The type of artillery prominently used by the Confederacy during the bombardment was Smoothbore cannons.

During the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the Confederacy prominently employed smoothbore cannons as their main artillery. These cannons, which lacked rifling in the barrel, were effective for short-range attacks and could fire solid shots, explosive shells, and grapeshot. Although they were less accurate than rifled cannons, smoothbore artillery was widely utilized during the Civil War due to its ease of production and reliability. The Confederate forces used these cannons to launch a relentless assault on Fort Sumter, showcasing their artillery capabilities and playing a key role in the fort's eventual surrender on April 13, 1861.