Civil War > Sumter Falls

Fort Sumter, a federal fort located in Charleston Harbor, refused to surrender to the Confederates. Sixty-eight soldiers under the command of Major Anderson had been in the fort from December 26th, without supply. When Lincoln made the decision to resupply the Fort, the Confederacy decided to assault. In the middle of the night of the 12th, Confederate emmisaries brought Major Anderson an ultimatum either– surrender by 4 A.M. or the Confederate batteries will open fire. On the 4:30 A.M. on the 12th, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard gave the order to open fire. The next afternoon Major Anderson surrendered. The war was on.