Yes, Fort Sumter was largely constructed by enslaved African Americans. Their forced labor was indispensable in building the strategic coastal fortification in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
The construction of Fort Sumter, which began in 1829 and continued for decades, relied heavily on the brutal system of chattel slavery for its workforce. Like many major public works projects in the antebellum South, its completion was a testament to the coerced contributions of enslaved individuals.
The Indispensable Role of Enslaved Laborers
Enslaved African Americans were integral to nearly every phase of Fort Sumter's construction. Their labor was not only physically demanding but often highly specialized, showcasing a range of skills essential for such a monumental engineering feat.
Key roles performed by enslaved laborers included:
- Laborers: Engaged in fundamental tasks such as digging, moving heavy materials, and general construction.
- Boat Hands: Crucial for transporting building materials, including stone and bricks, across the harbor to the artificial island where the fort was situated.
- Bricklayers: Skillfully laying the millions of bricks that formed the fort's robust walls and intricate structures.
- Carpenters: Involved in framing, installing timber, and crafting various wooden components necessary for the fort.
- Stone Masons: Expertly shaping and setting the massive stone blocks that formed the fort's foundation and critical structural elements.
- Plasterers: Contributing to the finishing and integrity of the fort's interior surfaces.
Records, such as payroll documents, sometimes list the names of these enslaved people, providing a rare and important historical account of their presence and contributions. However, it is a stark reminder of the injustices of slavery that any sums listed beside their names on these payrolls were paid directly to their enslavers, not to the individuals who performed the laborious and skilled work themselves.
The Legacy of Forced Labor
The reliance on enslaved labor for the construction of Fort Sumter highlights a critical aspect of American history: how the institution of slavery underpinned much of the nation's infrastructure development, particularly in the Southern states. This fort, which later became the flashpoint of the American Civil War, stands as a lasting monument to the forced contributions of countless enslaved men and women whose labor built a significant piece of American history.
For more information on the construction of Fort Sumter and its history, you can visit the National Park Service website on the building of the forts.
