American Civil War, Great Fight at Charleston, 1863

Lithograph entitled and captioned: The great fight at Charleston, South Carolina, April 7th, 1863 between 9 United States Iron-Clads of Admiral Dupont; and Forts Sumter, Moultrie and the Cummings Point batteries in possession of the Rebels. The Iron-Clads carried only 32 guns, while the Rebel Forts mounted over 300 of the heaviest caliber, but notwithstanding the great odds, the little Iron-Clads went bravely into the fight and for nearly two hours were under the most terrible fire ever witnessed on this earth, but being unable to reach Charleston on account of obstructions in the harbor, the Admiral reluctantly gave the order for the battle to cease, and the fleet to retire from the unequal contest. The Keokuk was the only Iron-Clad disabled in the fight. The First Battle of Charleston Harbor was an engagement near Charleston, South Carolina. Firing had occupied less than two hours, and the ships had been unable to penetrate even the first line of harbor defense. After consulting with his captains, Du Pont concluded that his fleet had little chance to succeed. He therefore declined to renew the battle the next morning

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Batteries Carolina Charleston Clad Confederacy Confederate Cummings Currier Dupont Iron-clad Ironclad Ives Moultrie Pont Secession Sumter

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