The First Death

Considered to be the first casualty of the Civil War, Daniel Hough died April 14th 1861 in an accident when Fort Sumter surrendered.


The Union garrison at Fort Sumter surrendered at 2:30 pm April 14th 1861 to Confederate troops. At this point no one had been killed on either side throughout the bombardment. As part of the condition of the Union withdrawal there was a 100 gun salute to the United State flag. During this salute when the 47th round was fired, a spark caused a pile of cartridge to blow up, killing Private Daniel Hough, and injuring the rest of the gun crew. Hough was an emigrant from Tipperary Ireland and was about 36 years old. He had enlisted in the United State Army in 1849, and as a regular army soldier was stationed at Fort Sumter. Hough’s military records described him as about 5’8” with a light complexion, blue eyes and gray hair. He was an artillerist. No one know where he was buried, but it is thought Hough had a brother, two sisters, and a mother living in New York City.

The salute was halted at 50 shots. The flag from Fort Sumter was carried north, where is would become a rallying symbol for the Union.