fort Sumter, S. C., April 5, 1861.
(Received A. G. O.,
April 8.)
Colonel L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General U. S. Army:
Colonel: I
have the honor to report everything still and quiet, and to send herewith the
report of Lieutenant Snyder, whom I sent yesterday with a short note and a
verbal message to the Governor of South Carolina. No reply has been received to
my note.
I cannot but think that Mr. Crawford has misunderstood what
he has heard in Washington, as I cannot think that the Government would
abandon, without instructions and without advice, a command which has tried to
do all its duty to our country.
I cannot but think that if the Government decides to do
nothing which can be construed into a recognition of the fact of the
dissolution of the Union, that it will, at all events, say to me that I must do
the best I can, and not compel me to do an act which will leave my motives and
actions liable to misconception.
I am sure that I shall not be left without instructions,
even though they may be confidential. After thirty odd years of service I do
not wish it to be said that I have treasonably abandoned a post and turned over
to unauthorized persons public property intrusted to my charge. I am entitled
to this act of justice at the hands of my Government, and I feel confident that
I shall not be disappointed. What to do with the public property, and where to
take my command, are questions to which answers will, I hope, be at once
returned. Unless we receive supplies, I shall be compelled to stay here without
food or to abandon this post very early next week.
Confidently hoping that I shall receive ample instructions
in time,
I am, Colonel, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
Robert Anderson,
Major First
Artillery, Commanding.
[Inclosure.]
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 1
(Serial No. 1), p. 241; Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil
War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 391-2
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