Fort Lamar is the site of the Battle Of Secessionville.
The Battle of Secessionville (or the Battle of James Island) occurred on June 16th, 1862, in the American Civil War. It was the only attempt of the Union forces to capture the city of Charleston, South Carolina, by land. - wikipedia.org
Early June 1862, Maj. Gen. David Hunter transported Horatio G. Wright’s and Isaac I. Stevens’s Union divisions under immediate direction of Brig. Gen. Henry Benham to James Island where they entrenched at Grimball’s Landing near the southern flank of the Confederate defenses. On June 16, contrary to Hunter’s orders, Benham launched an unsuccessful frontal assault against Fort Lamar at Secessionville. Because Benham was said to have disobeyed orders, Hunter relieved him of command. - Source: CWSAC Battle Summaries
Interesting facts:
The attack on the fort was launched at approximately 4 AM in attempt to surprise the confederate forces while they slept. Some sources say the Union soldiers stayed up all night drinking, and this could have some to do with why the attack was such a failure.
From the Letter of R.L. Crawford: "I think the Yankees were all drunk," the letter jests, for "nearly every canteen was half full of liquor, the prisoners tell us their officers told them that the fort was out of ammunition, and that all they had to do was to take it and go on to Charleston. They say that their officers were drunk and that they had been drinking all night. A number of our men who were on picket say that numbers remarked that night, that the Yankees must be drunk, they judged so from the fuss they kept." - Letter of R.L. Crawford, James
The fort was named after the commanding officer, Colonel T. G. Lamar. It is said that Lamar himself commanded the eight inch cannon that fired the first shot of the battle, a canister shell full of nails, glass, and scrap metal that tore a hole through the center of the Union line.
The fort was named after the commanding officer, Colonel T. G. Lamar. It is said that Lamar himself commanded the eight inch cannon that fired the first shot of the battle, a canister shell full of nails, glass, and scrap metal that tore a hole through the center of the Union line.
Forces Engaged: 8,600 total (US 6,600; CS 2,000)
Estimated Casualties: 889 total (US 685; CS 204)
The sign at the entrance of the parking area.
Monument erected to honor veterans who served in the battle
A view of the pathway leading to the east side of the Fort. This is said to be the area where the 8 inch cannon was located that Col. Lamar operated.
An earthwork on the east side of the fort. Just past this earthwork is the marshy area where the Union soldiers launched their first attack.
A larger view of the earthwork
Another view of the earthwork.
This is a view from the west bank of the fort. All though the water level was much lower at the time of the battle, due to poor reconnaissance, the union forces were not aware of this marshy area and their advance to the fort was greatly delayed because of it. This must have been where many of the Union soldiers fell.
A view from the center section of the fort.
This site is said to be a Union mass grave.
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