The Battle of Secessionville occurred on June 16, 1862 in the American Civil War. It was the only attempt of the Union forces to capture the city of Charleston, South Carolina by land. June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the... Charleston, South Carolinas oldest city Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat Nickname: The Holy City, The Palmetto City Founded 1670 Incorporated County Berkeley and Charleston Counties Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. ...

The Federals, under the command of General Henry Benham landed 6,500 men from the 8th Michigan, 7th Connetticut, 28th Massachusetts, and 79th New York Highlanders on the southeastern end of James Island, South Carolina and marched toward Charleston. However, Shanks Evans, who commanded less than half that number of Confederate forces, made up of troops from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, met the Northern troops at a fort at Secessionville commanded by Colonel T. G. Lamar and routed them. The Union suffered 683 casualties (107 dead), compared to 204 (52 dead) by the Confederates. Although the battle was minor, it served as a powerful propaganda victory, increasing morale particularly in Charleston and offsetting recent Confederate losses in the west. James Island is a town or community in Charleston County, South Carolina. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Official languages English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford (R) Senators Lindsey Graham (R) Jim DeMint (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 40th 82,965 km² 6 Population  - Total (2000)  - Density Ranked 26th 4,012,012 51. ... State nickname: Tar Heel State; Old North State Official languages English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Governor Michael Easley (D) Senators Elizabeth Dole (R) Richard Burr (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 28th 139,509 km² 9. ... North Korean propaganda showing a soldier destroying the United States Capitol building. ...

Benham had acted against orders in attempting to take James Island, and he was subject to court martial after the loss. Although the numbers involved were small, the stakes were high. The Union would continue to attempt to starve and attack Charleston for the rest of the war, and, had the Union succeeded, the "Fort Lamar" at Secessionville (which had been named not for the secession of South Carolina, but for an earlier attempt of some plantation owners to rebel) would have controlled the harbor. A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ...

References

• Foote, Shelby. The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol. 1: "Fort Sumter to Perryville." New York: Vintage Books, 1958. p. 473.

External links

• The South Carolina Historical Society page on the battle
• A history of the battle