It is difficult to believe that the first battle of one of the bloodiest wars in American history resulted in no casualties. Fort Sumter's battle lasted from the 12th to the 14th of April, 1861, and would be the start of a war that tore the nation apart. The Civil War would last from 1861 to 1865, with approximately 640,000 to 700,000 lives lost. But why did this battle begin? Why was the country so divided that it turned Americans against Americans? Let’s take a closer look!
Battle of Fort Sumter Summary
For nearly 100 years, the United States was divided between those who were pro-slavery and those who were anti-slavery. With a series of short-lived agreements that often ended in violence (for example, the Kansas-Nebraska Act), tensions between the two groups were mounting rapidly.
Upon the election of Republican President Abraham Lincoln in November of 1860 and his inauguration in March 1861, the Democratic South reached its breaking point.
I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave, half free” – Abraham Lincoln, "A House Divided" speech, June 16th, 1861
Fig. 1 - Abraham Lincoln
This statement from Lincoln drove deep fear into the South, as it threatened their economy, which was dependent on enslavement. With the abolitionist movement on the rise in the North, the South believed that they would soon lose the right to their slaves.
During the period known as “Secession Winter,” the state of South Carolina decided on its separation from the Union on December 20th, 1860.
Secession Winter began one month after the election of Abraham Lincoln; this is the period when 6 states claimed their secession over only a few months.
By February 4th, 1861, 6 more states had followed in South Carolina's footsteps. On this same day, Southern delegates met in Montgomery, Alabama. It was here that the "Confederate States of America" was formed, with Mississippi Senator, Jefferson Davis, being elected as its president.
The Confederate States of America, also known simply as the Confederacy, was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the US consisting of 7 to 11 states. The Confederacy lasted from 1861 to 1865.
The South immediately began to seize Northern-controlled property and forts and eventually sent delegates to Washington DC to request the surrender of Federal military installations from President James Buchannan, who refused.
Fort Sumter Map
The Charleston Harbor in South Carolina was defended by 3 federal forts; Sumter, Castle Pickney, and Moultrie. Originally, Union leader Major Robert Anderson commanded his base from Fort Moultrie. However, he and a small army of approximately 90 men moved into Fort Sumter as it would be easier to defend (Moultrie's weapons were mainly pointed out to sea, and Sumter was based on land). Anderson viewed this move as preparation for violence by secessionists, adding fuel to the already burning fire.
Fig. 2 - Map of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie
Fig. 2 - MAP showing Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. South Carolina Charleston United States, None. [Between 1909 and 1914] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2016852948/.
On January 4th, 1861, a ship, "Star of the West," left New York to bring supplies and troops to Anderson and his men at Fort Sumter. However, they were forced to turn back when they reached the harbor on January 9th due to firing from Confederate militia batteries. Despite calls for Anderson to surrender from the Union and the Confederacy, Anderson refused and held his ground with limited supplies. The deep South had already overtaken several US military facilities, and Fort Sumter was viewed as one of the last remaining hurdles in achieving their sovereignty.
On April 9th, 1861, Jefferson Davis ordered Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard to move forward and take Fort Sumter. In an attempt to make a deal before firing, 3 of Beauregard's men sailed to the fort to ask for Anderson's surrender, to which he replied that it was his honor and duty to remain within the fort. Despite his imminent loss, he persisted and let the 3 men know that his supplies would only last until April 15th.
Battle of Fort Sumter Civil War
In the early morning hours of April 12th, 1861, flaming mortar shots that were fired by the Confederate army exploded over Fort Sumter. The Confederate army not only made use of Fort Moultrie but also floating batteries within the harbor. This left the tiny Union army outnumbered, outgunned, and completely undersupplied. Major Anderson and his men stood no chance against what was coming for them. Upon coming to terms once again with this reality, Anderson did not return fire until hours later, with a Union Captain firing the first shot of retaliation.
For almost 36 hours, the Union army held strong throughout a fight they knew they could not win until they eventually ran out of supplies. Buildings within the fort were burned to the ground due to cannon fire breaking through the 5-foot thick walls. They soon surrendered to the Confederate army with no supplies left to return fire.
Beauregard allowed the men to leave the next day on April 13th, and as they were preparing for their 100-gun salute, a round exploded early and caused the only two casualties of the battle. With that, the men set sail for New York, hailed as heroes despite a bitter loss. Though no one was killed by the opposing side, it was just the beginning of what would become an extremely bloody war.
Friends fighting Against Each Other
It is worth noting that Anderson and Beauregard knew each other before the beginning of the war; both men attended the US Military Academy at West Point, as it was the top school for American soldiers from the North and the South. Despite their close friendship, or kind feelings towards one another, each of the men followed their orders when it came down to it. Interestingly, enough respect was held from Beauregard to make Anderson aware of his oncoming attack and allow him the opportunity to surrender before any shots were fired. Their final correspondences with each other were signed as such-
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant"
G. T. BEAUREGARDBrigadier-General, Commanding, 1861
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant"
ROBERT ANDERSONMajor, First Artillery, Commanding, 1861
Upon being unable to convince Anderson to hand Fort Sumter over to the Confederacy, Beauregard's final letter was signed-
I remain, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant"
G. T. BEAUREGARDBrigadier-General, Commanding, 1861
Fig. 3 - General P.G.T Beauregard 
Fig. 4 - Major Robert Anderson
Outcome of the Battle of Fort Sumter
After Anderson and his men had left, the Confederate army moved in. It took control of the fort, which would be held by the Confederates for 4 years until the end of the Civil War and the Charleston Evacuation in February of 1865.
Did you know?
Fort Sumter became a symbol of Confederate rebellion during the war.
Following the battle of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln called upon volunteers to help stop the rebellion of the Confederate states. During this time, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina announced their loyalties to the Confederacy.
The first Union assault on Fort Sumter after being taken by the Confederacy was in April of 1863 when Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont attempted a naval attack on Charleston. As the Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Du Pont arrived in Charleston with nine warships.
Unfortunately, his attack was poorly planned and faced difficult weather conditions. Along with the help of Fort Sumter, Confederate troops (once again led by Beauregard) fired upon the ships. With the Union outgunned again and unable to navigate the harsh currents, Du Pont’s fleet eventually withdrew.
Battle of Fort Sumter Significance
The battle of Fort Sumter was the beginning of the Civil War (1861-1865), and it enabled Confederate forces to create a vulnerable hole in the Union on the Atlantic seaboard.
Fig. 5 - Colored postcard of Fort Sumter
Battle of Fort Sumter Facts
| Battle | Leaders | Location | History | Fun Facts! |
| - The Battle of Fort Sumter took place from the 12th to 14th of April, 1861- There were no casualties on either side during the active battle (there were only two after Anderson's surrender due to a misfire during send-off) | - The Union army at Fort Sumter was led by Major Robert Anderson - The Confederate Army at Fort Sumter was led by General P.G.T Beauregard | - The Battle of Fort Sumter took place in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina- Other forts in the Harbor are Fort Moultrie and Castle Pickney | - The construction of Fort Sumter was prompted by attacks from outside naval forces during the War of 1812- Fort Sumter was named after a Revolutionary War General named Thomas Sumter | - Fort Sumter sits on a man-made island of granite- Fort Sumter was not complete when this battle started; it should have been equipped with 113 cannons, but only had 15 |
Fort Sumter - Key takeaways
The battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War (1861-1865)
Fort Sumter sat in Charleston Harbor along with Fort Moultrie and Castle Pickney.
The battle of Fort Sumter was led by Union leader Major Anderson and Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard.
The battle lasted from April 12th to April 14th, 1861, and ended with a Union surrender.
Despite leading to one of the bloodiest wars in American history, the battle of Fort Sumter saw no casualties.
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