I've often seen pictures of it and its location on maps, but never knew much about it. It always looked like a formidable fortification, but yet, I never read about it in war accounts.
Some repairs were made and a lighthouse was added in 1855. The fort also served as the city's arsenal.
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union and on the 27th a small group of militia "stormed" Castle Pinckney, using ladders to climb over the parapet and "captured the two Union soldiers, some women and children and about 36 mechanics and laborers. No shots were fired, but it was the first seizure of federal property.
After Fort Sumter was attacked, the Castle became a prison, holding 154 Union troops captured at the First Battle of Bull Run. I saw one picture where they were guarded by young Confederate cadets
During the war, it was heavily bombarded twice in 1863 and once in 1864, but remained in Confederate hands until Charleston fell and it was reoccupied by Union troops February 18, 1865.
After the War to the Present Next. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
