The bombardment was to begin with the firing of a signal round from a mortar at Fort Johnson, the hitherto abandoned colonial fort. Early orders issued before the final ultimatum had indicated this would be done at eight p.m. Beauregard assigned the honor of firing the first actual combat shot to the Palmetto Guard, which in turn offered it to Ruffin. This was to be fired immediately after the signal round. Ruffin was thrilled. “Of course I was highly gratified by the compliment, and delighted to perform the service,” Ruffin wrote. His designated cannon was one of the big sixty-four-pounders
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