Fort Sumter Research Paper

The battle of Fort Sumter, which was located on the middle of the harbor of Charleston, was the first battle in the American Civil War. During the secession crisis that followed President Abraham Lincoln’s election in November 1860, many threats were made to Federal troops occupying forts in the South. Anderson, in command at the difficult-to-defend Fort Moultrie on Sullivan Island right by the harbor from Charleston, and started to ask the War Department for backup and making arrangements to bring his soldiers to the fortifications on more safe islands in the harbor—Castle Pinckney closer to Charleston or the unfinished Fort Sumter right by the harbor’s access.

After South Carolina’s secession on December 20, 1860, Governor Francis Pickens was forced to do something about Anderson and his soldiers since many thought that Anderson would not be located at Fort Moultrie but would rather be in a better position at another of the harbor’s forts. On December 24, Pickens sent proxies to Washington to discuss what would be done about the forts that are being used and to ensure Anderson would stay at Fort Moultrie. However, on December 26 Anderson put his idea into action: he brought his men, brought them and their families onto boats, and took them to Fort Sumter. What followed was basically a siege of Fort Sumter, with necessary supplements and communication controlled by Pickens. …show more content…
Anderson, under orders to fire only in defense, could only watch as the ship was turned

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