the conflict begins at fort sumter
DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the events leading up to the conflict at Fort Sumter and the beginning of the American Civil WarTRANSCRIPT
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