“The South-east Confederacy would, in all human probability, in less than five years after the rupture, find itself bounded by the first and second lines indicated above, the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico, with its capital at say Columbia, South Carolina.  The country between the second, third, and fourth of those lines would, beyond a doubt, in about the same time, constitute another Confederacy, with its capital at probably Alton or Quincy, Illinois.  The boundaries of the Pacific Union are the most definite of all, and the remaining States would constitute the Northeast Confederacy with its capital at Albany.”—­Scott, “Views,” printed in “Mr. Buchanan’s Administration,” pp. 287-288, Appendix.

[3] “But the ex-President sneers at my weak device for saving the forts.  He forgets what the gallant Anderson did with a handful of men in Fort Sumter, and leaves out of the account what he might have done with a like handful in Fort Moultrie, even without further augmentation of men to divide between the garrisons.  Twin forts on the opposite sides of a channel not only give a cross fire on the head of attack, but the strength of each is more than doubled by the flanking fire of the other.”—­Gen. Scott, in the “National Intelligencer” of November 12, 1862.

[4] (As reference to the Government publication, “War of the Rebellion:  Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies,” will be so frequent in the course of this work, and under its full title would require so much space, the authors have decided to adopt the simple abbreviation “W.R.,” as above.  Where the number of the series is not mentioned, Series I. will always be implied.)

[5] We are indebted to Mrs. Anderson, not only for the correction of this error, but for permission to examine many private papers relating to Major Anderson’s experience in Fort Sumter.  It affords us the highest pleasure to add that though all her relatives in Georgia became secessionists, she remained enthusiastically and devotedly loyal to the Union, and that her letters carried constant cheer and encouragement to her husband during the months he was besieged in Charleston harbor.

CHAPTER XXI

THE CHARLESTON FORTS

  [Sidenote] Foster to De Russey, November 24, 1860.  W.R.  Vol.  I.,
  p. 76.

Major Anderson reached Fort Moultrie and assumed command on the 21st of November, 1860.  Having from his several interviews with the President, Secretary of War, and Lieutenant-General Scott become fully impressed with the importance of his trust, he proceeded as a first duty to acquaint himself thoroughly with his situation and resources.  The great Charleston secession celebration on the 17th had been held while he was on his way; the glare of its illumination was extinguished, the smoke of its bonfires had been dissipated by the fresh Atlantic breezes, and its holiday insurgents