This Day in History: The Civil War Begins

(US MEDIA GROUP) – On this day in history, April 12th, 1861, the United States of America was on the brink of a conflict that would change the course of its history forever. The Civil War, one of the most significant events in American history, began with the attack on Fort Sumter, a Union-held fort, in Charleston Bay, South Carolina. At 4:30 am, Confederates under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard fired upon Fort Sumter, which was defended by just 85 soldiers under the leadership of U.S. Major Robert Anderson. The Confederate forces had been given the order to take control of the fort, which was strategically located at Charleston Harbor, for months prior to the attack. For more than 34 straight hours, the Confederate batteries relentlessly bombarded Fort Sumter, causing significant damage and making it almost impossible for the Union soldiers to defend it. Despite their valiant efforts, Major Anderson and his men were no match for the powerful Confederate forces, and on April 13th, 1861, they were forced to surrender the fort. The fall of Fort Sumter was a turning point that sparked the Civil War, which would last for four bloody years. Just two days after the...