The Battle of Fort Sumter was significantly influenced by the absence of naval forces, which affected the engagement's outcome. Although the Union Navy was nearby, it failed to offer direct support to the Union troops at the fort during the Confederate bombardment. This lack of naval assistance rendered the garrison susceptible to Confederate artillery. Furthermore, the absence of naval forces restricted the Union's capacity to effectively reinforce or supply the fort. This scenario emphasized the necessity of coordinated military strategies and illustrated the challenges encountered by Union forces in the early phases of the Civil War.