First engagement of the Civil War re-enacted at Fort Mott

First engagement of the Civil War re-enacted at Fort Mott | NJ.com

PENNSVILLE TWP. — Did you hear the thunderous booms in Salem County this Sunday afternoon?

It was only the beginning of the American Civil War.

Nothing to worry about. The war ended in 1865, but this week marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the war.

South Jersey spent the day commemorating the battle that sparked a horrific bloody war between the northern and southern states.

The battle re-enacted was the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Since the fort is closer to Charleston, SC than it is to New Jersey, Fort Delaware served as the representative of the Fort Sumter.

The event was met by many re-enactors including Dave Hann, whose great-great-grandfather was a member of the Fort Sumter volunteers and fought in the bombardment.

His name was Edward Simms and he enlisted on April 8, 1861. The confederate bombardment at Fort Sumter was only four days later.

Simms’ last day of service was on April 9, 1865, the day Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union at Appomattox in Virginia.