Sumter
1861
This quick sketch by Alfred Waud captures Fort Sumter in 1861, right around the time the American Civil War kicked off. Waud was a famous artist-correspondent who rushed to the front lines to sketch history as it happened, and this drawing shows the fort sitting low in the water, surrounded by ships. It looks peaceful here, but this specific location is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in April 1861. Waud's sketches act like visual journalism from the 19th century, giving us a raw, on-the-ground look at major historical events.
Views: 4