Fort Sumter, Battle of
1861 CE
The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12–13, 1861) is the bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina by the Confederate States Army, and the return gunfire and subsequent surrender by the United States Army, that starts the American Civil War.
Following the declaration of secession by South Carolina on December 20, 1860, its authorities demand that the U.S. Army abandon its facilities in Charleston Harbor.
On December 26, Major Robert Anderson of the U.S. Army surreptitiously moves his small command from the vulnerable Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island to Fort Sumter, a substantial fortress built on an island controlling the entrance of Charleston Harbor
An attempt by U.S. President James Buchanan to reinforce and resupply Anderson using the unarmed merchant ship Star of the West had failed when it is fired upon by shore batteries on January 9, 1861.
South Carolina authorities had then seized all Federal property in the Charleston area except for Fort Sumter.
During the early months of 1861, the situation around Fort Sumter increasingly began to resemble a siege.
In March, Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard, the first general officer of the newly formed Confederate States Army, had been placed in command of Confederate forces in Charleston.
Beauregard has energetically directed the strengthening of batteries around Charleston harbor aimed at Fort Sumter.
Conditions in the fort, growing increasingly dire due to shortages of men, food, and supplies, deteriorate as the Union soldiers rush to complete the installation of additional guns.\
The resupply of Fort Sumter becomes the first crisis of the administration of the newly inaugurated U.S. President Abraham Lincoln following his victory in the election of November 6, 1860.
He notifies the Governor of South Carolina, Francis W. Pickens that he is sending supply ships, which results in an ultimatum from the Confederate government for the immediate evacuation of Fort Sumter, which Major Anderson refuses.
Beginning at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, the Confederates bombard the fort from artillery batteries surrounding the harbor.
Although the Union garrison returns fire, they are significantly outgunned and, after thirty-four hours, Major Anderson agrees to evacuate.
There are no deaths on either side as a direct result of this engagement, although a gun explosion during the surrender ceremonies on April 14 causes two Union deaths.
Following the battle, there is widespread support from both North and South for further military action.
Lincoln's immediate call for seventy-five thousand volunteers to suppress the rebellion results in an additional four southern states also declaring their secession and joining the Confederacy.
The battle is usually recognized as the first battle that opens the American Civil War.
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Lincoln had ordered the U.S. Navy to resupply Fort Sumter, situated in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, commanded by Major Robert Anderson.
Upon receiving notice, by Lincoln’s personal emissary, of the Navy’s intentions, South Carolina’s governor had telegraphed the Confederate capital at Montgomery.
The Confederacy responds by ordering the bombardment of the fort.
The artillery attack is commanded by Brig. Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard, who had been Anderson's student at West Point.
The attack begins April 12, 1861, and continues until Anderson, badly outnumbered and outgunned, surrenders the fort on April 14.
No one was killed in the battle on either side, but one Union soldier is killed and one mortally wounded during a fifty-gun salute.