I got this off the 'net by searching on "Anderson", "Beauregard" and "Sumter". It took about ten seconds.
"In 1861, Charleston Harbor held several batteries such as Fort Johnson, Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie. Also in the harbor was Fort Sumter which as under the command of Maj. Anderson. On November 9, 1860 the United States Flag was taken down at all the batteries and the South Carolina state flag was raised. After seeing this, Maj. Anderson sent word to Washington asking for additional troops and started his men erecting defenses. His hopes of additional men were dashed as the Star Of The West, carrying two hundred men, was fired upon by both the battery on Morris Island and Fort Moultrie, striking it twice. The Star of the West turned and left Charleston Harbor. On April 11, Gen. Beauregard sent his aides, Col. James Chestnut and Capt. Stephen Lee to deliver an ultimatum to Maj. Anderson. In it Beauregard specified that he would facilitate the removal of weapons and supplies from the fort, send personal items to any location desired but Anderson was to evacuate Sumter immediately. Anderson replied that his honor prevented him from doing so. He also informed Beauregard that the matter may be taken out of his hands anyway if they (the Confederates) didn’t batter down the walls, the Union soldiers would starved out anyway in a few days."
I think you are a little confused. And you shouldn't call people liars unless you can back it up.
Walt
Your source is mistaken, and as best I can tell, seems to be using a long perpetuated myth started by the often factually sloppy muckracker Ida Tarbell a century ago. Specifically, the stuff about a few days of food left is historically false. It comes from reading Anderson out of context, as Anderson was specifically referring to what would happen if and when Beauregard laid complete seige and cut off the fort entirely. The quote itself states "I will await the first shot and, if you do not batter us to pieces, we will be starved out in a few days" obviously referring to the scenario that would occur if the battle began.
As for the garrison's food, they had an arrangement with the state of south carolina to continue recieving supplies through charleston even while the confederates were asking the garrison to surrender the fort. A few weeks prior to the battle, Anderson wrote Governor Pickens:
"I hasten to ask you to refer to my letter to his Excellency, and you will se that I did not solicit any modification of his original permission about recieving supplies of fresh meat and vegetables. I am satisfied with the existing agreement"
The agreement he referred to had been in place since shortly after the state seceeded in which Governor Pickens had agreed to supply the garrison with food items. Beauregard's treatment of Anderson, an old military friend, throughout the bombardment and afterwords was exemplary. He allowed the garrison to depart freely and even sent steamers to transport Anderson and his men to the union fleet. Beauregard wrote of the incident:
"When, on the 15th instant, he left the harbor on the steamer Isabel, the soldiers of the batteries on Cummings Point lined the beach, silent, and with heads uncovered, while Anderson and his men passed before them"
Yes, that's right. The southerners SALUTED Anderson out of respect as he departed.
Now, Walt, your 10 second research, which is characteristic of your efforts to get at the truth shown in most of your opinions, is interesting. Would you please give your soruces for this quote.
If that quote is accurate, it gives evidence that Anderson was improving his positions in November, 1860.
As you know, Governor Gist of SC negotiated a treaty with President Buchanan on December 6, 1860. The agreement was that the Federal government would not improve its defences if they were not attacked. So, to obtain compliance, Major Anderson would have to have had direct orders to stop his work that you describe.
However, after he moved his troops to Ft. Sumter on December 26, he was visited by officials of the state militia and government, and reminded that he had violated the treaty by improving his position in the move over to Ft. Sumter. It was reported by Abner Doubleday, and most history books , that Anderson said he knew nothing of the treaty with the US Government, and President Buchanan. That could not have been true if he had initiated improvements in November, ordered by his President stopped by the treaty in December.
That would also prove that Anderson's movements were illegal, and he knew it.
It would also prove that Buchanan's cabinet resignations in protest were correct, and that the Star of the West reinforcement was quite illegal.
It would also prove which of our valued historians are either liars, or just misinformed.
Cite your documentation.