The Bombardment of Charleston: 1863-1865

By W. Chris Phelps

"This heavily researched and insightful volume shines a bright light into a dark corner of Civil War history: the glaringly unnecessary pulverizing of civilian targets in Charleston, carried out solely to punish the city for instigating secession."

--Richard N. C t , author of Mary's World: Love, War, and Family Ties
in Nineteenth-century Charleston

"The Bombardment of Charleston: 1863-1865 vividly describes the Union army's terrible artillery war against Charleston, 'the nursery of disunion' and 'the cradle of the rebellion.' Phelps expertly fills a gap in the Civil War history of Charleston."

--Robert N. Rosen, author of Confederate Charleston

The Union army's bombardment of Charleston lasted 545 days, a record not exceeded until the siege of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) during World War II. First-time author W. Chris Phelps uses letters, diaries, and other primary documents to describe life inside the target city. By referencing military archives, he also supports the widely held contemporary belief that the shelling was prolonged by the North's desire for terror and revenge against the civilian population, and had no military purpose once the initial strategy had failed.

The Bombardment of Charleston: 1863-1865 also discusses the unprecedented technological advances that allowed Union artillery to fire effectively from as many as five miles outside the city.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589800281
• ISBN13: 9781589800281
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Insight into Civil War Charleston

After visiting Charleston, it is not possible for someone to come away without a desire to learn all they can about its history. This book is very interesting and details this important period in the history of Charleston. The reader can picture the events as if they were happening today. Another visit to Charleston will be in order once this book is read in order to see the places mentioned.

fascinating

I recently visited Charleston and took the Civil War Walk with Mr. Phelps' company. During the tour the guide, Charles Hunt, enlightened me that Charleston had been severely bombarded throughout the war. I have studied the war extensively yet never knew of the bombardment of Charleston. After the tour I purchased this book and it was a fascinating read, detailing every aspect of this little known event. If you are going to visit Charleston you should read this book and augment the volume by taking the tour as well!

Outstanding book!

This book is written by an author who is well-versed in Charleston history, yet it is written from a down-to-earth point of view. It is an excellent resource on a subject that has never really been expounded previously. Most people know Charleston only because of Fort Sumter, but this book takes you deep into the Civil War giving one a sense of what really happened in this city during the War. This is an easy-to-read historical account of the Union army's attempt to break a city. Great read for any history buff!