Charleston, SC. Historic District Photo from East Battery Walkway, Charleston Harbor. Looking at Charlston Harbor with Fort Sumter in the background. History provides us with defining moments from which we judge where we are with where we have been. The Civil War provides the United States with one of its critical defining moments that continues to play a vital role in defining ourselves as a Nation. Fort Sumter is the place where it began. On April 10, 1861, Brig. Gen. 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. On April 12, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort. Welcome to South Carolina, where you will find world-class coastal resorts, pristine beaches, and more than 330 golf courses designed by the world's best architects. Our state parks offer experiences in diverse settings that range from scenic mountaintops to quiet, inland lakes. Whether your interests are shopping, entertainment, or getting back to nature, there is always something new to discover in South Carolina.