Robert Anderson was a United States Army officer during the American Civil War. He was the Union commander in the first battle of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861; the Confederates bombarded the fort and forced its surrender to start the war.
Background
Robert Anderson was born on June 14, 1805 in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, the son of Richard Clough Anderson Sr. and Sarah (Marshall) Anderson, and half-brother of Richard Clough Anderson Jr.
His father, a lieutenant-colonel in the Continental Army, removed from Virginia to Kentucky after the Revolution.
Education
He graduated from West Point in 1825 and was commissioned in the 3rd Artillery.
Career
After a few months as private secretary to his brother, who was minister to Colombia, he served at various stations on artillery or ordnance duty; took part in the Black Hawk and Florida wars, receiving a brevet for gallantry in action; and was for three years assistant adjutant-general of the Eastern Department. He served as a captain under Gen. Scott in the campaign of 1847 against the City of Mexico, until wounded at the battle of Molino del Rey. For his conduct here he received another brevet.
From then until 1860 he was engaged in routine duties and also served on important boards relating to artillery matters. He translated certain French texts on artillery, which were used in instruction in the army. It was partly through his efforts that the Soldiers' Home was established.
He was promoted major in 1857. When secession became imminent Anderson was sent to take command of the forts in Charleston Harbor, S. C. His selection for the post was due to both military and political considerations.
Of the three forts designed to protect the harbor, but one (Fort Moultrie) was garrisoned. Here Anderson remained for some five weeks, meanwhile urgently calling upon the War Department to reinforce him, and representing that Fort Moultrie by itself could not be held against attack. From his government he received only vague and conflicting instructions, but no assistance in men or munitions.
On December 20, South Carolina passed the ordinance of secession. Satisfied that hostile acts were imminent, he proceeded on December 26 to a "dramatic, bold and self-reliant act, one for which the country owes a debt to this upright and excellent commander. "
Making his preparations with such secrecy that his own officers did not suspect his design until its execution was ordered, he spiked the guns at Fort Moultrie and shifted its garrison to Fort Sumter, which, rising from a shoal in the harbor, could not be approached by land. Personally loyal though he was, Anderson, like many other Union men in those days, believed that separation was inevitable; the most he hoped for was that the seceding states might "at some future time be won back by conciliation and justice. " His earnest desire was to keep the peace until his government should be ready to evacuate the posts and turn them over to the seceding states.
This is the key both to his boldness in occupying Sumter and to his inaction when the Star of the West entered the harbor on January 9, 1861, bearing the reinforcements for which he had pleaded. Sumter was occupied, not as an aggressive movement, but to prevent the outbreak of civil war.
When the Star of the West was fired upon by the South Carolina batteries, she was not supported by fire from Fort Sumter, and turned back. Anderson was not wholly to blame. As he told the governor of South Carolina some days before, he "could get no information or positive orders from Washington, " and was left to act upon his "own responsibility alone. "
When confronted on April 11 with a formal demand for the surrender of his post, he showed no hesitation or weakness, but "defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge walls seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames"; and then, accepting the terms offered, marched out "with colors flying and drums beating saluting my flag with fifty guns. "
He was appointed brigadier-general in the regular army, May 15, 1861, and for a short time commanded in Kentucky, where he helped to save the state for the Union. His health giving way, he was relieved in October 1861. He never completely recovered, and performed little duty between that time and the date of his retirement from active service on October 27, 1863. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers in 1865, and was sent to raise the flag over Fort Sumter on April 14, four years from the date he lowered it.
He died in Nice on October 26, 1871.
Achievements
Religion
Anderson was deeply religious.
Views
He was pro-slavery in principles.
Quotations:
"Nothing will be better calculated to prevent bloodshed than our being found in such an attitude that it would be madness and folly to attack us. "
Personality
He was an able officer of unquestioned loyalty, faithful and efficient in his command, and tactful and considerate in his dealing with the local authorities. He was also considerate and kindly in his relations with all, and a just and popular commander.
Connections
Anderson was married to Eliza Bayard Clinch. They had four children.