Some interiors and gun emplacements of the Fort Sumter National Monument, Charleston, S.C., have been restored by the National Park Service to depict their Civil War state, but the overall look of the fort is far different today.

t’s astonishing just how small Fort Sumter, S.C., is. ings are gone. Any brickwork not bashed to smithereens things tighter. Dwindling hope of reinforcement or res - pers, and news of it was disseminated worldwide by Five minutes at a saunter will take most who walk when Union forces returned to reclaim the fort in 1865 cue made things even worse. telegraph taps. It was the story of the day almost every it across its breadth, from the entrance gate to the was downed by later upgrades. Anderson’s garrison Gone are the vestiges of how the soldiers endured, day and became the public focal point in a high-stakes far gun line. burned most of the wooden structures as the artillery - but at the fort’s seaward side, Confederate state flags test of wills—national and personal. Great political and A dark gray blockhouse impedes those who stroll men ripped them apart one by one for fuel to survive— now fly atop a ring of flagstaffs around a taller central strategic questions came to be embodied by the struggle there today. It encased the command-and-control the cook shack consumed last in the desperation to flagstaff bearing the U.S. colors. Memorializing the over Sumter. center during World War II. Fort Sumter was an opera - hang on. losses on both sides, its design symbolizes restored alle - Newspapers, magazines and, uniquely, battlefield tional part of the Charleston Harbor defenses from its At the end of Anderson’s occupation of the fort, the giance under one flag. Despite its physical changes, Fort photography came to carry significant influence, shap - beginning as the Civil War’s flashpoint to nearly the garrison was on short rations that had been cut again. Sumter remains perhaps the strongest symbol of the ing public opinion and pulling politicians along mag - Cold War, and adaptations made during both World Not much more than a day’s worth was left at that Civil War, bookending its course from beginning to end. netically. The media assumed a newfangled power, too. Wars and the Spanish-American War changed the fort. trickle. Water was scarce and bad. Clothing and bed - In early 1861, the situation at Fort Sumter grabbed the The Associated Press came into its own during the It looks nothing like the night after Christmas in 1860, ding cloth went to make cartridge casings, which gun - nation’s attention and held it. Although other U.S. mili - war—a media game-changer on par with CNN’s 24/7 when MAJ Robert Anderson withdrew his garrison ners stitched with the seven needles on the property tary facilities in the South faced similar siege situations news cycle breakout during the Gulf War. Meanwhile, there for better force protection. book. Approximately 80 soldiers were isolated there for under varying degrees of menace, Sumter was the most local Charleston tensions were heightened by the city’s The outer walls are only one story tall now, shaved nearly four months, enduring all the petty problems prestigious and received the most press. Its ongoing firebrand paper The Charleston Mercury , pro-secession from a three-story height. The original interior build - that being too close for too long brings. Stress made story was reported extensively in American newspa - and pouring fuel on the city’s rage.

56 ARMY I April 2011 April 2011 I ARMY 57 An artillery projectile is stuck in an interior wall of Sumter, apparently fired during the heavy Union barrage in the late stage of the Civil War as Northern forces sought to retake the fort.

A heavy gun on its carriage points toward Charleston Harbor from Battery Park.

and allegations that he also drank too much and led too lit - Above, the harbor side of Fort Sumter: tle. He was replaced by MAJ Anderson. Tied up at the wharf is one of the The threat skyrocketed, however, when the South Carolina contractor vessels that shuttles visitors to legislature ratified the December 20, 1860, secession declara - the site. The open area largely was ringed tion passed by a state convention. It was the first state to se - and dotted by living quarters and various shops when the Charleston garrison cede, and it was the cornerstone of the Confederacy. Missis - withdrew there in 1861, and the exterior sippi, Florida, Alabama and Georgia followed quickly. was three stories tall. Right, the The issue of Fort Sumter increasingly chained both sides monument’s displays include heavy to their own honor. Like a duel, events there would decide cannons used during the Civil War. whose honor was upheld. And, as in duels of the day, honor could be upheld without bloodshed. At Fort Sumter, the matter centered on when, or whether, federal forces any on the southern side believed in a best-case sce - would abandon it and accede to seces - nario, which was that the federals, afforded generous sionist demands that U.S. authorities fanfare and flourish, would march out peacefully— turn over all federal facilities, includ - Mdrums beating and a transport ship waiting. The U.S. ing military establishments, within a flag would be lowered, folded and taken with them, and seceding state—imposed first by the the new Confederate flag would be raised, achieving the state of South Carolina and later the desired end state. Neither side wanted centrally organized Confederate States to shoot first, nor did the South want of America (CSA) in its nascent form. its actions to appear barbarous. among America’s officer corps (though The Sumter garrison’s mission was o long as the fort held, symbolic it was splitting apart) drove duty. to fly the flag for as long as possible, al - The dark hulk of accession to the demands and de - Personal honor also strongly led civil lowing time for a political settlement, the fort’s Word War clarations pressed upon it was de - conduct among the upper economic or holding out at least until the newly II command-and- Snied, and, by extension, denied to classes, especially in the South. elected President, Abraham Lincoln, control center the fundamental questions orbiting The direct threat to Fort Sumter be - took office and issued further orders. dominates the secession itself. gan as occasional less-than-cordial Anderson’s original directives were central portion of Sumter today. For both sides, it became a matter of brushes in Charleston’s streets. The ambiguous, with versions delivered honor at the state and national levels, threat level spiked when, in Novem - verbally at several political command more so directly at the scene of the ber 1860, the then-commander of the levels. Taken in net worth, however, Charleston standoff. There, honor was Charleston garrison, brevet COL John the orders as Anderson understood close and personal, and it was mani - C. Gardiner, tried to take ammunition them ran along this general track: fested in many ways. The affair was from the arsenal, which was situated Don’t start a war by shooting first, and, by extension, don’t OK as long as it stayed quiet. Reaction asserted that the gar - conducted in a rather gentlemanly in the city. A crowd turned back the raise southern hackles in other ways; hold out as long as rison’s move went beyond Anderson’s authority to protect fashion, up to a point. Personal honor fort’s working party, and the ammuni - humanly possible to buy time and not disgrace the flag, his force, although no specific encumbrances on force pro - tion was returned to the arsenal. The and take necessary actions to protect the garrison. tection had been placed on Anderson beforehand. incident caused secondary effects: Fort As it played out, the last general order was viewed differ - The then-Secretary of War telegraphed Anderson on De - Civil War-era mortars sit in Charleston’s Battery Park. Batteries there were at too Sumter would be short of ammo when ently in Washington after MAJ Anderson spirited his garri - cember 27: “Intelligence has reached here this morning that great a range for the attack on Fort Sumter, it was needed, and the commander son from Fort Moultrie, S.C., to Fort Sumter less than a week you have abandoned Fort Moultrie, spiked your guns, but the site served as an observation point soon would be sacked, taking into ac - after South Carolina’s secession. Anderson’s move frazzled burned the carriages and gone to Fort Sumter. It is not be - for the citizens of Charleston. count his behavior during the incident hypersensitive political nerves—everything at the fort was lieved because there is no order for any such movement.

58 ARMY I April 2011 April 2011 I ARMY 59 Explain the meaning of this report. J.B. Floyd, Sec’y of War.” South Carolinians viewed Anderson’s move as breaking an agreement (an “understanding,” at least) to keep the sta - tus quo, which excluded moving in any direction except away from Charleston. Anderson simply saw a bad tactical military situation and took the most prudent action available. The garrison headquarters at Fort Moultrie could not be defended from ground assault by the number of soldiers he had: nine line officers, one surgeon, 19 NCOs, 48 privates and eight band members (who probably were crosstrained rapidly). The garrison also had about 20 family members and 43 construction workers to consider.

ort Moultrie occupies a position across the wide harbor from the city of Charleston on Sullivan’s Island, which was a resort property for Charleston’s elite. Their sum - Fmer homes crept to the shadows of the fort’s walls, and the island was readily accessible by land. Anderson’s fa - ther, MAJ Richard Anderson, had served there during the Revolutionary War (then Fort Sullivan and renamed for the commander and victorious defender of Charleston, BG William Moultrie). Militiamen began to arrive. Picket boats started to guard the water approach. One assault could finish them. It was The Fort Sumter flag was lowered in time to go. 1861 and carried out by the Union comman - der, MAJ Robert Anderson. He raised it again in Anderson moved everybody—soldiers and family mem - 1865 as a retired major general to mark the fourth an - bers alike—and all the stores, ammunition and equipment niversary of the bombardment that started the Civil War. that could be ferried by small boats to the better protection of Fort Sumter. He even took some civilian workers—given a quick loyalty assessment—because Sumter was not yet A gun port faces the harbor from Fort Sumter.

A model in Sumter’s visitor center depicts the fort as it appeared The fort’s interior in 1861. World War II blockhouse today houses a visitor center. A display informs visitors about the Confederate commanding general at Charleston, Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard.

60 ARMY I April 2011 April 2011 I ARMY 61 Artillery pieces top the wall at Fort identified and signals attempted, but batter - Moultrie, S.C. MAJ ies manned by the South Carolina militia Passageways inside Fort Anderson withdrew and cadets from The Citadel (The Military Moultrie’s thick exterior his garrison from College of South Carolina) by then had wall connect magazines and other areas. Moultrie to Fort spotted it and opened fire, eventually hit - Sumter during the ting the ship with three rounds, which did night of December no significant damage. 26, 1860, for better force protection. (In historical fact, of course, these were the Confederate forces first shots of the Civil War, but the eventual quickly occupied direct attack on the fort received that credit, Moultrie and held arguably by choice at the time to avert pres - Sumter under its sure for retaliation, although southern dele - guns. gations raised hell about it.)

s the South Carolina batteries hurled shots at the Star of the West , Anderson held fire, seeing it within his orders fully completed. Aside from two captains, he gave the gar - After a while, the situation settled into an odd normalcy. Aand as his personal duty to avert an rison only 30 minutes notice in order to better preserve the Charleston remained angry but accepted that the fort exchange of fire (and near-certain nied. She rebutted with a somewhat plan’s security and keep the clamor short. would not hold out for long, based on what was being war) to the best of his abilities. The scolding appeal to Pickens. Goaded by The operation was complex and studded with decep - heard in Washington and from federal envoys allowed to ship turned about and steamed away Mrs. Anderson, he thought better of his tions and feints. For example, boats carrying family mem - visit the fort over time (another gentlemanly act). The trou - with the men aboard wondering why pettiness and approved Hart’s pass. bers first went to another harbor fort, which was observ - ble was that the federals never hit the time line, no matter Fort Sumter had not chosen to help it - She was met at the sally port and ten - able from Charleston, and the women and children how often it was adjusted and accommodated. self. derly carried into the fort by her hus - appeared to bed down for the night. Observers thought During the early stages, not only could Sumter receive No other attempt would be made to band. She told him that she had come they had arrived in anticipation of the garrison following. emissaries, it could use the telegraph and mail, and for a relieve or rescue Sumter until well to put the sergeant at his side once Wrong. The boats headed back out as if they could be re - while fresh beef and other foods were delivered under pre - past the eleventh hour. Federal ships again, which was the best thing that turning to Moultrie and veered instead into Sumter. Some existing contracts. (military, and flagged as such this she could do for him. might call this audacious; the people of Charleston consid - Things got uglier after Washington sent an unsuccessful time) arrived off Charleston Harbor Two hours later, she left on the tide, ered it skullduggery. It was a good plan. rescue mission. and anchored at a rendezvous point having delivered her reinforcement. The steamship Star of the West was loaded with provisions that had a particularly good view of She returned to New York by way of s the night wore on, each subsequent lift had to avoid and some 200 fresh troops during the first days of January the smoke rising from Fort Sumter on Washington, congratulated for her the picket boats for a couple of miles to make Sumter, 1861 and churned out of New York Harbor. At the last mo - the day Anderson hauled down the courage and honor but much more ill. rowing back and forth to shuttle cargo and passengers. ment, the contracted civilian vessel had been chosen as a re - flag, folded it and marched out with it. After taking office, Pickens had raced AYet the move was accomplished undetected. The last placement for the USS Brooklyn , diminishing, to the extent it The story goes that the only actual to Charleston as state commander in men to leave Moultrie spiked the guns and set gun car - was possible, any fallout from a direct military clash involv - reinforcement Anderson ever received chief. He had secessionist fever and riages ablaze. The flagstaff also was broken to deny it to ing a flagged U.S. warship. The ship slipped into Charleston was a single retired sergeant, person - was a political product of it. He set the enemy for his flag. Harbor under the cover of darkness on January 9, but An - ally delivered by Anderson’s wife, militia units to improving or building One very old retired sergeant and his wife were left behind derson had not been made aware of the mission, and he had Elizabeth. A general’s daughter, she fortifications. Many working cannons A frame hoist inside Moultrie shows at an emplacement that was long their home with the request not at that time specifically requested resupply. Soldiers on was in New York City and sick. When how artillery pieces were raised from and mortars were captured and em - that South Carolina forces treat them with dignity. They did. watch were surprised by its arrival. Anderson was awak - word reached her about the Sumter and lowered onto their carriages. placed around Sumter, and cadets from Militia occupied the abandoned facilities, and Anderson ened and called for the guns to be manned. The ship was move and her husband’s peril, she un - The Citadel brought their own heavy himself raised the U.S. colors above dertook extraordinary measures and guns. Fort Sumter at noon while the chap - painful travel to make the delivery. She left her sickbed South Carolinians also constructed a “floating battery”—a lain prayed and soldiers saluted. and tracked down an old and trusted sergeant, Peter Hart, barge-like vessel armored with thick planking and armed Sumter’s situation stabilized, politi - who had served with Anderson during the Mexican-Amer - with cannon fired through ports. It could get close, perhaps, cally and tactically, into a siege with - ican War and lived in New York. She went to his home, and was particularly feared. out fire. The garrison found itself on asked him to leave his wife behind, risk his life and accom - Eventually, safe passage was requested for the Sumter an island—occupying a speck in Charles - pany her to Charleston, then onward to Sumter. And she family members and given. They boarded a northbound ton Harbor that was a persistent irrita - put the most difficult request to him: She asked that he ship. tion to southerners and increasingly stay with the garrison to be at her husband’s side and help Despite his energy in getting things up and running and isolated from Washington. him because she was too ill to stay. his zeal for the cause, Pickens really didn’t want the re - Almost instantly, Hart agreed. Disguised as a servant, he sponsibility of ordering the first shot if it came to it, so he traveled by train with her. In Charleston, Mrs. Anderson pe - was not disappointed when the new Confederate govern - Artillery pieces are displayed at Fort titioned for passes to proceed to the fort. She received one ment took charge at Charleston and dispatched a profes - Moultrie, which is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Fort from the newly elected South Carolina governor, Francis W. sional to the job site. This was Pierre Gustave Toutant Sumter National Monument. Pickens, whom she knew personally, but Hart’s pass was de - Beauregard, a former U.S. Army officer, politically con -

62 ARMY I April 2011 April 2011 I ARMY 63 The visitor center at Fort Moultrie shows the fort’s history, which stretches back to the Revolutionary War.

nected and a newly minted CSA brigadier general, one of Sumter during the artillery exchange. Two men, however, the first generals commissioned by the Confederacy. died in the ceremony that followed. Beauregard was pure, distilled Louisiana aristocracy on Confederate envoys again went to Sumter, and Ander - the hoof—short in stature, long in pedigree. He was an un - son agreed to an “evacuation” on April 14. Terms included apologetic dandy, fastidious in appearance, and he glided the 100-gun salute, and the two soldiers died in accidents into Charleston society like Cajun smoke. On his first night that occurred during the salute, causing the gunners to fall in town, he went to the theater to mingle. He was a hit. short of the 100 mark. Ladies of the city sent food baskets to his headquarters. Anderson marched out with the garrison flag, and the Men sent liquor and cigars. men were put on a boat headed to New York. He was cer - Beauregard and Anderson were colleagues and acquain - tain that he would return to face court-martial or severe tances, if not friends. Both were veterans of the Mexican- censure, but he was promoted to brevet brigadier general American War and had served under LTG Winfield Scott, and lauded roundly. The new war needed new heroes. and both were graduates of West Point. (Anderson had, in President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to wear fact, taught Beauregard at West Point.) blue, right the wrong and keep the Union together, asking The Confederate commander knew that Anderson would for six month’s duty in a war that most expected to be short. not walk out of Sumter in disgrace. Over time, Beauregard Anderson would go on to achieve the rank of major gen - agreed to terms that would allow the federal garrison to eral. He retired during the war, mainly because of bad quit the post and walk out after a 100-gun salute. (Ander - health that set in at Sumter including, by some accounts, son had taken a hard-line stand on the number of guns.) what we call today post-traumatic stress. In the summer of 1861, Beauregard was a leader of victo - t one point, the southern commander sent a load of rious Confederate forces at the First Battle of Manassas/ champagne and victuals to Anderson, but he returned Bull Run. it, saying he could accept nothing more than the agreed The Confederacy held Fort Sumter until the last stages of Arations. Again, it was a rather gentlemanly affair, but the war. In 1865, MG William T. Sherman’s strong Union the situation finally heated to the boiling point—constantly forces swung up the Atlantic coast from their “march to stoked by the garrison’s failure to leave on several dates the sea” and headed to Charleston, among other cities, (promises in the southern view and estimates in the north - bent on issuing a little payback. By sea and land, Sumter ern). Time finally ran out. was bombarded on a scale unimaginable in 1861, reducing The Confederate government, fed up and fearing that much of it. The Confederate garrison, however, did not the North would yet pull something, ordered Beauregard evacuate under fire. It, too, held out. A concrete slab to seek surrender once more. If last-ditch negotiations memorializing the soldiers’ stand was dedicated by the failed, he was to open fire at the first advantageous mo - Daughters of the Confederacy in 1929, and it remains inset ment. The talks failed. astride Fort Sumter’s entrance. At 4:30 A.M., on April 12, a mortar shot arced toward Anderson donned his uniform one last time to raise the Sumter and exploded in the air. It was the signal to com - original garrison flag above Fort Sumter during a cere - mence fire. The barrage continued all that day and half the mony held on April 14, 1865, four bloody years to the day next. from the Sumter evacuation. Little meaningful damage was imposed on the fort’s That night, President Lincoln was shot, dying the next hard outer shell, but several blazes started inside the fort. day as the last casualty of the war that began and ended The flagstaff was knocked down and reerected under fire. with the U.S. flag flying above Fort Sumter, a battered but The flag had been singed, but no casualties occurred at enduring symbol. (

64 ARMY I April 2011