Ft. Sumter

ANDERSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/5/2008 at 09:47:07

Muscatine Journal
April 26, 1861

Major Anderson’s Account of the Evacuation of Sumter.

The following is Maj. Anderson’s dispatch to the Secretary of War:

SIR: Having defended Fort Sumter thirty-four hours, until our quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining. I accepted the terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, be the same offered by him on the 11th inst, prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort on Saturday afternoon, the 14th inst., with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns.

[Signed] ROBERT ANDERSON

Major 1st Artillery, U. S. A.