Battle of Fort Sumter

Montgomery, AL - 1 March 1861

You will proceed without delay to Charleston, and report to Governor Pickens for military duty in that State.

Charleston, SC - 27 December 1860

I abandoned Fort Moultrie because I was certain that, if attacked, my men must have been sacrificed, and the command of the harbor lost.

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 - 9 January 1861

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

Charleston, SC - 27 December 1860

The row is fast and furious now. State after State is taking its forts and fortresses.

, MA - 7 January 1861

Major Anderson in leaving Fort Moultrie, which the President refused to strengthen, and saving his devoted band by removing to Fort Sumter, which is impregnable, sent a thrill through all the country

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.

Washington, MD - 13 January 1861

I need hardly say to you that a request for a conference on questions of defense had to me the force of a command

War Department, MD - 16 January 1861

Your dispatch No. 17, covering your correspondence with the Governor of South Carolina, has been received from the hand of Lieutenant Talbot.

Washington, MD - 20 January 1861

You will not be surprised when I say to you that my quiet hours are mostly spent in thoughts of Charleston Harbor, and may therefore pardon the frequency of my letters.

unknown - 8 February 1861

Lieutenant Hall and myself have had several free conferences ; and if he is permitted by the South Carolina authorities to re-enter Fort Sumter, Major Anderson will comprehend the plan for his relief.

Montgomery, AL - 1 March 1861

In controlling the military operations in the harbor of Charleston, the President directs me to say that everything will be done that may be due to the honor and rights of South Carolina.

Washington, MD - 19 March 1861

I request that you will have the goodness to proceed to Charleston, S. C., and obtain permission, if necessary, to visit Fort Sumter

Montgomery, AL - 2 April 1861

This government has at no time placed any reliance on assurances by the government at Washington, in respect to the evacuation of Fort Sumter, or entertained any confidence in the disposition of the latter to make any concession

Washington, MD - 6 April 1861

It having been decided to succor Fort Sumter, you have been selected for this important duty.

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

Montgomery, AL - 13 April 1861

Thanks for your achievement and for your courtesy to the garrison of Sumter.

Washington, DC - 14 April 1861

John Sherman letter to William Sherman... The war has really commenced. You will have full details of the fall of Sumter.

Steamship Baltic, NJ - 18 April 1861

I accepted terms of evacuation, offered by General Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the 11th instant, prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort

Camden, SC - 20 April 1861

And so we took Fort Sumter

Charleston, SC - 27 April 1861

I have the honor to transmit to the department my detailed report of the operations during the bombardment of Fort Sumter

Charleston, SC - 27 April 1861

I have the honor to submit the following detailed report of the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, and the incidents connected therewith.

Washington, MD - 1 May 1861

I sincerely regret that the failure of the late attempt to provision Fort Sumter should be the source of any annoyance to you. The practicability of your plan was not, in fact, brought to a test.