Fort Sumter is where the first shots were fired to start the Civil War. The fort is located in Charleston Harbor. On April 12, 1861 at 4:30 AM, after weeks of tension as the Confederates demanded the Union forces under Major James Anderson, abandon the fort, Confederate commander P. G.T. Beauregard fired on the fort. By 2 PM the next day, the US forces surrendered the fort.Much of Fort Sumter is in ruins.The first shots were fired from the water directly ahead in this picture.Several casemate cannons12-pounder Mountain Howitzer8-inch (200 Pounder) Parrott15-inch Rodman8-inch Columbiad10-inch mortar, Model 1819This flag flew over Fort Sumter during the bombardment of April 12-13, 1861.