The First Battle
The next morning, the Nina's crew noticed soldiers on Fort Sumter. While they were standing around, Major Anderson's crew looked down upon them with triumphant grins. The Nina spread the word that Union forces had moved to Fort Sumter. This was alarming news for the Confederates. Major Anderson turned his attention to a solemn duty. He called the men for thanksgiving and prayer. He believed God was responsible for their passage. He proudly carried the Union flag. When he placed it down, he knelt to bow his grey head. The men were filled with admiration for their leader, and new confidence for their country. When he hoisted the flag, the men broke into cheers. Little did they know the troubles at Fort Sumter were far from over? The South commenced a siege of the fort, which lasted about four months.
Two of General Beauregard's aides were sent out to Fort Sumter with the terms of surrender. Major Anderson refused, and the aides told him that they were going to fire on him in one hour.
On April 12, 1861, General P. G. T. Beauregard strengthened the batteries around Fort Sumter. He was getting ready to fire on the fort, since it was held by Union forces. The U.S. Government tried to supply the struggling fort, but failed when the supply ship was gunned down by Confederate forces. At 4:30 a.m., General P. G. T. Beauregard openly fired artillery batteries at Fort Sumter. The Union returned fire, though significantly outgunned. The hallways were filled with smoke, and the soldiers were forced up and out of the fort and into cannon range. The women and children in Charlestown were awakened by the sound of cannon-fire. “No one thought of going home; unused as their ears were to the appalling sounds, or the vivid flashes from the batteries, they stood for hours fascinated with horror"(Lee, Johnson).
The Confederates shells exploded on or over the fort. After 34 hours of fighting, the Union finally surrendered the fort to the Confederates.