Pensacola.

This is coolbert:

Never heard of this before. 

Before there was Fort Sumter there was Pensacola? First combat action of the American Civil War?

Thanks to the tip from Freeper and the archives of the New York Times.

"THE NATIONAL TROUBLES: The Commander of the Pensacola Navy-Yard and Secretary Toucey; THE DISUNION CRISIS (1/24/1861)"

"WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan 23. THE LATE COMMANDER AT PENSACOLA. Capt. ARMSTRONG, late Commandant at the Pensacola Navy-yard, had a personal interview with Secretary TOUCEY to-day, and detailed the circumstances attending his surrender. Official judgment is suspended till a written report shall be made. He says he only had twenty-three instead of sixty men, to oppose five hundred and fifty assailants; so resistance was useless. Not mere than one-twentieth of those employed in the yard remained true to the Government."

CITIZENS OF FLORIDA SUBSEQUENT TO THE SECESSION OF SEVERAL STATES OF THE UNION ATTACKING FEDERAL MILITARY FACILITIES. WAY BEFORE THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER [APRIL OF THE SAME YEAR, 1861].

"Around midnight of January 8, 1861 the small garrison of Fort Barrancas repelled a group of local men intent on taking the fort. Some historians suggest that these were the first shots fired by United States forces in the Civil War."

Justification for suppression of the secessionist movement [deemed the American Civil War] the seizure of federal property and attacks on same by the military units of the rebellious states in Confederation. 

As at Fort Sumter. And before that Pensacola.

coolbert.