12 April, 1861 - Early this morning a single star shell fired from James Island signaled the beginning of something ominous. It appears at this moment based on telegrams received from the Fort that the United States of America has come under attack from within. We have reports of shells being fired at the fort from Cumming's Point, the site of the first shot, fired by Edmond Ruffin, from the Floating Battery on Sullivan's Island, from Fort Moultrie, from the Dahlgren Battery on Sullivan's Island, as well as the batteries on the Charleston peninsula downtown and ringing the fort. The garrison apparently ate their breakfast at 0630 and did not return fire until 0700, returning fire first at Fort Moultrie.
Time will tell if the Union shall be maintained or dissolved as a result of this early action.
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,
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,
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 Government, 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 as 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,
12 April, 1861 - Early this morning a single star shell fired from James Island signaled the beginning of something ominous. It appears at this moment based on telegrams received from the Fort that the United States of America has come under attack from within. We have reports of shells being fired at the fort from Cumming's Point, the site of the first shot, fired by Edmond Ruffin, from the Floating Battery on Sullivan's Island, from Fort Moultrie, from the Dahlgren Battery on Sullivan's Island, as well as the batteries on the Charleston peninsula downtown and ringing the fort. The garrison apparently ate their breakfast at 0630 and did not return fire until 0700, returning fire first at Fort Moultrie.
Brigadier General BEAUREGARD,
