Fort Sumter Fort Sumter Fort Sumter is a sea fort in Charleston, South Carolina, notable for two battles of the American Civil War. It was one of a number of special forts planned after the War of 1812, combining high walls and heavy masonry, and classified as Third System, as a grade of structural integrity. Work started in 1829, but was incomplete by 1860, when South Carolina seceded from the Union. The First Battle of Fort Sumter began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery fired on the Union garrison. These were the first shots of the war and continued all day,
Daniel Hough Regiment. After reenlistment at Fort Moultrie in 1859, Hough was assigned to Battery E of the same regiment. In January 1861, Battery E was relocated to Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, where it stayed until the Battle of Fort Sumter. On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter came under attack. It is unknown where Hough served during the battle, but along with the rest of the garrison, he came through the battle unscathed and was present on April 14 during the 100-gun salute to the flag after the surrender. Hough was assigned to the 47th gun of the salute. Soon after