During the Civil War, the month of June of 1862 was a pivotal moment in American history. If Federal forces could capture Charleston, the gateway to the South, it would cripple the Confederacy. Impatient with their Naval blockade of its central harbor, the Union Army decides to pursue another approach for seizing the Holy City by overrunning a small fort on James Island. There, a Southern planter named Colonel Thomas Gresham Lamar, holds the keys to that back door approach as the commander of the Tower Battery in the hamlet of Secessionville.
Video
The Confrontation Confederate forces at the Tower Battery push back against the Union's advancement toward their position. Citadel professor Dr. Kyle Sinisi guides us through the military maneuvers...
Video
The Battle Confederate and Union forces clash in a short, bloody fight. Citadel professor Dr. Kyle Sinisi guides us through the military maneuvers that climaxed on June 16, 1862.
Video
Charleston Museum curator, Grahame Long, recounts the story of the war's most renowned Parrott gun and its deadly ordnance: Greek Fire.
Video
Home field advantage is key, especially in battle. College of Charleston's Dr. Scott Harris is very familiar with the muck that changed the odds in the Battle of Secessionville.
Lesson
Leveraging a KWL chart, this lesson activates students' prior knowledge of Civil War medicine before delving into the history of Fort Lamar. Through analysis of primary and fictional sources, students...
Lesson
Students delve into Fort Lamar's history and the Civil War through a documentary. Analyzing photographs and recreating a soldier's belongings, they explore how artifacts offer unique insights into the...
Lesson
In this lesson, students will analyze historical photographs of Fort Lamar and the Battle of Secessionville to understand the role of artillery during the Civil War. By comparing visuals with a...
Lesson
This lesson explores Fort Lamar and the Civil War's early years, then analyzes soldier letters from the Battle of Secessionville to highlight the value of primary documents in understanding personal...
Lesson
In this lesson, students will explore the Battle of Secessionville through a documentary film and then analyze two historical maps to understand the battle's location, troop positions, and the...
Lesson
This lesson delves into the story of Robert Smalls, a pivotal figure in the Civil War, and explores the changing role of African Americans during the conflict. Students will analyze Smalls' actions...
