Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16
The Civil War began on this day in 1861 when the South Carolina militia commenced bombarding Fort Sumter. The previous December, South Carolina had demanded the U.S. Army leave Charleston Harbor. As the U.S. Army attempted to fortify Fort Sumter, South Carolina forces and officials seized federal property in Charleston and prevented a merchant ship, Star of the West, from resupplying the fort. After his inauguration on March 4, President Lincoln sent word to the governor of South Carolina that he was sending supply ships. The Confederacy then demanded the evacuation of Fort Sumter. When Major Robert Anderson refused, the artillery batteries around the harbor began the attack, which lasted 34 hours. Though no one died during the battle, two U.S. soldiers were killed in a gun explosion during the surrender ceremony.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For U.S military leaders as they oversee training and drills around the globe.
- For the president and secretary of defense as they determine the international movements of U.S. troops.
