforcements. Shortly thereafter, President Buchanan set an unarmed vessel to replenish Anderson's troops, but it was intercepted by South Carolina forces. Conditions for the U.S. forces continued to deteriorate over the next few months and Confederate General Beauregard issued an ultimatum to leave but Anderson still refused. On April 12th, Confederate forces attacked the fort (with return fire from the Union troops) and eventually Anderson surrendered. While there were no fatalities on either side, this battle is generally recognized as the start of the Civil War.

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Condition: B+

There are a number of small (mostly binding) holes along the centerfold resulting in minor image loss along with an edge tear at bottom that extends 1.5" into the image that has been closed on verso with archival tape. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.