THE EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON
What happened in the days leading up to the surrender of Charleston, and the death of Lizzie Skipper

THE BURNING OF COLUMBIA
When the capital of South Carolina fell to Sherman, southern fears were realized

THE SUDERS OF CHARLESTON
William Henry Suder was transporting soldiers to safety when his engine exploded days before the end of the Civil War

THE ORPHAN HOUSE OF CHARLESTON
When Willie and John were left without parents in the devastated southern city at the end of the war, they became inmates of the famous institution

1865 - A CITY IN RUINS
Charleston was photographed by the Union Navy in April 1865, creating an awesome record of a city in ruins.
 

1865
While the southern coastal city suffered four years of civil war, including a major urban catastrophe, a two-year long naval bombardment, and a fiery retreat by defenders, it is said that 40 percent of Charleston’s pre-war buildings survived.

In April 1865, after the undefended city was overtaken by Federals, Gen. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, the Union Navy sent a photographic expedition to Charleston to survey the wartime damage.

Many of the photos offered here were taken by Matthew Brady’s staff and Naval photographers just months after the evacuation of Charleston. Together, these photos provide an interesting overview of just how Charleston looked at the end of the American Civil War.

 


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