Charleston History

[tenfed1861]

Gentlemen,
Next week,I will be heading down to Charleston,SC, with my father and his honors students.The week wil be spent pretty much talking of the history of Chuck-town.We will be talking of seccession,Sumter,the Hunley,Star of the West,the 54th,the seige,ect.I am wanting to review though so I don't look like a fool in front of the students.Anyone know of a good site to help?I am kind of hesitent to go looking on line because I don't want to get some extreme left or right wing stuff,or stuff that is historically bull dung.So I figure this would be the best place to ask since it seems on here,people know their stuff.
Cullen

[Trish Hasenmueller]

Re: Charleston History

Here's a link to a Harper's article from the Making of America web site featuring sights to see in Charleston in 1857. It's really fun to compare what you see now with what they feature in the article. Many of the structures still exist.

http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/pageviewer?frames=1&coll=moa&view=50&root=%2Fmoa%2Fharp%2Fharp0015%2F&tif=00011.TIF&cite=http%3A%2F%2Fcdl.library.cornell.edu%2Fcgi-bin%2Fmoa%2Fmoa-cgi%3Fnotisid%3DABK4014-0015-3

Trish Hasenmueller

[sam.p]

Re: Charleston History

Check out the Citadel website for some Citadel Civil War history.

http://www3.citadel.edu/brief-history

Cordially,
Sam Patterson

[Richmond Depot]

Re: Charleston History

While visiting Charleston, if you have any free time,I highly reccomend a visit to the UDC Hall / Museum. it is a well kept secret.

Give my regards to Ms. Wells the curator.

Best,

[SCTiger]

Re: Charleston History

I would also drive to Sullivan's Island and inspect Fort Moultrie, Battery Marshall on the other end of the island is where the H. L. Hunley left. I am also a fan of the Customs House and downtown, James and John's Island have a few obscure sites, like Fort Lamar. Of course Fort Sumter is always worth the trip alone.

Make sure to hit the Visitors Center and sign-in, let them know why you are there. My state seems to be oblivious to the economic dynamo which is history tourism, they are more bent on paving over every historic site. They aren't appreciative enough of the tourism generated by the war. If you have a chance, visit the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum in Columbia. The Relic Room's web site is:

http://www.crr.sc.gov/

They can help with the material and they are some of the most professional historians in the state. Lot's of great exhibits and fine people there, and that's another "hidden" historical treasure.

BTW thanks for visiting.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Charleston History

Hallo!

"We will be talking of seccession,Sumter,the Hunley,Star of the West,the 54th,the seige,ect.I am wanting to review though so I don't look like a fool in front of the students"

Not to be seen, or perceived, as coming across as negative, but...
You have invested just a week to accomplish this task while others have invested a life time and only scratched the Surface?

Being positive, the best of luck, and have a enjoyable and rewarding visit. Every piece of the Whole contributes to one's knowledge. And thanks for the desire to learn!

Regards,

Curt

[Johnny Lloyd]

Must see this in Charleston!

Hello-

Being a graduate of the Last All-Male Class of The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina and a former resident of Charleston (I'll get back there to live soon enough when I get a job there, promise you that! Anyone got a job there in Logistics??? ;)), I urge you to see the Washington Light Infantry building on Meeting Street about a block or so toward the Battery from Marion Square.
Now, you'll have to call them first and see IF they will let you in, as the building is a like private club and only admits members. But I have heard they have a wonderful collection of relics from all periods, including the Civil War. The were an actual unit that fielded 3 companies of infantry during the Late Unpleasantness.

Here's their website: http://washingtonlightinfantry.org/

Unfortunately, I never had the time to see their collection firsthand. If you go, take pictures and post them on here if they allow you to take pictures. I'd be interested to hear what is there now for when I get to go finally.

I spoke to a Mr. Neal Moore there and he said if you coordinate with them, they have a collection of relics going all the way back to the Revolutionary War with many Civil War artifacts too. He also says there is extensive firsthand documentation there and you can see it if you priorly arrange it with them! Call them at 843-722-1807

Unfortunately, I never had the time to see their collection firsthand. If you go, take pictures and post them on here if they allow you to take pictures. I'd be interested to hear what is there now for when I get to go finally.

All the best- Johnny Lloyd

[Gary of CA]

Re: Charleston History

Don't forget the Charleston City Museum (might as well see the Manigault house too) as it has an excellent collection of firearms including a British seven barrel Nock Volley gun. Seminole Chief Osceloa (sp?) is buried right outside the entrance to Fort Moultrie so if you go there as SCTtiger suggested, don't overlook it. Seccessionville has a marker, but I don't think it's worth driving over there just to see it. It's mostly private land and inaccessible. The Battery (at the confluence of the Ashley & Cooper River) is also well worth seeing (besides, it's walking distance from the UDC Museum, Washington Light Infantry & boat dock for Fort Sumter). There's plenty of old guns displayed at The Battery. BTW, the Harris Tweeter grocery store use to have sammiches for $1 on either Tuesday or Thursday.