Excerpt from Correspondence and Other Papers, Relating to Fort Sumter
Sir Two of your batteries fired this morning upon an unarmed vessel bearing the żag of my Government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by South Carolina against the Government of the United States, I cannot but think that this hostile act was committed Without your sanc tion or authority. Under that hepe, and that alone, did I refrain from opening fire upon your batteries.
I have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask Whether the above-mentioned act - one I believe Without a parallel in the history of our country, or of any other civilized Government Was committed in obedience to your instructions, and to notify you if it be not disclaimed, that I must regard it as an act of war, and that I shall not, after a reasonable time for the return of my messenger, permit any vessels to pass within range of the guns of my Fort.
In order to save as far as in my power the shedding of blood, I beg that you will have due notification of this my decision, given to all concerned.
Hoping, however, that your answer may be such as will jus tify a further continuance of forbearance on my part, I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (signed) robert anderson, Major lst Artillery U. S. A., Commanding. Fort sumter, S. January 9, 1861.
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