The High Tide of the Confederacy

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter

Located in Charleston Harbor Major southern port Slowly surrounded by

former Union forts and newly built Southern forts

Fort Sumter not finished South Attempts to buy all

forts in harbor Union forces originally

occupied Fort Moultrie on peninsula in Charleston Harbor View of Charleston Harbor from Fort Johnson

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter

Confederates agree to no hostile action at beginning Upset with Union commander Robert Anderson

because he would not surrender fort Anderson is from Kentucky and a slaveholder but loyal to

Union Initially allow food and mail into fort

Pressure U.S. government to withdraw troops Eventually plan to starve out Anderson

Buchanan attempts to resupply position Confederates bombard ship Star of the West which is sent

with supplies Forced to turn back or risk sinking

Southern Command

Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard Sent to South Carolina to act

as Confederate presence to cool hot heads in area

Had been a student of Anderson’s at West Point

One of the most experienced generals in the Confederacy at time (No Virginia generals)

Lincoln Takes Office

Inaugurated on March 4, 1861 States that he will attempt to supply food to Anderson

If ships are not harassed, Lincoln will not attempt to reinforce position

South Carolina’s governor says that he cannot allow this Lincoln orders the fleet to resupply both Fort Sumter and Fort

Pickens Anderson had abandoned Fort Moultrie due to low walls and

burned the fort Moved into Fort Sumter at this point Evacuated women and children to New York

Fleet was to arrive on April 15

Fort Sumter

Beauregard ordered to demand surrender of Fort Sumter before food arrives Anderson says that he cannot abandon fort

Hinted that he cannot hold our much longer because of lack of food

Would have to leave by the 15th Supplies weren’t supposed to arrive before the 15th

Beauregard knew of fleet en route Beauregard begins bombardment of Fort Sumter

Couldn’t risk arrival of fleet

The Battle

Bombardment begins at 4:30am on April 12, 1861 Anderson orders federal reply at 7:00am

Feared missing targets and hitting city of Charleston Conserving ammunition

Anderson holds out for a day and a half

The Battle Anderson surrenders

fort but able to maintain honor Fought battle without

any casualties Allowed to leave

without laying down arms

Orders 100 gun salute for lowering of flag

Cannon explodes during ceremony, killing a soldier

Orders 50 gun salute instead

Symbolic Importance of Sumter Union forces leave

Anderson returns home and is honored

Promoted to Major General

Emotionally torn because of Southern blood and loyalty to Union

Fort is bombarded 11 times during war

Reduced to rubble Symbol of Confederate

rebellion Anderson returns for

raising of the flag later in the war when Fort Sumter is retaken Flag-raising 1864

Lincoln’s Response Lincoln calls for 75,000

volunteers Works within confines of

Constitution Men were needed to

put down a massive riot Only able to call troops

for 90 days All states except for

lower South needed to send troops

Most states send troops quickly

Lincoln’s Response

Robert E. Lee offered command of Union forces Winfred Scott growing too old to

command in the field Had ties to George Washington

and Henry “Lighthorse” Lee Wife was related to Martha

Custis, Washington’s wife Heroes of the American

Revolution

Lee resigns commission Offered a command in the Army of

Virginia

Final Southern Secession

Virginia secession occurs Vote is 4 to 1 in favor of secession Majority that opposed secession were from region that is

now West Virginia Would not raise arms against southern brothers

With call for arms, North Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee also secede Needed to negotiate to get into Confederacy Capital moved to Richmond, Virginia

Risky move because close to Union border Felt they had no choice but move capitol

Virginia was “old Dominion” Rich in tradition and heritage

Kentucky

Kentucky announces neutrality Both sides amass forces on Kentucky border Confederate general enters Kentucky to secure

positions on the Mississippi River Kentucky then enters Union Allows Union forces into state