How Did Fort Sumter Build Fort

Fort Sumter was originally constructed as a coastal garrison. The U.S. Army had Fort Moultrie but decided to build other forts around the harbor. In 1827, plans to build the forts began. In December 1860, after 32 years of construction, Fort Sumter was still not finished. Of the 135 guns planned for the fort, only 15 were in place. The fort’s outer walls were 8-12 feet thick and 50 feet tall. It had five walls, and on four of these walls there were two levels with guns that could defend the fort and harbor. Officer quarters were located on the fifth side which was also the longest at 316 feet long. This fort was named for General Thomas Sumter, a South Carolinian who had fought in the Revolutionary War. (civilwartalk.com) Major Anderson moved …show more content…
It was surrounded by water and provided better protection than Fort Moultrie. Governor Pickens realized how dangerous it would be if United States soldiers had access to the fort’s guns and cannons. If these cannons were in the possession of the U.S. soldiers, they could easily close the harbor and crush South Carolina’s rebellion.( January, pg.7-8) Governor Francis Pickens was pressured to do something about Anderson because many believed he would not stay at Fort Moultrie but move to a better position. On December 24, Governor Pickens sent proxies to Washington to negotiate what was to be done with the occupied forts. He also did this to see what could be done to ensure that Anderson stayed at Fort Moultrie. However, Anderson was already on the move. …show more content…
The next day, he cut it off completely. Gangs of African Americans were noticed hard at work strengthening the defenses on Morris Island. On the 6th and 7th of April, a number of naval vessels left New York and Norfolf under sealed orders. Their destinations could hardly be doubted: Fort Sumter. Following the incident of April 3rd, Lieutenant Talbot was sent off to Washington to deliver news of what had occurred. He arrived on the 6th but was immediately sent back with a message for Governor Pickens. This message was to inform Pickens that the Government intended to provision Fort Sumter at all costs. The message was delivered on the 8th. Anderson also received the information that a relief expedition was being mounted.( Doubleday, pg. 138-139) The Lincoln administration left the Confederates to decide whether or not they opened fire on the Union supply ship or the fort. The Union also made it clear that they did not intend to give up the fort. (Historynet.com)
Beauregard immediately telegraphed the information he had received to the rebel Secretary of War.( Doubleday, pg. 139) He received orders on the 10th to demand that Fort Sumter surrender. If the surrender was refused, Beauregard was instructed to open fire. He began to move men and artillery into place. He sent envoys on the 11th to Fort Sumter to demand its surrender.( Historynet.com) At about 3p.m., Colonel James Chestnut and Captain