What was the name of the fort attacked by Confederate soldiers on April 12, 1861?

The fort that was attacked by Confederate soldiers on April 12, 1861, is known as Fort Sumter. This event is historically significant as it marked the beginning of the American Civil War. Located in Charleston harbor, South Carolina, Fort Sumter was a symbol of federal authority, and its attack by Confederate forces was a direct challenge to that authority.

The bombardment began early in the morning, resulting in the fort's surrender by Union Major Robert Anderson the next day. This conflict galvanized both the Union and the Confederacy, leading to a full-scale war that would last for four years. The other forts mentioned, such as Fort Wagner and Fort Donelson, played important roles during the Civil War but were involved in different battles and did not see the first shots of the conflict. Fort Henry also has its own historical significance but is associated with later events in the war, not the initial conflict that started in 1861. Thus, Fort Sumter is universally recognized as the site where the Civil War commenced.