After the bombardment ended and the Union forces surrendered, they raised a white flag to signify their capitulation.

After the bombardment of Fort Sumter ended, the Union forces raised a white flag to signify their surrender. Following 34 hours of intense artillery fire from Confederate forces, Major Robert Anderson and his men realized they could no longer defend the fort. The white flag was a traditional symbol of capitulation, indicating that they sought to cease hostilities and negotiate terms of surrender. This moment marked a significant turning point in American history, as it not only resulted in the loss of the fort for the Union but also ignited a full-scale conflict that would escalate into the Civil War.