Fort Sumter (April 12-13, 1861) Abraham Lincoln said he would hold all Federal property, and he referred chiefly to Fort Sumter. Major Robert Anderson was in command, with 68 soldiers. Jefferson Davis gave the word to open fire and bring about its submission; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard obeyed immediately. After a 34-hour bombardment, Major Anderson hauled down the American flag. The Civil War had begun.
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