In December 1860, when the State of South Carolina desired to secede
from the Federal Union, Major Anderson, of the 1st Regiment of U.S.
Artillery, was in command of the forts of Charleston harbor; and, with
his company, was stationed at Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island. He
saw the spreading commotion; and--as a Sea-Captain, in stormy weather,
glass in hand, sweeping the horizon with his eye, uninterested in
natural wonders or scientific questions, is wholly engrossed with the
care and management of his ship--he thought not of political affairs,
but studied only his duty as a servant of the Republic--an officer of
the American Army. Situated as he then was, he found himself utterly
weak in case of an attack--his fort was insecure, his garrison was
small--he, therefore, petitioned Government for more troops; but
received for reply that, as the movement would increase disaffection,
the Administration preferred not granting his request unless
necessitated. He now looked round him, with a view to strengthening his
position, as best he could. On a point of James Island, facing Fort
Moultrie, west by south, stood Fort Johnson, and between these, nearly
mid channel, an artificial Island had been raised, on which a
fortification was built, now in course of completion; and here, with the
waters to wall him in, and the shores all round the bay under range of
his guns, Major Anderson decided to concentrate his little force.
