Battle Of Fort Sumter Summary

Words: 1650
Pages: 7

The Civil War consisted of many Battles but, one of the first battles was the Battle of Fort Sumter. Before the battle started, in Charleston, tempers were on edge, as a delegation heads to Washington, D.C., expecting to make the Federal military installations in the Republic of South Carolina surrender. But, the president, James Buchanan, declined. Sumter, Castle Pinkney, and Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s defense of the harbor. Major Anderson’s command is mainly based at Fort Moultrie, but they are firing out at the sea, not able to defend a land attack. December 26, Anderson and his garrison of 90 men were able to move to Fort Sumter, catching the Charlestonians by surprise. On January 5, the Star of the West departs New York with 200 reinforcements …show more content…
Lincoln informs the southern delegates about his intentions to resupply Fort Sumter since its garrison is in need but, to the Carolinians if any attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter means war. Davis orders Beauregard to take Fort Sumter, and he and the Confederate Cabinet also decide to strike. Three of Beauregard’s aides sail to the fort and demand surrender. Anderson refuses, he also told the delegation that the suspension will last until April 15. On April 12, a shot flies through the air and explodes over Fort Sumter, the Confederate fire from the fortifications and the floating batteries around Charleston Harbor. Anderson, which is outmanned, undersupplied, outgunned, and almost surrounded by the enemies, waited around 7:00 a.m. to respond. Captain Abner Doubleday was the first to fire the cannon, the 32 pound shot at the Iron Battery on Cummings Point. The two sides kept fighting for around 36 hours. The Confederates fire from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, as the buildings begin to burn, Anderson runs out of resources and surrenders Fort Sumter to Confederate Forces. On April 13, 2:30 p.m., Major Anderson and his army prepare to leave the …show more content…
As time passes by, Pemberton’s defenders are getting exposed to the elements, the constant attacks from Grant’s army and the navy gunboats. Many are getting sick and the number of casualties increases, as the army of Vicksburg grows increasingly thin. On June 25, Union forces under Grant’s command dug tunnels under the Confederates and detonated a mine with 2,200 pounds of black powder, which caused a huge explosion. More than 20 hours passed and the fighting continued in the 12 foot deep crater left by the explosion. The Union soldiers are no longer able to advance and they retreat back to their lines, but the siege continues. July 3 through July 4, Grant and Pemberton meet between their lines. Grant, insisting on an unconditional surrender, fails to persuade Pemberton and Pemberton declines. Later that night, Grant decides to release the Confederate defenders. On July 4, the siege of Vicksburg was over. During the Civil War, another one of the deadliest battles would be the Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle lasted three days but it had around 50,000 casualties. The objective of General Lee during the war was to win a battle north of the Mason-Dixon to be able to force an end to the