Today April 12th is the 159th anniversary of the start of the #AmericanCivilWar in 1861.
The war started when the Confederate army bombarded the Union held Fort Sumter which was on an island in #SouthCarolina not far from #Charleston. #IrishAmerican #IrelandsMilitaryStory

Approximately 200,000 Irish born men fought in the War, the number of Irish on Union side far outweighed the Irish in the Confederacy. Around 150 Irish born men who fought in the civil war were recipients of the USA’s highest military award the #MedalofHonor for their bravery.

Most historians believe that number will rise as more Irish born are identified through ongoing extensive genealogical research. #IrishMedalofHonor #AmericanCivilWar #Irishdiaspora #Ireland

Brigadier General Beauregard, in command of the provisional Confederate forces at Charleston, South Carolina, demanded the surrender of the Union garrison of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Garrison commander Anderson refused. #SouthCarolina #ACW

On April 12, Confederate guns opened fire on the fort without any effective reply from the Union forces. 2.30pm April 13, Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter, evacuating the garrison the next day. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of American Civil War.

There were no casualties during the bombardment. The Confederate forces numbered 500, with 80 on the Union side. Two days after the bombardment the war claimed it’s first casualty, it was an Irishman. #IrishAmericans #ACW

Daniel Hough from Tipperary serving in 1st United States Artillery Regiment who died accidentally during a 100-gun salute to the flag after the surrender of the Fort when his gun misfired and killed him.
#IrelandsMilitaryStory #IrishAmerican #AmericanCivilWar
#IrishDiaspora #MOH