The Civil War by campaigns

General Books publication date: 2009
Original publication date: 1899
Original Publisher: Crane Subjects: United States

History / Military / General

History / Military / United States

History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)
Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text.
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Excerpt: OHAPTER II. OPENING EVENTS OF THE WAR. Capture Of Fort Sumter, April 13, 1861. -- The seceding States at once began to seize all forts, arsenals, and national property of every description for the use of the Confederacy. Major Anderson, of the U. S. Army, was occupying Tort Moul- trie with a force of but ten men. Fearing an attack by the secessionists in Charleston, he withdrew his command, on the night of December 26, 1860, to Fort Sumter, situated on an island in the harbor, a stronger position than the one which he had abandoned. Fort Moultrie was immediately occupied by the authorities of Charleston. The fort was strengthened and batteries erected, and preparations begun for the reduction of Fort Sumter. The national authorities instructed Major Anderson not to interfere with this hostile proceeding. Early in January, an unarmed vessel, the Star of the West, carried troops and supplies to reinforce Fort Sumter. When within sight of the fort it was fired upon from the Confederate batteries, and was obliged to turn back. No effort was made by the Government to avenge this insult to the national flag. The Confederates organized an army, most of whose officers had abandoned the Federal service. Gen. Beauregard was placed in command of their forces at Charleston. All supplies of food from Charleston were cut off from Major Anderson by the Confederates. The National Government began to make preparations to replenish the supply of foo...