Confederate Telegrams Leading to Fort Sumter Attack
The opening shot of the Civil War was a mortar fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861. Before the commencement of this attack, Gen Beauregard (the Confederate officer in charge at Charleston) and LeRoy Walker (the Confederate Secretary of War in Montgomery) exchanged a flurry of telegrams discussing the situation.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), which provided some of the best journalism throughout the Civil War, was on top of the Fort Sumter story right at the outset. With the help of some clever “surveillance,” this newspaper obtained and printed the Confederate telegrams in its April 13, 1861, issue—the day the bombardment of the fort ended, leading to its surrender and its occupation by Confederate troops the next day, April 14.
Surveillance of the Telegraph Lines
Charleston, April 12
The fight has commenced. This is all I can say at present.
Second despatch. Charleston, April 12
The ball has been opened at last, and war is inaugurated. The batteries on Sullivan’s Island, Morris Island, and other points, opened on Fort Sumter at 4 o’clock this morning. Fort Sumter returned the fire, and a brisk cannonading has been kept up. No information has been received from the seaboard yet. The military are under arms, and the whole of our population are on the streets. Every available space facing the harbor is filled with anxious spectators.
Correspondence between the Southern Authorities Preceding the Hostilities
Charleston, April 12
The following is the telegraphic correspondence which took place between the War Department of the Confederate Government and Gen. Beauregard, immediately preceding the commencement of hostilities. The correspondence grew out of the formal notification of the United States Government, disclosed in Gen. Beauregard’s first despatch:
No. 1. Charleston, April 8
To Hon. L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
An authorized messenger from Lincoln has just informed Gov. Pickens and myself that provisions will be sent to Fort Sumter, peaceably if possible, or otherwise by force.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
No. 2. Montgomery, April 10
To Gen. G.T. Beauregard, Charleston:
If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington Government to supply Fort Sumter by force, you will at once demand its evacuation; if this is refused, proceed in such manner as you may determine to reduce it. Answer.
(Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretary of War
No. 3. Charleston, April 10
To L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
The demand will be made tomorrow at 12 o’clock.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
No. 4. Montgomery, April 10
To General Beauregard, Charleston:
Unless there are special reasons connected with your own condition, it is considered proper that you should make the demand at an earlier hour.
(Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretary of War
No. 5. Charleston, April 10
To L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
The reasons are special for twelve o’clock.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
No. 6. Charleston, April 10
To L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
The demand sent at two o’clock. Allowed till six to answer.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
No. 7. Montgomery, April 11
To General Beauregard, Charleston:
Telegraph the reply of Anderson.
(Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretary of War
No. 8. Charleston, April 11
To L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
Major Anderson replies as follows: “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication demanding the evacuation of this fort, and to say in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor, and of my obligation to my Government, prevent my compliance.”
He adds, verbally: “I will await the first shot, and if you do not batter us to pieces, we will be starved out in a few days.” Answer.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
No. 9. Montgomery, April 11
To General Beauregard, Charleston:
We do not desire needlessly to bombard Fort Sumter. If Major Anderson will state the time at which, as indicated by him, he will evacuate, and agree that, in the meantime, he will not use his guns against us unless ours should be employed against Fort Sumter, you are authorized thus to avoid the effusion of blood. If this, or its equivalent, be refused, reduce the fort as your judgment decides to be most practicable.
(Signed) L.P. Walker, Secretary of War
No. 10. Charleston, April 12
To L.P. Walker, Secretary of War:
He would not consent. I write today.
(Signed) G.T. Beauregard
The Plan of the United States Government Disclosed by Intercepted Despatches?
Charleston, April 12
Intercepted despatches disclose the fact that Mr. Fox, who had been allowed to visit Major Anderson, on the pledge that his purpose was pacific, employed his opportunity to devise a plan for supplying the fort by force, and that this plan had been adopted by the Government at Washington, and was in progress of execution.
For more information, visit the Fort Sumter Historical Handbook Web site provided by the National Park Service.
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