The first battle of the Civil War was the Battle of Fort Sumter, off the coast of South Carolina, in early April 1861. A week later, something like a battle erupted in the streets of Baltimore during the Pratt Street Riots, when Union soldiers faced off with a gang of Southern sympathizers during their march through the city. Four Union soldiers and 12 citizens were killed in the shooting. The next clash was a gory three-man skirmish in a staircase in a Virginian hotel, the Marshall Inn, one month later in May.Visit us online at itshometownhistory.comSupport the show by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/itshometownhistoryEpisode Sponsors:Get a $75 credit at Indeed.com/hometown to hire great talent fastGet key nutrients - without the BS with 10% off during your first 3 months at Ritual.com/hometown Get 10% off your first month of online therapy at Betterhelp.com/hometown