Major Anderson

[atlantis]

Did major Anderson do the right thing by redeploying to Fort Sumter from Fort Moultrie. I am unclear as to what his orders were pre bombardment, was he to avoid an incident or was he to prepare to close the harbor.

 

[jackt62]

Anderson moved the undermanned US garrison in Charleston Harbor at Ft. Moultrie to the stronger Ft. Sumter, as it being a greater defensible position. Anderson made the decision (a correct one), on his own in a manner by which he interpreted his broad orders to hold federal points in the harbor.

 

[jackt62]

Anderson surreptitiously moved his garrison from Ft. Moultrie on December 26, 1860, a move that most certainly was not applauded by the then current Buchannan administration. Anderson wasn't trying to provoke an incident, he was simply trying to perform his duty as a US Army officer to protect his post most effectively.

 

[OpnCoronet]

By his orders, Maj. Anderson was to hold and defend all govt property assigned him by his superiors. He was defend himself and his command to the utmost of his ability, but not required to fight to the last man, i.e., he could surrender to a superior force, if required.

An officer inspecting situation at Charleston Harbor and Andersons command for the Secy of War, added specific permission for Anderson to move his command to any of the military posts he ad authority over, if he thought it necessary(in other words it was his decision to make). This permission was received and countersigned by the Secy of War.



ThWaar.

 

[jackt62]

he could surrender to a superior force, if required.

Had Davis and the South Carolinians understood the ramifications of that instruction, they could have accepted the surrender of Ft. Sumter without firing a shot. Anderson's garrison was on the verge of starvation and was poised to surrender within days. But by commencing the bombardment of the fort, the Confederacy was placed in the position of starting hostilities, a big mistake, given it led to a burst of northern enthusiasm and support for the Union.