This Day in History – April 12, 1861 Tags: 19th century American history, 34-hour bombardment, Abraham Lincoln's presidency, American fortifications, April 12 1861, April 12 1861 history, Battle of Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, Charleston South Carolina, civil war, commemorative history, Confederate forces, first shots of the Civil War, Fort Sumter National Monument, historical photographs, Major Robert Anderson, Military, P.G.T. Beauregard, Secession Crisis, South Carolina Secession, start of the American Civil War, this day in history, this day in history 1861, This Day in History April 12, Union surrender, US History, wartime defense, Share on: Share: This is where the text will go.View our photo collection! View Collection