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THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER April 12, 1861 FORT SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA Union Commander – Robert Anderson • Commander of Fort Sumter, South Carolina Abner Doubleday • Fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter Confederate Commander – P.G.T. Beauregard • Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard • Confederate Commander in Charleston, South Carolina Background • South Carolina secedes in December 1860 • Six more southern states secede by February 1861 • Feb 7, 1861 – CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA are born • Confederate forces seize all but four federal forts in their borders • President Buchanan tries to restock one of the Union forts (Fort Sumter) via a trade ship called Star of the West (attempt fails – fired upon by Citadel cadets) Abraham Lincoln • March 4, 1861 – Lincoln sworn in – Purpose of the Constitution is to make a “more perfect Union” over the AOC – AOC was perpetual, therefore the Constitutional union is perpetual – If it is simply a contract, would not all have to void it? – Stated he would not “invade” the South, nor did he intend to end slavery, but would work to keep “federal property” Jefferson Davis • Jefferson Davis is chosen as first CSA President – Stated the Constitution was an “agreement” of partnership. – Stated the agreement was terminated on withdrawal of either party. – South tried to pay Union for the federal property in their hands and set a peace treaty – Lincoln refused, as it would be “recognizing” their sovereignty – Informal negotiations also failed The Siege • Six days after the secession of SC, US Army Major Robert Anderson orders the abandoning of Fort Moultrie (old, indefensible) and their moving “in secret” to Fort Sumter across the bay. – To many, this seemed like a breach of faith in SC. – SC government demanded Fort Sumter be abandoned. • Tensions had been so high in the area that South Carolina had put picket ships in the harbor to watch the coming and going of Union troops. • To many, this seemed like a siege of the fort. – This would become a reality Early 1861 • After the formation of the Confederacy, there was debate among secessionists over whether capture of a fort and their provisions belonged to the state or the CSA itself. • A second debate was whether or not the CSA should use force to dismiss the Union from remaining forts • Jefferson Davis, like Lincoln, preferred not to be seen as the aggressor – Would lose valuable political points Tensions heighten • PGT Beauregard takes command of the siege in Charleston at Fort Sumter – Demanded either surrender or withdraw – Would not allow any supplies (including food) were made available to the defenders • Robert Anderson had been Beauregard’s artillery instructor at West Point – Became close after graduation – Beauregard became Anderson’s assistant before the war. Lincoln makes a move • Lincoln realizes how low supplies are for the fort – Announces on April 6 he will attempt to send provisions only to the fort via ship. – Unless an attack occurs, no men, arms, or ammunition will be offloaded • Confederacy decides on April 9, 1861 they will open fire before the supply ship arrives – CSA Secretary of State Robert Toombs is the only one who votes against this, knowing it will be political suicide. April 12, 1861 • 4:30 am – a single shot from Fort Johnson exploded over Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the shelling. – Four shelling stations • Fort Moultrie • Fort Johnson • Floating batteries in Charleston Harbor and Cummings Point • Union troops did not respond until 7:00am when Abner Doubleday was ordered to fire in return – Anderson had little he could do due to placement of the guns and fort make up GUNS ON TOP LEVEL – BEST ACCURACY BUT MOST DANGEROUS – POTENTIAL CASUALTIES GUNS UNDER THE EMPLACEMENTS WERE SAFER, BUT ONLY CAPABLE OF DIRECT FIRE – LITTLE RESULTS Surrender • Union troops were running low on supplies after 30+ hours • One shell hit officers HQ starting a serious fire • Finally, Anderson agrees to surrender the fort at 2:00pm on April 13, 1861 • Nobody was killed during the fighting, but 2 casualties during surrender ceremonies – Daniel Hough (first soldier killed in Civil War) Post Surrender • Transfer of the fort occurs April 14, 1861 • Union troops left the fort and were transported the next day to Union territory • Fort Sumter stays in the hands of the CSA for the entire war – On April 14, 1865, Major General Robert Anderson raises the Union colors over the fort • Following the surrender of Fort Sumter, Lincoln calls for 75K men to recapture the forts and preserve the Union (felt it would take only 3 months – how wrong he was)