03087 - Parapet of Fort Putnam; with stacks of ammunition, April 1865 [LC-DIG-cwpb-03087]
The Union forces gave up Fort Sumter after little more than a day of shelling due to a lack of ammunition to return fire. Such was not the case with the Confederates who defended the for nearly two years and suffered great damage, but never the ability to return fire.
This position was photographed by Mathew Brady in April of 1865 and shows what appears to be a peaceful well maintained defensive position. In reality, Fort Sumter had been one of the more besieged positions during the war and while this corner of the fort may appear tranquil, it was far from it prior to the Union re-capture in February of 1865. This image was taken near the anniversary of the fort's capture by Confederate troops four years earlier.
![03087 - Parapet of Fort Putnam; with stacks of ammunition, April 1865 [LC-DIG-cwpb-03087]](/img/s/v-10/p1466037780-3.jpg)