Fort Sumter, in the very mouth of the harbor, was in an unfinished state and without a garrison.
On the night of the 26th of December, 1860, Maj. Robert Anderson dismantled Fort
Moultrie and removed his command by boats over to Fort Sumter. The following account of the
effect of this removal of Major Anderson upon the people, and the action of the government, is
taken from Brevet Major-General Crawford's "Genesis of the Civil War." General Crawford was
at the time on the medical staff and one of Anderson's officers. His book is a clear and admirable
narrative of the events of those most eventful days, and is written in the spirit of the utmost
candor and fairness. In the conclusion of the chapter describing the removal, he says:
The fact of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie by Major Anderson was soon communicated to the
authorities and people of Charleston, creating intense excitement. Crowds collected in streets
and open places of the city, and loud and violent were the expressions of feeling against Major
Anderson and his action ... [The governor of the State was ready to act in accordance with the
feeling displayed.] On the morning of the 27th, he dispatched his aide-de-camp, Col. Johnston
Pettigrew, of the First South Carolina Rifles, to Major Anderson. He was accompanied by Maj.
Ellison Capers, of his regiment. Arriving at Fort Sumter, Colonel Pettigrew sent a card inscribed,
"Colonel Pettigrew, First Regiment Rifles, S.C. M., Aide-de-Camp to the Governor,
Commissioner to Major Anderson. Ellison Capers, Major First Regiment Rifles, S.C. M." . . .
Colonel Pettigrew and his companion were ushered into the room. The feeling was reserved and
formal, when, after declining seats, Colonel Pettigrew immediately opened his mission: "Major
Anderson," said he, "can I communicate with you now, sir, before these officers, on the subject
for which I am here?" "Certainly, sir," replied Major Anderson, "these are all my officers; I have
no secrets from them, sir." The commissioner then informed Major Anderson that he was
directed to say to him that the governor was much surprised that he had reinforced "this work."
Major Anderson promptly responded that there had been no reinforcement of the work; that he
had removed his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, as he had a right to do, being in
command of all the forts in the harbor. To this Colonel Pettigrew replied that when
To this Major Anderson replied, that as far as any understanding between the President and the
governor was concerned, he had not been informed; that he knew nothing of it; that he could get
no information or positive orders from Washington, and that his position was threatened every
night by the troops of the State. He was then asked by Major Capers, who accompanied Colonel
Pettigrew, "How?" when he replied, "By sending out steamers armed and conveying troops on
board ;" that these steamers passed the fort going north, and that he feared a landing on the
island and the occupation of the sand-hills just north of the fort; that 100 riflemen on these hills,
which commanded his fort, would make it impossible for his men to serve their guns; and that
any man with a military head must see this. "To prevent this," said he earnestly, "I removed on
my own responsibility, my sole object being to prevent bloodshed." Major Capers replied that the
steamer was sent out for patrol purposes, and as much to prevent disorder among his own
people as to ascertain whether any irregular attempt was being made to reinforce the fort, and
that the idea of attacking him was never.. entertained by the little squad who patroled the harbor.
Major Anderson replied to this that he was wholly in the dark as to the intentions of the State
troops, but that he had reason to believe that they meant to land and attack him from
the north; that the desire of the governor to have the matter settled peacefully and without
bloodshed was precisely his object in removing his command from Moultrie to Sumter; that he
did it upon his own responsibility alone, because he considered that the safety of his command
required it, as he had a right to do. "In this controversy," said he, "between the North and the
South, my sympathies are entirely with the South. These gentlemen," said he (turning to the
officers of the post who stood about him), "know it perfectly well." Colonel Pettigrew replied,
"Well, sir, however that may be, the governor of the State directs me to say to you courteously
but peremptorily, to return to Fort Moultrie." "Make my compliments to the governor (said
Anderson) and say to him that I decline to accede to his request; I cannot and will not go back."
"Then, sir," said Pettigrew, "my business is done," when both officers, without further ceremony
or leavetaking, left the fort.
Colonel Pettigrew and Major Capers returned to the city and made their report to the governor
and council who were in session in the council chamber of the city hall. That afternoon Major
Anderson raised the flag of his country over Sumter, and went vigorously to work mounting his
guns and putting the fort in military order. The same afternoon the governor issued orders to
Colonel Pettigrew, First regiment of rifles, and to Col. W. G. De Saussure, First regiment
artillery, commanding them to take immediate possession of Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie.
Neither fort was garrisoned, and the officers in charge, after making a verbal protest, left and
went to Fort Sumter, and the Palmetto flag was raised over
Moultrie and Pinckney.