Captain Stephen D. Lee, CSA wrote on April 13, 1861 that, “We then proceeded at once to Fort Johnson (James Island), which we reached at 4 a. m. (April 12), and to Captain George S. James, commanding at that post, gave the order to open fire at the time indicated. His first shell was fired at 4:30 a. m…..” Lee later said that, “A thrill went through the whole city.
'It was felt that the Rubicon was passed'
Wade Hampton Gibbes and the first shot of the War
