All is quiet except for the surf pounding against the beach as he stands next to a large howitzer pointed at the fort. The general solemnly nods his head. Ruffin smiles and yanks the lanyard. The howitzer roars and the fiery arc of the projectile reaches out towards Ft. Sumter the crash of the first shells of the bombardment echo through the room.
Soldiers scramble from their bunks.
DAWN Soldiers scurry about trying to man the cannon while incoming shells explode everywhere. A fire breaks out near the ammunition shed. The batteries continue to pound the island fortress but occasional puffs of smoke from Sumter show that the fort is putting up a token resistance. Projectiles arc into Sumter from almost every direction. Some valiant soldiers try to man the guns but are driven back by the shore batteries.