VOA慢速英语:First Shots of the Civil War Fired at Fort Sumter

短语讲解：

1. The cannons were in the open at the top of the fort, where the gunners were not protected.
 
at the top of 在…顶上
例句：The birds chirp merrily at the top of tree. 
鸟儿在枝头欢快地啾啾鸣唱。 

2. U.S. Navy sailors could see the smoke a few miles outside Charleston Harbor.

a few 少许， 少数; 一点点
例句：She had no alternative but to ask for a few days' leave. 
实在不得已, 她只好请几天假。 

3. “I come from General Beauregard," Wigfall said. Beauregard commanded the Confederate troops in Charleston.

come from 来自某处; 出生于
例句：Where will all this innovation come from?
这些创新来自哪里？

4. Anderson was ready to stop fighting.

be ready to 预备，即将; 甘于
例句：You should be ready to solve any problem that may come along. 
你应该随时准备解决可能出现的问题。