Economy cutting into Civil War Ceremony Budget

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Planners envision a re-enactment of the bombardment of Fort Sumter as part of South Carolina’s observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

But there is a challenge - finding money in a tough economy for such observances in the state where the war began.

Historians also want to relate the history of slaves freed on the sea islands during the war and perhaps have a ceremony marking passage of the Ordinance of Secession. The 150th anniversary of that event is next year.

The state of Virginia is well along with its planning and holds a conference in Richmond this April on conditions as the nation headed toward civil war.

Organizers say it’s the nation’s first Civil War sesquicentennial event.