Battle scene in harbor. Fort rear center. Seven ships exchanging fire at front center. Ship at forefront flying American flag off left and off right ends of ship.

On April 7, 1863, the South Atlantic Squadron bombarded Fort Sumter. The attack had little impact on the Confederate defenses of Charleston Harbor and the operation was eventually abandoned by the Union. Naval battles were among the most dramatic clashes of the Civil War and Currier & Ives dramatically illustrated them. In this print, several armored warships flying the American flag exchange artillery fire with Confederate land forces. Smoke and arcing streams of light from the bombs enhance the spectacle of the scene.

Object Creator

Currier & Ives (American, 1834-1907)

Object Creation Date

1863

Medium

Hand-colored lithograph

Dimensions

14 x 10 inches

Credit

Gift of Lenore B. and Sidney A. Alpert supplemented with Museum Acquistions Funds

Accession Number

2004.D03.635

On View?

No

Image Request

Request Image for Reproduction