Fort Sumter

        Two days after South Carolina voted to secede from the Union, Colonel Robert Anderson relocated hundreds of U.S. troops to Fort Sumter.  Anderson understood that the growing hostilities between South Carolina and the U.S. government were endangering the lives of his men. Anderson believed that relocating Fort Sumter would keep his men from harm and guarantee Union control of Charleston Harbor.  Following Anderson's removal to the fort, all federal property was seized in South Carolina by local militia.
        Anderson's men endured a rough winter at Fort Sumter.  Both food and fuel were rationed, and Anderson was unable to get supplies from the mainland.  Communication with the government was almost completely cutoff, Anderson was able to have messages smuggled to Washington D.C. asking for supplies.  On January 9th, a supply ship approached the fort it was fired upon by Confederate forces on the shore and forced to return back to the North.
       Lincoln sent a message to the governor of South Carolina Francis Pickens, stating that he intended on sending several supply ships to relieve the men stationed at Fort Sumter.  Lincoln explained that these soldiers were his responsibility and were not threatening the people of South Carolina in any way. His plan was met with some opposition,  Secretary of State William Seward argued that the fort should be abandoned as a gesture of good will to the Confederates.
      Lincoln's letter made Governor Pickens nervous.  He knew that his forces would be able to bombard Fort Sumter safely from the coast but did not want to take action without approval from the Confederate government.  Jefferson Davis ordered Pickens to issue Colonel Anderson an ultimatum, if Union forces fail to abandon the fort they will be attacked. Many in the Confederacy believed that if South Carolina could successfully take over Fort Sumter that Virginia would join them and once Virginia joined, other states would follow.
    On April 12th 43 mortars cannons from coastal batteries began a 48 hour bombardment of Fort Sumter.   Anderson's men had been deprived of ammunition, food, and sleep and the commander understood that this fight was over before it began.  After enduring over 3,000 rounds of artillery, Anderson raised a white flag calling for surrender.