2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
ANDERSON, Robert (1805-1871) Surrendered Sumter to the Confederates after a thirty-four hour bombardment, he would raise the U.S. flag over the fort on April 14, 1865, exactly four years after he had hauled it down. Autograph "Fort Sumter S.C. March 13, 1861 Respectfully yr obt servt Robert Anderson Major USA." on 1p. octavo leaf with wax seal. Fine. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union, leaving Major Robert Anderson and his Federal troops in a indefensible position at Fort Moultrie in Charleston. Anderson decided to remove himself and his troops to Fort Sumter a more defensible position in Charleston Harbor. When Lincoln was inaugurated in March, 1861, the South held virtually all the former Federal forts located in her territory, except for Fort Sumter. On March 1, Anderson instructed Washington that he need to evacuate the fort or be resupplied. This of course presented a conundrum to the newly elected President and his cabinet, and after much debate, they decided to resupply Anderson with only non-military supplies. On April 11, as the supplies neared Sumter, the Confederates demanded the forts surrender. Anderson refused to surrender and the Confederates opened up on them with their batteries at 4:30 AM on April 12, 1861 and continued the assault for 34 hours. No one was killed in the bombardment but Major Anderson was forced to surrender his post and the Confederates took charge of the fabled fort.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.