Day 2 - The Harborage at Ashley Marina, Charleston, South Carolina: October 22, 2020
Marc- We decided to explore Charleston for a second day and walked a lot (6.5 miles). Our first march was across town to the Fort Sumter National Historical Park Headquarters on Gadsden wharf. This wharf was a major slave trade portal. A museum here explains how South Carolina seceded from the union after Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, then 5 other states followed, and the Confederate States of America was born. Ft. Sumter was in Federal hands, the Confederate forces tried to get control of the fort without a fight, but the Federal forces had their orders and would not leave. A battle ensued on April 12, 1861 and this was the beginning of the Civil War. The Confederate forces bombarded the Fort for 34 hours and then the Federal forces surrendered. Ft. Sumter remained in Confederate hands until 1865 despite years of many attempts by Federal Forces to regain possession. We took the tour boat out to visit Ft. Sumter that had been pulverized during the Civil War and then rebuilt as part of harbor defenses during the Spanish-American War in 1899. Several National Park Rangers gave historical talks about the Park and its significance. We also passed the USS Yorktown (1945-1970) with its flight deck filled with jet aircraft on our return trip to Charleston. Our return walk to the marina was marked by some shopping on King Street, a walk though the beautiful College of Charleston, and admiration of the very beautiful antebellum homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment