This letter reached the President on the 27th. On the day before Major
Anderson had transferred his entire garrison from Fort Moultrie to Fort
Sumter. It was a bold move, done without orders, and solely because
there was no longer hope that the President would send reinforcements.
It was a judicious move, because Sumter was the real key to Charleston
harbor. It was an act of patriotism which will forever enshrine the name
of Anderson in American history.
The tidings reached Washington. Disappointed and chagrined, Secretary
Floyd sent the following telegram:--
WAR DEPARTMENT.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, December 27, 1880.
MAJOR ANDERSON, _Fort Moultrie:_--
Intelligence has reached here this morning that you have abandoned Fort
Moultrie, spiked your guns, burned the carriages, and gone to Fort
Sumter. It is not believed, because there is no order for any such
movement. Explain the meaning of this report.
J.B. FLOYD,
_Secretary of War_.
The answer was as follows:--
CHARLESTON, December 27, 1860.
HON. J.B. FLOYD, _Secretary of War:_--
The telegram is correct. I abandoned Fort Moultrie because I was certain
that, if attacked, my men must have been sacrificed, and the command of
the harbor lost.
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