Capt. Harlock -> RE: Civil War 150th (4/11/2011 4:00:12 PM)
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HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL ARMY, C. S. A., Charleston, S. C., April 11, 1861. SIR: The Government of the Confederate States has hitherto forborne from any hostile demonstration against Fort Sumter, in the hope that the Government of the United States, with a view to the amicable adjustment of all questions between the two Governments, and to avert the calamities of war, would voluntarily evacuate it. There was reason at one time to believe that such would be the course pursued by the Government of the United States, and under that impression my Government has refrained from making any demand for the surrender of the fort. But the Confederate States can no longer delay assuming actual possession of a fortification commanding the entrance of one of their harbors, and necessary to its defense and security. I am ordered by the Government of the Confederate States to demand the evacuation of Fort Sumter. My aides, Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee, are authorized to make such demand of you. All proper facilities will be afforded for the removal of yourself and command, together with company arms and property, and all private property, to any post in the United States which you may select. The flag which you have upheld so long and with so much fortitude, under the most trying circumstances, may be saluted by you on taking it down. Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee will for a reasonable time, await your answer. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Maj. ROBERT ANDERSON, Commanding at Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, S.C. FORT SUMTER, S. C., April 11, 1861. GENERAL: 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 obligations to my Government, prevent my compliance. Thanking you for the fair, manly, and courteous terms proposed, and for the high compliment paid me, I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT ANDERSON, Major, First Artillery, Commanding. Brig. Gen. BEAUREGARD, Commanding Provisional Army. HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, C. S. A., Charleston, S.C., April 11, 1861. SIR: In obedience to the orders of Brigadier-General Beauregard, we left headquarters at 2.20 p.m., charged with a communication from him to Major Anderson, at Fort Sumter, in which we were authorized to demand the evacuation of the fort. We arrived there at 3.45 p.m., under a white flag. Lieutenant Davis, the officer of the day, received us very politely, and on being informed that we had a message in writing for Major Anderson which we desired to deliver in person to the officer in command of the fort, conducted us into the presence of Major Anderson. We were welcomed by the major with great courtesy, who, after receiving and reading our communication, left us to consult with his officers. About 4.30 he again joined us, bringing his reply, the contents of which he stated to us, after which, and but a short time before departing, we held a short conversation with him, in the course of which he made the following remarks: “Gentlemen, if you do not batter the fort to pieces about us, we shall be starved out in few days.” These words, under the circumstances, seemed to have much significance, and to be of sufficient importance to induce us to report them particularly. We took leave of Major Anderson and the fort at 4.40 p.m., and reached the city at 5.10 p.m. We verbally reported immediately at headquarters the substance of what is written above. All of which is respectfully submitted for the information of the brigadier-general commanding. JAMES CHESNUT, Aide-de-Camp. STEPHEN D. LEE, Captain C. S. Army, Aide-de-Camp. A. R. CHISOLM, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL ARMY, C. S. A., Charleston, S.C., April 11, 1861. MAJOR: In consequence of the verbal observation made by you to my aides, Messrs. Chesnut and Lee, in relation to the condition of your supplies, and that you would in a few days be starved out if our guns did not batter you to pieces, or words to that effect, and desiring no useless effusion of blood, I communicated both the verbal observations and your written answer to my communications to my Government. If you will state the time at which you will evacuate Fort Sumter, and agree that in the mean time you will not use your guns against us unless ours shall be employed against Fort Sumter, we will abstain from opening fire upon you. Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee are authorized by me to enter into such an agreement with you. You are, therefore, requested to communicate to them an open answer. I remain, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Maj. ROBERT ANDERSON, Commanding Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, S.C.
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