The Flag of The Citadel Battery (Artillery) – is famous for it being one of the first Flags raised in “defiance” of Federal Forces stationed at Ft. Sumter. The Fort (the last of the major Federally control defensive structures in The South), had become a “sore point” for the recently separated South Carolina Government. All attempts to resupply The Fort failed (ships coming under heavy coastal artillery fire). It was on the morning of April 12, 1861 – at 4:30 AM, that The Citadel Battery opened fire on Ft. Sumter (thus starting The Civil War in earnest). The Flag was based on the traditional symbol of South Caroling (The Palm Tree). The Red field was representative of the traditional color of Artillery. The flag would continue as the colors of the well known Southern Military College – The Citadel, for many years.