Deprivations at Fort Sumter

[scooter748driver]

In the months between the time Major Anderson and his garrison evacuated Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island (December 1860) and the firing on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces (April 1861), the garrison suffered many shortages, including food, coal and even writing paper. There were occasions where Governor Pickens tried to send food and even did at one point. However, Anderson refused to accept it.

Given the dwindling supplies, the hardship on his troops (half rations of certain items, etc.), and knowing that he could be "starved out" at some point since Washington was not attempting to resupply the fort after the Star of the West was turned back, should Anderson have accepted food/supplies from Governor Pickens? I do not suspect it would have made a difference in the ultimate outcome nor the actions taken by Confederate forces on April 12th, 1861, but it could have made the life of the garrison somewhat better in the intervening months.

Besides honor, what were the ramifications had Anderson accepted food/supplies from the government of seceded South Carolina?

 

[Sheltowee]

Hmmm…. Good post.

Do we have any details surrounding the offered provisions? Was there a stipulation attached? Was this seen by Anderson as some objectionable type of grandstanding?

All new to me.

 

[scooter748driver]

From what I've read Pickens sent 200lbs of beef, fresh potatoes and turnips to the fort on January 20th but Anderson had it all loaded back up and returned after it had been unloaded. My interpretation is that Anderson did not want to be beholdin' to Pickens.

I get it, it was a different time and the optics of such an act could have ramifications. I'm curious as to what others think those ramifications/consequences might have been and would they have affected the political climate in a positive or negative manner?

 

[Pollaco]

Heck with the food, where did the Fort get it's drinking water?

 

[unionblue]

From what I've read Pickens sent 200lbs of beef, fresh potatoes and turnips to the fort on January 20th but Anderson had it all loaded back up and returned after it had been unloaded. My interpretation is that Anderson did not want to be beholdin' to Pickens.

I get it, it was a different time and the optics of such an act could have ramifications. I'm curious as to what others think those ramifications/consequences might have been and would they have affected the political climate in a positive or negative manner?

Your source for the offer? Did you read this in a particular book or article? If so, is it available for reading?

 

[JackADriscoll]

That sounds like an occasion where the officer is like yeah hoozah we spurn your offer of food and the Private soldier is like.... What?

 

[NFB22]

Your source for the offer? Did you read this in a particular book or article? If so, is it available for reading?

I too have never read of this. The Star of the West attempted to resupply the fort a little over a week earlier and was fired upon. By April, the fort was dangerously low on supplies when the firing started. On April 10 the evening meal was coffee and rice and by the end (according to NPS publications) they were down to salted pork and water.

To answer @Polloco, that's a wonder. From all my reading it was either stored and brought from Fort Moultrie when Anderson made his move in December. There seem to have been cisterns located at the fort in which they collected rain water but during my visits, I've never seen any evidence of them but we all know the fort has been altered so badly, who would know? That said, seems stupid that there wouldn't have been a plan for water deprivation for the fort as a Third System fortification. I'm sure they had an ample supply. I'll have to pull out @jrweaver's book and look further. He's the expert.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

When the seceded Confederate States demanded the Fort's surrender, Anderson reportedly replied (in part) with, …'I regret that my sense of honor and my obligations to my Government prevent my compliance.'…

Think this message conveyed, apart from a sense of honor and commitment to duty, a tinge of obstinancy mixed in his refusal to surrender and accept supplies from Pickens.

Thought Anderson was also aware of the possible political ramifications of his predicament. Think his refusal to yield for so long and reject Pickens's offer of supplies, was also based on reasons of political expediency, and the negative effects that any such acceptance might have had on public perceptions (and support for Lincoln's Government) in the North. If he was seen as readily accepting provisions from a non-sovereign government not recognized by his employer, the US government, it would not have looked good politically, in the minds of the Northern public. Can imagine that the political spin doctors of the time, as well as Lincoln's political enemies, might have had a field day turning any acquiescence of Southern provisions, into news to discredit the Lincoln government's stand.

Thought Anderson only eventually surrendered because he was pushed to the limits, and had no other options available. He had reached breaking point, in terms of supplies, for holding out.

 

[scooter748driver]

Your source for the offer? Did you read this in a particular book or article? If so, is it available for reading?

I read it in the book Allegiance: Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War by David Detzer. I'll look to see if he sites sources.

 

[NFB22]

Pickens (& PGT) knew there was a resupply on the way. We all know the story, either way, wouldn't have been successful with the amount of firepower available even if the battle wouldn't have started. If anything, I see another Star of the West situation.

 

[Lubliner]

Indebtedness: the feeling of owing gratitude for a service or favor. [Online definition].

That explains it for me.
Lubliner.

 

[unionblue]

From what I've read Pickens sent 200lbs of beef, fresh potatoes and turnips to the fort on January 20th but Anderson had it all loaded back up and returned after it had been unloaded. My interpretation is that Anderson did not want to be beholdin' to Pickens.

I get it, it was a different time and the optics of such an act could have ramifications. I'm curious as to what others think those ramifications/consequences might have been and would they have affected the political climate in a positive or negative manner?

Your source for the offer? Did you read this in a particular book or article? If so, is it available for reading?

I read it in the book Allegiance: Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War by David Detzer. I'll look to see if he sites sources.

Can you please tell me the chapter and page you read this offer of food from Pickens to Ft. Sumter?

Would appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[scooter748driver]

Your source for the offer? Did you read this in a particular book or article? If so, is it available for reading?

Can you please tell me the chapter and page you read this offer of food from Pickens to Ft. Sumter?

Would appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

The information is found in Chapter 11 ("Hostages") on page 181.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

This is a good question. Besides the sense of honor typical of the mid 19th century, service members are taught to not accept favors from the enemy,

I agree with the folks who say that accepting the supplies from a leader of a rebellion considered illegitimate by the U.S.A. would be "bad optics!"

 

[unionblue]

The information is found in Chapter 11 ("Hostages") on page 181.

@scooter748driver ,

Thank you for supplying the above source.

It states the following:

"On January 20 Pickens suddenly sent a boat to Sumter with a supply of fresh food. Two hundred pounds of beef. Fresh potatoes and turnips. Other things. The men happily unloaded it and rushed it to the mess hall. A feast was planned. Then Anderson heard about its arrival. He sent word immediately to pack up those provisions and send them back. He would not permit Francis Pickens to act Lord Bountiful, the plantation master deigning to be generous to his "people." The garrison returned to its sorry diet of dubious pork and iffy hardtack."

I appreciate you finding and relaying this information.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[Biscoitos]

Hmmm…. Good post.

Do we have any details surrounding the offered provisions? Was there a stipulation attached? Was this seen by Anderson as some objectionable type of grandstanding?

All new to me.

There were no stipulations. The Confederates also allowed mail from and to Fort Sumter (with the North) without stipulations. Anderson did not decline this offer.

 

[scooter748driver]

No, Anderson didn't refuse the offer for mail, newspapers, etc. This was when things were more "civilized" and diplomacy was as important as firepower. I do find it curious that Anderson was ok with the allowance of mail, messages, etc. but provisions were refused.

 

[Biscoitos]

No, Anderson didn't refuse the offer for mail, newspapers, etc. This was when things were more "civilized" and diplomacy was as important as firepower. I do find it curious that Anderson was ok with the allowance of mail, messages, etc. but provisions were refused.

Peaceful communications between Fort Sumter and the Confederate authorities in Charleston harbor were held by emissaries in a rowboat on occasion as well.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

Heck with the food, where did the Fort get it's drinking water?

To answer @Polloco, that's a wonder. From all my reading it was either stored and brought from Fort Moultrie when Anderson made his move in December. There seem to have been cisterns located at the fort in which they collected rain water but during my visits, I've never seen any evidence of them but we all know the fort has been altered so badly, who would know? That said, seems stupid that there wouldn't have been a plan for water deprivation for the fort as a Third System fortification. I'm sure they had an ample supply. I'll have to pull out @jrweaver's book and look further. He's the expert.

Gentleman,

I seem to recall that Sumter was set up for boilers/a desalination still.

It's been like 30 years since i was last there - but I'd swear there was even a interpretive display placard back then that covered this - as well as traces of the steam/calcification that took a toll on the brickwork.

 

[NFB22]

Gentleman,

I seem to recall that Sumter was set up for boilers/a desalination still.

It's been like 30 years since i was last there - but I'd swear there was even a interpretive display placard back then that covered this - as well as traces of the steam/calcification that took a toll on the brickwork.

I do believe you're correct, but I think they were brought in once the fort was in Confederate hands to supplement the water supply as the cisterns had been damaged during the bombardment and had to be repaired.

That said, I do know there was a similar system within Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas as they had problems with the original system for collecting fresh water.