“The first shot arced gracefully over the harbor — exploding above Fort Sumter in a “splendid pyrotechnic exhibition,” as the Mercury newspaper later reported.
It was 4:30 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 1861, and the American Civil War was underway.”

Click here to see Brian Hicks’ 27th column celebrating 350 years of Charleston history.
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And click here for links to all 27 (thus far) Hicks history columns.