Major Anderson's Report of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie

[Pvt_Sullivan]

(Transcribed from the Official Records of the War, Series I, Chapter I)

Fort Sumter, S.C. December 26, 1860 - 8 p. m.
(Received A. G. O., December 29.)

Colonel: I have the honor to report that I have just completed, by the blessing of God, the removal of this fort of all of my garrison, except the surgeon, four non-commissioned officers, and seven men. We have one year's supply of hospital stores and about four months' supply of provisions for my command. I left orders to have all the guns at Fort Moultrie spiked, and the carriages of the 32-pounders, which are old, destroyed. I have sent orders to Captain Foster, who remains at Fort Moultrie, to destroy all the ammunition which he cannot send over. The step which I have taken was, in my opinion, necessary to prevent the effusion of blood.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT ANDERSON
Major, First Artillery, Commanding.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Major Anderson's Report of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie

Published in the NY TImes

December 28, 1860
Military Movements at Charleston.

The news from Charleston yesterday created a decided sensation. It was announced that Major ANDERSON had evacuated Fort Moultrie in the night, -- spiking the guns and taking the garrison to Fort Sumter. Everybody saw at once that this was a military precaution of the greatest importance, -- and that it secured the continued command of the port of Charleston by the Federal authorities, in spite of any movement on the part of the Disunionists.

The situation of the Forts renders this apparent. The approach for ships to Charleston harbor lies directly between Forts Moultrie and Sumter; -- each of these forts completely commanding it. Fort Moultrie is on the right -- or north side -- and is built upon the main land, surrounded by dwelling-houses, constituting the little village of Moultrieville, and covering so large a space as to require a garrison of at least 300 men to defend it against assault. An attack may be made from the high grounds which overlook it, and a party attempting an escalade would find shelter and protection in the houses and other buildings which surround it. With its present garrison, -- of two companies of artillery, in all numbering but 65 men, it would have been impossible to hold it against any considerable force.

Fort Sumter lies on the left, or south side, of the ship channel, and is built in the stream. It is of solid masonry, octagonal in form, pierced on the north, east and west sides with a double row of port-holes for heavy guns, and on the south or land side, in addition to openings for cannon, is loop-holed for musketry. It is said to be bomb-proof. A force of 150 workmen has lately been engaged in mounting the guns and putting the fort in order. It contains 140 guns, many of them being the formidable ten-inch "Columbiads," which throw either shot or shell, and have a very long range. There is a large amount of artillery stores, consisting of about 40,000 pounds of powder and a proportionate quantity of shot and shell. The City of Charleston can be shelled from Fort Sumter, and Fort Moultrie is completely commanded by it. The fort can only be approached by water, -- and the only way of entering it is through the port-holes or by the gate, the entrance to which is swept by a cross-fire from cannon on all sides.

Major ANDERSON, in taking his little garrison from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, has rendered his position perfectly secure. If the Disunionists take Fort Moultrie, they can, -- if it should be thought worth while, be driven out of it with the utmost ease. In case of absolute necessity the City of Charleston can be bombarded and destroyed, and every ship that approaches or leaves the harbor must pass directly under the guns of the fort.

The effect of this movement upon our community was remarkable, and indicated unmistakably the tone and temper of the people. If Mr. BUCHANAN could have witnessed the universal satisfaction at discovering anything like firmness and sagacity of purpose on the part of the Federal Government, he would readily have detected the secret of the universal scorn which is felt for his conduct in this emergency. Stocks rose at once, -- and there was a general exchange of congratulations upon the prospect that somebody would make a stand for the Union and the Constitution.

The general opinion seems to be that Major ANDERSON has taken this step on his own responsibility, and without orders of any kind from Washington. If this should prove to be the case, he will have already established for himself a hold on the admiration and affection of the country which will not easily be weakened or impaired. His movement awakens the courage and the hope of the people, and relieves a very painful feeling of anxiety as to the possible fate of his command and of the American flag, in the position they held before. We presume that it was prompted by intelligence of an intention on the part of the Disunionists to occupy Fort Sumter the moment they should hear of the failure of their Commission to Washington.

It is barely possible that Major ANDERSON may have acted under the orders of the President: but we do not believe it. The course which Mr. BUCHANAN has hitherto pursued affords no warrant for such a presumption -- while the entire action of the War Department has been in the other direction. Gen. SCOTT may have directed it, as it is known to be in conformity with his opinions. If he has done it without the assent or knowledge of the President, he will have a fresh claim on the admiration and gratitude of the people. The country would rejoice if such a thing were possible as his constitutional usurpation of power in the present exigency of public affairs.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Major Anderson's Report of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie

A decidedly different angle for this story as seen in The Charleston paper and reprinted in the NY times on December 31, 1860

THE EVACUATION OF FORT MOULTRIE.
WASHINGTON, Sunday, Dec. 30.

The Charleston Courier of Friday says:

"Major ANDERSON has achieved the unenviable distinction of opening civil war between American citizens by an act of gross breach of faith," and that "he has virtually and grossly violated a solemn pledge, given by his chief and accepted by South Carolina; that he had all possible assurances from South Carolina that his honor, position and duty would be respected until a proper and open declaration of war."

In its details of Maj. ANDERSON's movements, the Courier says: "The evacuation of Moultrie commenced a little after sundown on Wednesday. The men were ordered to hold themselves in readiness, with knapsacks packed; but up to the moment of leaving had no idea of abandoning the fort. They were reviewed on parade, and were then ordered to two schooners lying in the vicinity, where they embarked, taking with them all the necessaries, stores, etc. Several trips were made during the night, under cover of which a great part of the provisions and camp furniture were transported.

A greater portion of the labor expended on Fort Moultrie was upon the citadel, or centre of the west point of the position. This citadel Major ANDERSON had strengthened in every way; loop-holes were cut, and everything so arranged that in case a well-concerted attack was made he would have retired from the outer bastions to the citadel, and afterwards blown up the other portions of the fort. For this purpose mines had already been sprung and trains laid, ready for the application of the match. The barrack rooms, and every other part of the fort that was indefensible would have gone at a touch.

On the ramparts of the fort fronting Fort Sumter were nine 8-inch columbiads, mounted on wooden carriages. As soon as the evacuation was complete, these carriages were burnt, and the guns thereby dismounted. These guns, as well as those constituting the entire armament, were spiked before the fort was abandoned. This is the only damage done to the fortifications, further than cutting down the flagstaff, and breaking up of ammunition-wagons, to form ramparts on the walls of the fort.

Other particulars are given.

"The confusion could not have been more complete had the late occupants retired in the face of a besieging foe. The entire place was littered up with the odds, ends and fragments of war's desolation. The spiked guns, and those demounted by the burning of the carriages, will soon be in a position to respond to any hostile demonstrations against the place."

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Major Anderson's Report of the evacuation of Fort Moultrie

Appeared in the NY Tmes on December 29, 1860

Progress of the Rebellion in South Carolina.; Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney Occupied by the State Troops. The Palmetto Flag Flying from the Custom-house and Post-office. TROOPS CONCENTRATING AT CHARLESTON Highly Important from the Federal Capital. The South Carolina Commissioners Demand the Evacuation of Fort Sumter. What is Thought of Major Anderson's Movement. Action of the House Special Committee. A Caucus of Members from the Border States.A COMPROMISE PROBABLE.THE OCCUPATION OF FORT MOULTRIE AND CASTLE PINCKNEY.

CHARLESTON, Friday, Dec. 28.

The Palmetto flag was raised early yesterday afternoon over the Custom-house and Post-office.

At 5 o'clock last evening the Palmetto flag was raised at Castle Pinckney.

A large military force went over last night to take possession of Fort Moultrie.

Fort Moultrie and Castle Finckney were taken possession of by the South Carolina military last evening.

CHARLESTON, Friday, Dec. 28.

Capt. HUMPHREYS still holds possession of the Arsenal.

Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie are occupied by the State troops, under the instructions of the Governor of the State, to hold peaceable possession of these forts, and for the purpose of protecting the Government property.

Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie were held by about twelve men, who peaceably surrendered. There was no collision. None was anticipated when the troops left the city to garrison these forts.

The excitement is subsiding.