This short pictorial history documents the first shot of the Civil War, the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12-13, 1861. Historians Robert N. Rosen and Richard W. Hatcher III have gathered, in one book, more illustrations and photographs about the First Shot than can be found in any other previous book. Here the reader will find the dramatic story–in words and pictures–of the leaders, personalities, soldiers, forts, and the dramatic artillery bombardment itself, all under one cover.