The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861Annotation: Samuel Crawford, a medical officer working with Major Robert Anderson, unfolds the story of the first shots fired at Fort Sumter--and the events that led to the national struggle between the North and the South in the war for the union of the States. His account was originally published in 1887. |
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action administration Anderson reported arms arsenal attack attempt authorities battery Beauregard believed boat Buchanan Cabinet Captain Foster Captain Fox Castle Pinckney Charleston Harbor collision Colonel Columbiads command Commissioners communication Confederate Congress considered Convention Cummings Point December defense demand Department despatch determined duty embrasures engineer officer envoy evacuation excitement expedition fire flag force Fort Johnson Fort Moultrie Fort Pickens Fort Sumter forts garrison Government Governor Floyd Governor Pickens guns harbor of Charleston honor hostile immediate informed instructions interview January Judge Black Legislature letter Major Anderson Major Buell Meantime ment messenger military morning Morris Island mortar Moultrie movement night once opinion orders Ordinance of Secession parapet peace pledge position present President provisions received regard reinforcements reply resignation Scott seceding Secretary of War Senators sent South Carolina Southern steamer Sullivan's Island Sumter supplies telegram thought tion troops Union United vessel War Department Washington Wigfall
Popular passages
Page 447 - And this issue embraces more than the fate of these United States. It presents to the whole family of man the question whether a constitutional republic or democracy — a government of the people by the same people — can or cannot maintain its territorial integrity against its own domestic foes.
Page 446 - To now reinforce Fort Pickens before a crisis would be reached at Fort Sumter was impossible — rendered so by the near exhaustion of provisions in the latter-named fort. In precaution against such a conjuncture, the government had, a few days before, commenced preparing an expedition as well adapted as might be to relieve Fort Sumter, which expedition was intended to be ultimately used, or not, according to circumstances.
Page 51 - AND OTHER STATES UNITED WITH HER UNDER THE COMPACT ENTITLED "THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Page 37 - ... strong convictions that neither the constituted authorities, nor any body of the people of the State of South Carolina, will either attack or molest the United States forts in the harbor of Charleston, previously to the action of the convention, and, we hope and believe, not until an offer has been made, through an accredited representative, to negotiate for an amicable arrangement of all matters between the State and the Federal Government, provided that no reinforcements shall be sent into...
Page 444 - Having been convened on an extraordinary occasion, as authorized by the Constitution, your attention is not called to any ordinary subject of legislation. At the beginning of the present presidential term, four months ago, the functions of the Federal Government were found to be generally suspended within the several States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, excepting only those of the Post Office Department.
Page 52 - Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed; and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of the "United States of America,
Page 427 - ... three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions remaining but pork, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard (being the same offered by him on the...
Page 402 - ... he will not use his guns against us unless ours should be employed against Fort Sumter, you are authorized thus to avoid the effusion of blood. If this or its equivalent be refused, reduce the fort as your judgment decides to be most practicable.
Page 385 - In precaution against such a conjuncture the Government had a few days before commenced preparing an expedition, as well adapted as might be, to relieve Fort Sumter, which expedition was intended to be ultimately used or not, according to circumstances. The strongest anticipated case for using it was now presented, and it was resolved to send it forward.
Page 381 - Sumter. The news itself was that the officer commanding the Sabine, to which vessel the troops had been transferred from the Brooklyn, acting upon some quasi armistice of the late Administration, (and of the existence of which the present Administration, up to the time the order was despatched, had only too vague and uncertain rumors to fix attention), had refused to land the troops.