---
title: Fort Sumter Storm Flag
author: Unknown Photographer
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21941/fort-sumter-storm-flag/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-07-27
---
# Fort Sumter Storm Flag
_Authored by Unknown Photographer_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21941.jpeg)
## Image Caption
The storm flag of Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina, 1861, photograph by an unknown photographer.
After the original larger garrison flag became ripped, it was replaced by the smaller storm flag shown here, which flew over the fort during the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Fort Sumter that commenced the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/). After being forced to evacuate the fort, US soldiers brought the flag with them to New York [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), and it would eventually return exactly four years after it was taken down, on 14 April 1865, during a ceremony to commemorate the eventual recapture of the site.
National Park Service.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Photographer, U. (2026, July 27). Fort Sumter Storm Flag. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Photographer, Unknown. "Fort Sumter Storm Flag." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 27, 2026. .
### MLA
Photographer, Unknown. "Fort Sumter Storm Flag." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Jul 2026, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Sumter_storm_flag_1861.jpg)Based on [Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/ "Wikipedia") content that has been reviewed, edited, and republished. [Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Sumter_storm_flag_1861.jpg) by [**Unknown Photographer**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Sumter_storm_flag_1861.jpg). Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 27 July 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.