Supplies for the 200 extra soldiers to be placed in Fort Sumter. As I recall, Fort Sumter had enough supplies for its own men for about three months at that stage.
Heck, if Anderson wanted provisions, all he had to do was ask. At least early on [Source: New York Herald, January 22, 1861].
NEWS FROM CHARLESTON
Charleston, Jan. 21, 1861
Governor Pickens on Sunday sent a lot of fresh produce to Major Anderson, with his compliments. Major Anderson refused to accept them, but returned his thanks for the courtesy, saying at the same time, that he would have to decline receiving anything until he knew what the government at Washington intended to order.
And what of the Rhoda Shannon? What was it’s crime? It might be bringing ice cream to the garrison?
No, as I remember it was an ice schooner bound for Savannah that blundered into the confrontation in Charleston Harbor by mistake.
Typo. ‘produce’ should have been ‘provisions’
You would not be entirely correct. Anderson was complaining about his supply situation from day 1, though his situation in January was nowhere near as bad as his situation in April.
No, as I remember it was an ice schooner bound for Savannah that blundered into the confrontation in Charleston Harbor by mistake.
Confrontation? It wandered into the harbor, was fired on, raised the Stars and Stripes, and was fired on some more. Hardly being confrontational.