Fort Sumter Letters for the years 1860 thru 1861

Fort Sumter, SC - 27 December 1860

I have only time to say that the movement of my command to this place was made on my own responsibility and not in obedience to orders from Washington.

Fort Sumter, SC - 29 December 1860

No one will regret more deeply than I shall, should it prove true that the movement I have made has complicated rather than disembarrassed affairs.

Fort Sumter, SC - 30 December 1860

Your most welcome letter of the 26th of December, received to-day, finds me, as you see, at Fort Sumter. God has been pleased to hear our prayers, and has removed me to this stronghold.

Fort Sumter, SC - 6 January 1861

We are daily adding to the strength of our position by closing up embrasures which we shall not use, mounting guns, etc.

Fort Sumter, SC - 9 January 1861

Two of your batteries fired this morning on an unarmed vessel bearing the flag of my Government.

Fort Sumter, SC - 9 January 1861

under the circumstances I have deemed it proper to refer the whole matter to my Government

Fort Sumter, SC - 11 January 1861

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your demand for the surrender of this fort to the authorities in South Carolina, and to say in reply that the demand is one with which I cannot comply.

Fort Sumter, SC - 9 March 1861

I have the honor to report that we can see the South Carolinians engaged this morning strengthening and extending considerably what we supposed to have been intended for a mortar battery at Fort Johnson.

Fort Sumter, SC - 4 April 1861

I have the honor to send herewith a report of the circumstances attending a firing yesterday afternoon by the batteries on Morris Island at a schooner bearing our flag

Fort Sumter, SC - 5 April 1861

After thirty odd years of service I do not wish it to be said that I have treasonably abandoned a post and turned over to unauthorized persons public property intrusted to my charge.

Fort Sumter, SC - 8 April 1861

I have the honor to report that the resumption of A staff-officer of the Governor was sent to the postmaster on the 9th of April demanding their delivery to him.

Fort Sumter, SC - 11 April 1861

I have tho honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, demanding the evacuation of this Fort

Fort Sumter, SC - 12 April 1861

to state in reply that, cordially uniting with you in the desire to avoid the useless effusion of blood, I will, if provided with the proper and necessary means of transportation, evacuate Fort Sumter