Chapter XII

Protests against the Conduct of the Government of the United
States.--Senator Douglas's Proposition to evacuate the Forts,
and Extracts from his Speech in Support of it.--General Scott's
Advice.--Manly Letter of Major Anderson, protesting against the
Action of the Federal Government.--Misstatements of the Count of
Paris.--Correspondence relative to Proposed Evacuation of the
Fort.--A Crisis.

The course pursued by the Government of the United States with regard to the forts had not passed without earnest remonstrance from the most intelligent and patriotic of its own friends during the period of the events which constitute the subject of the preceding chapter. In the Senate of the United States, which continued in executive session for several weeks after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, it was the subject of discussion. Mr. Douglas, of Illinois--who was certainly not suspected of sympathy with secession, or lack of devotion to the Union--on the 15th of March offered a resolution recommending the withdrawal of the garrisons from all forts within the limits of the States which had seceded, except those at Key West and the Dry Tortugas. In support of this resolution he said:

"We certainly can not justify the holding of forts there, much
less the recapturing of those which have been taken, unless we
intend to reduce those States themselves into subjection. I take
it for granted, no man will deny the proposition, that whoever
permanently holds Charleston and South Carolina is entitled to
the possession of Fort Sumter. Whoever permanently holds
Pensacola and Florida is entitled to the possession of Fort
Pickens. Whoever holds the States in whose limits those forts
are placed is entitled to the forts themselves, unless there is
something peculiar in the location of some particular fort that
makes it important for us to hold it for the general defense of
the whole country, its commerce and interests, instead of being
useful only for the defense of a particular city or locality. It
is true that Forts Taylor and Jefferson, at Key West and
Tortugas, are so situated as to be essentially national, and
therefore important to us without reference to our relations
with the seceded States. Not so with Moultrie, Johnson, Castle
Pinckney, and Sumter, in Charleston Harbor; not so with Pulaski,
on the Savannah River; not so with Morgan and other forts in
Alabama; not so with those other forts that were intended to
guard the entrance of a particular harbor for local defense....

"We can not deny that there is a Southern Confederacy, _de
facto_, in existence, with its capital at Montgomery. We may
regret it. _I_ regret it most profoundly; but I can not deny the
truth of the fact, painful and mortifying as it is.... I
proclaim boldly the policy of those with whom I act. We are for
peace."

Mr. Douglas, in urging the maintenance of _peace_ as a motive for the evacuation of the forts, was no doubt aware of the full force of his words. He knew that their continued occupation was virtually a declaration of war.

The General-in-Chief of the United States Army, also, it is well known, urgently advised the evacuation of the forts. But the most striking protest against the coercive measures finally adopted was that of Major Anderson himself. The letter in which his views were expressed has been carefully suppressed in the partisan narratives of that period and wellnigh lost sight of, although it does the highest honor to his patriotism and integrity. It was written on the same day on which the announcement was made to Governor Pickens of the purpose of the United States Government to send supplies to the fort, and is worthy of reproduction here:[165]

[_Letter of Major Anderson, United States Army, protesting
against Fox's Plan for relieving Fort Sumter_.]

"Fort Sumter, S. C., _April 8, 1861_.

"_To Colonel L. Thomas, Adjutant-General United States Army_.

"Colonel: I have the honor to report that the resumption of work
yesterday (Sunday) at various points on Morris Island, and the
vigorous prosecution of it this morning, apparently
strengthening all the batteries which are under the fire of our
guns, shows that they either have just received some news from
Washington which has put them on the _qui vive_, or that they
have received orders from Montgomery to commence operations
here. I am preparing, by the side of my barbette guns,
protection for our men from the shells which will be almost
continually bursting over or in our work.

"I had the honor to receive, by yesterday's mail, the letter of
the Honorable Secretary of War, dated April 4th, and confess
that what he there states surprises me very greatly--following,
as it does, and contradicting so positively, the assurance Mr.
Crawford telegraphed he was 'authorized' to make. I trust that
this matter will be at once put in a correct light, as a
movement made now, when the South has been erroneously informed
that none such would be attempted, would produce most disastrous
results throughout our country. It is, of course, now too late
for me to give any advice in reference to the proposed scheme of
Captain Fox. I fear that its result can not fail to be
disastrous to all concerned. Even with his boat at our walls,
the loss of life (as I think I mentioned to Mr. Fox) in
unloading her will more than pay for the good to be accomplished
by the expedition, which keeps us, if I can maintain possession
of this work, out of position, surrounded by strong works which
must be carried to make this fort of the least value to the
United States Government.

"We have not oil enough to keep a light in the lantern for one
night. The boats will have to, therefore, rely at night entirely
upon other marks. I ought to have been informed that this
expedition was to come. Colonel Lamon's remark convinced me that
the idea, merely hinted at to me by Captain Fox, would not be
carried out.[166]

"We shall strive to do our duty, though I frankly say that my
heart is not in this war, which I see is to be thus commenced.
That God will still avert it, and cause us to resort to pacific
means to maintain our rights, is my ardent prayer!

"I am, Colonel, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant,

"Robert Anderson,

"_Major 1st Artillery, commanding_."

This frank and manly letter, although written with the reserve necessarily belonging to a communication from an officer to his military superiors, expressing dissatisfaction with orders, fully vindicates Major Anderson from all suspicion of complicity or sympathy with the bad faith of the Government which he was serving. It accords entirely with the sentiments expressed in his private letter to me, already mentioned as lost or stolen, and exhibits him in the attitude of faithful performance of a duty inconsistent with his domestic ties and repugnant to his patriotism.

The "relief squadron," as with unconscious irony it was termed, was already under way for Charleston, consisting, according to their own statement, of eight vessels, carrying twenty-six guns and about fourteen hundred men, including the troops sent for reënforcement of the garrison.

These facts became known to the Confederate Government, and it was obvious that no time was to be lost in preparing for, and if possible anticipating the impending assault. The character of the instructions given General Beauregard in this emergency may be inferred from the ensuing correspondence, which is here reproduced from contemporary publications:

"Charleston, _April 8th_.

"L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War_.

"An authorized messenger from President Lincoln just informed
Governor Pickens and myself that provisions will be sent to Fort
Sumter peaceably, or otherwise by force.

(Signed) "G. T. Beauregard."

"Montgomery, _10th_.

"General G. T. Beauregard, _Charleston_.

"If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent
who communicated to you the intention of the Washington
Government to supply Fort Sumter by force, you will at once
demand its evacuation, and, if this is refused, proceed, in such
a manner as you may determine, to reduce it. Answer.

(Signed) "L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War_."

"Charleston, _April 10th_.

"L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War_.

"The demand will be made to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

(Signed) "G. T. Beauregard."

"Montgomery, _April 10th_.

"General Beauregard, _Charleston_.

"Unless there are especial reasons connected with your own
condition, it is considered proper that you should make the
demand at an early hour.

(Signed) "L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War_."

"Charleston, _April 10th_.

"L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War, Montgomery_.

"The reasons are special for twelve o'clock.

(Signed) "G. T. Beauregard."

"Headquarters Provisional Army, C. S. A.,

"Charleston, S.C., _April 11, 1861, 2_ P. M.

"Sir: The Government of the Confederate States has hitherto
forborne from any hostile demonstration against Fort Sumter, in
the hope that the Government of the United States, with a view
to the amicable adjustment of all questions between the two
Governments, and to avert the calamities of war, would
voluntarily evacuate it. There was reason at one time to believe
that such would be the course pursued by the Government of the
United States; and, under that impression, my Government has
refrained from making any demand for the surrender of the fort.

"But the Confederate States can no longer delay assuming actual
possession of a fortification commanding the entrance of one of
their harbors, and necessary to its defense and security.

"I am ordered by the Government of the Confederate States to
demand the evacuation of Fort Sumter. My aides, Colonel Chesnut
and Captain Lee, are authorized to make such demand of you. All
proper facilities will be afforded for the removal of yourself
and command, together with company arms and property, and all
private property, to any post in the United States which you may
elect. The flag which you have upheld so long and with so much
fortitude, under the most trying circumstances, may be saluted
by you on taking it down.

"Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee will, for a reasonable time,
await your answer.

"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) "G. T. Beauregard,

"_Brigadier-General commanding_.

"Major Robert Anderson,

"_Commanding at Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, S. C._"

"Headquarters Fort Sumter, S. C., _April 11, 1861_.

"General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication demanding the evacuation of this fort; and to say
in reply thereto that it is a demand with which I regret that my
sense of honor and of my obligations to my Government prevents
my compliance.

"Thanking you for the fair, manly, and courteous terms proposed,
and for the high compliment paid me,

"I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) "Robert Anderson,

"_Major U. S. Army, commanding_.

"To Brigadier-General G. T. Beauregard,

"_Commanding Provisional Army, C. S. A._"

"Montgomery, _April 11th_.

"General Beauregard, _Charleston_.

"We do not desire needlessly to bombard Fort Sumter, if Major
Anderson will state the time at which, as indicated by him, he
will evacuate, and agree that, in the mean time, he will not use
his guns against us, unless ours should be employed against Fort
Sumter. You are 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.

(Signed) "L. P. Walker, _Secretary of War_."

"Headquarters Provisional Army, C. S. A.,

"Charleston, _April 11, 1861, 11_ P. M.

"Major: In consequence of the verbal observations made by you to
my aides, Messrs. Chesnut and Lee, in relation to the condition
of your supplies, and that you would in a few days be starved
out if our guns did not batter you to pieces--or words to that
effect--and desiring no useless effusion of blood, I
communicated both the verbal observation and your written answer
to my Government.

"If you will state the time at which you will evacuate Fort
Sumter, and agree that in the mean time you will not use your
guns against us, unless ours shall be employed against Fort
Sumter, we will abstain from opening fire upon you. Colonel
Chesnut and Captain Lee are authorized by me to enter into such
an agreement with you. You are therefore requested to
communicate to them an open answer.

"I remain, Major, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant,

(Signed) "G. T. Beauregard,

"_Brigadier-General commanding_.

"Major Robert Anderson,

"_Commanding at Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, S. C._"

"Headquarters Fort Sumter, S. C., _2.30_ A. M., _April 12,
1861_.

"General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
second communication of the 11th instant, by Colonel Chesnut,
and to state, in reply, that, cordially uniting with you in the
desire to avoid the useless effusion of blood, I will, if
provided with the proper and necessary means of transportation,
evacuate Fort Sumter by noon on the 15th instant, should I not
receive, prior to that time, controlling instructions from my
Government, or additional supplies; and that I will not, in the
mean time, open my fire upon your forces unless compelled to do
so by some hostile act against this fort, or the flag of my
Government, by the forces under your command, or by some portion
of them, or by the perpetration of some act showing a hostile
intention on your part against this fort or the flag it bears.

"I have the honor to be, General,

"Your obedient servant,

(Signed) "Robert Anderson,

"_Major U. S. Army, commanding_.

"To Brigadier-General G. T. Beauregard,

"_Commanding Provisional Army, C. S. A._"

"Fort Sumter, S. C., _April 12, 1861, _3.20_ A. M.

"Sir: By authority of Brigadier-General Beauregard, commanding
the provisional forces of the Confederate States, we have the
honor to notify you that he will open the fire of his batteries
on Fort Sumter in one hour from this time.

"We have the honor to be, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servants,

(Signed) "James Chesnut, Jr,

"_Aide-de-camp_.

(Signed) "Stephen D. Lee,

"_Captain S. C. Army, and Aide-de-camp_.

"Major Robert Anderson,

"_United States Army, commanding Fort Sumter_."

It is essential to a right understanding of the last two letters to give more than a superficial attention to that of Major Anderson, bearing in mind certain important facts not referred to in the correspondence. Major Anderson had been requested to state the time at which he _would evacuate_ the fort, if unmolested, agreeing in the mean time not to use his guns against the city and the troops defending it unless _Fort Sumter_ should be first attacked by them. On these conditions General Beauregard offered to refrain from opening fire upon him. In his reply Major Anderson promises to evacuate the fort on the 15th of April, _provided_ he should not, before that time, receive "controlling instructions" or "additional supplies" from his Government. He furthermore offers to pledge himself not to open fire upon the Confederates, unless in the mean time compelled to do so by some hostile act against the fort _or the flag of his Government_.

Inasmuch as it was known to the Confederate commander that the "controlling instructions" were already issued, and that the "additional supplies" were momentarily expected; inasmuch, also, as any attempt to introduce the supplies would compel the opening of fire upon the vessels bearing them under the flag of the United States--thereby releasing Major Anderson from his pledge--it is evident that his conditions could not be accepted. It would have been merely, after the avowal of a hostile determination by the Government of the United States, to await an inevitable conflict with the guns of Fort Sumter and the naval forces of the United States in combination; with no possible hope of averting it, unless in the improbable event of a delay of the expected fleet for nearly four days longer. (In point of fact, it arrived off the harbor on the same day, but was hindered by a gale of wind from entering it.) There was obviously no other course to be pursued than that announced in the answer given by General Beauregard.

It should not be forgotten that, during the early occupation of Fort Sumter by a garrison the attitude of which was at least offensive, no restriction had been put upon their privilege of purchasing in Charleston fresh provisions, or any delicacies or comforts not directly tending to the supply of the means needful to hold the fort for an indefinite time.

[Footnote 165: See "The Record of Fort Sumter," p. 37.]

[Footnote 166: The Count of Paris libels the memory of Major Anderson, and perverts the truth of history in this, as he has done in other particulars, by saying, with reference to the visit of Captain Fox to the fort, that, "having visited Anderson at Fort Sumter, _a plan had been agreed upon between them for revictualing the garrison_."--("Civil War in America," authorized translation, vol. i, chap. iv, p. 137.) Fox himself says, in his published letter, "I made no arrangements with Major Anderson in for supplying the fort, nor did I inform him of my plan"; and Major Anderson, in the letter above, says the idea had been "merely hinted at" by Captain Fox, and that Colonel Lamon had led him to believe that it had been abandoned.]