Sumter, Fort, Charleston Harbor

opening engagement of the Civil War, April 12, 13, 1861, Major Anderson commanding the fort with 129 Union soldiers, General Beau regard the Confederate forces of about 6,000 volunteers. During the early period of sece ionist agitation Anderson had commanded the whole of Charleston harbor, including Forts Sumter, Moultrie, Johnson and Castle Pinckney. To obtain po e ion of these was the chief solicitude of South Carolina. Anderson, fearful of being surprised in unfortified Fort Moultrie, where he was, stationed, moved his forces secretly to Sumter on the night of December 26, 1861. On that day a commi ion of three, deputed by the South Carolina Convention, arrived at Washington to treat with President Buchanan and make complaints against Anderson. Anderson’s move caused a postponement of their accorded interview with Buchanan and, upon Governor Pickens’ seizure of Fort Moultrie, Castle Pinckney, the Charleston Arsenal, Custom House and Post-Office, the President refused their demand of the withdrawal of the Federal troops. Pickens immediately proceeded to a emble volunteers and strengthen the captured forts. Beau regard was chosen to command the Confederate troops. Meantime ‘‘ The Star of the West,’’ a merchant steamer, was chartered and stocked with provisions for Anderson's relief. She sailed from New York January 5, 1861, with 250 recruits. On entering Charleston harbor and showing the United States flag she was fired upon from Fort Moultrie and compelled to put to sea again. Pickens demanded Anderson’s surrender, which was refused. On April 8, 1861, President Lincoin notified Pickens and Beau regard that an attempt would be made to supply Anderson with provisions. This decided the Confederates for ‘ war, and on April 12, Anderson having again refused to evacuate on terms agreeable to Beau regard, the latter commenced to fire on Fort Sumter. The bombardment continued two days. April 14, Anderson surrendered because of lack of provisions and because portions of the fort were in flames. The firing upon Fort Sumter did more than any of the previous acts of the disunionists to rouse the North to use force. Immense enthusiasm for the cause of the Union was immediately awakened.—Fort Sumter was a ailed by Admiral Dahlgren’s fleet on the night of September 8, 1863. This attack was led by Commodore Stephens and proved an utter failure, Beau regard’s batteries easily driving off the attacking troops. In February, 1865, the Union flag was once more raised over Fort Sumter. 271