Surrender of Fort Sumter (1861)

BY MAJOR ROBERT ANDERSON

B. ANDERSON’S REPORT

STEAMSHIP BALTIC, OFF SANDY HOOK,

April 18, [1861]—10.30 a.m.—via New York.

HAVING defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge walls 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 remaining but pork, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the 11th instant, prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort Sunday afternoon, the 14th instant, with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns.

ROBERT ANDERSON,

Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

Hon. S. CAMERON,

Secretary of War, Washington.

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, First Series, (Washington, 1880) I, 12–24 passim.