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It all began at Fort Sumter. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union. Five days later, 68 federal troops stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, withdrew to Fort Sumter, an island in Charleston Harbor.The North considered the fort to be the property of the United States government.ive days later, 68 federal troops stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, withdrew to Fort Sumter, an island in Charleston Harbor. The North considered the fort to be the property of the United States government.
Thus the Battle of Fort Sumter came to an end, but it was just the spark that lit the mighty fire of war. Sadly, many lives would be lost over the next four years, before the mighty scourge  came to an end. In February 1865, Union forces under General William T. Sherman took Charleston, and recaptured Fort Sumter.