The American Civil War January 1861 The South Secedes.

Throughout the decade ending with the Presidential elections of 1860, tensions between the northern and southern states increased to dangerous levels. The primary issue was, of course, slavery. Bloody fighting had broken out in several border areas over the question of weather the territories were going to be admitted to the Union as “Free” or “Slave” states. Perhaps the most notable was in Kansas where is was so dangerous that hundreds of people died and whole town were burned to the ground in the fighting and it became known as Bloody Kansas.

When Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president, the South Carolina legislature perceived a threat. Calling a state convention, the delegates voted in January 1861 to remove the state of South Carolina from the union known as the United States of America. The secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of six more states -- Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas -- and the threat of secession by four more -- Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America.

Another very significant event took place on January 9th, 1861. It involved developments at Fort Sumter, a Federal Fort located in the mouth of Charleston Bay in South Carolina. Without prior notice to, or knowledge of, Major Anderson, the officer in command of Fort Sumter, a merchant ship named Star of the West had been secretly leased by the Federal Government and loaded with relief supplies for the fort. It left from New York and entered Charleston harbor headed toward Fort Sumter. It had been learned by the South just prior to this event that hidden below the decks were two hundred armed soldiers with ammunition, and supplies; therefore, the South Carolina troops fired several shots across it’s bow and forced it to turn away before reaching the fort to deliver it’s cargo. Because this was a civilian ship, not a U.S. Navy vessel, and because the ship was not hit and no one was injured, these shots are not considered the first fired in the Civil War, but they increased the tensions between North and South to the boiling point.

An interesting point here is how close this incident came to an actual outbreak of hostilities. In Fort Sumter Major Anderson had no idea this ship was bringing him supplies. He only observed a ship, flying an American Flag, being fired upon by South Carolina forces. He ordered several pieces of his heavy artillery to target the Confederates in order to protect the ship. When the ship turned away before he could open fire, he had his artillery stand down. Had he fired, the war would very likely have broken out right then. As it turned out, it would take another 4 months before the cannons fired in earnest.

Following this incident Major Anderson received the following letter:

WAR DEPARTMENT, January 16, 1861

Major Robert Anderson,
First Artillery, commanding Fort Sumter:
Sir: You rightly designate the firing into the Star of the West as an `act of war,’ and one which was actually committed without the slightest provocation. Your forbearance to return the fire is fully approved by the President. Unfortunately, the Government had not been able to make known to you that the Star of the West had sailed from New York for your relief. . . .

Your late dispatches have relieved the Government of the apprehensions previously entertained for your safety. In Consequence, it is not its purpose at present to reinforce you. The attempt to do so would, no doubt, be attended by a collision of arms and the effusion of blood—a national calamity which the President is most anxious to avoid.

Whenever, in your judgment, additional supplies or reinforcements are necessary for your safety, or for a successful defense of the fort, you will at once communicate that fact to this Department, and a prompt and vigorous effort will be made to forward them.

J. HOLT

This letter is a very good example of the "political" mind at work. Remember, the reason they were sending supplies is because Major Anderson had requested them. This letter, therefor, reflects both hypocrisy and contradiction. First it says they tried to send the supplies. Next it says they aren't going to send supplies because it could result in bloodshed. It concludes by saying "just let us know when we want supplies and we'll send them". These instructions must have left poor Major Anderson, sitting in a fort surrounded by hostile forces, feeling confused and isolated,





Live Long and Prosper....