On Twitter 
On Facebook 
April 18 – The Surrender of Fort Sumter
by Darren Cole on April 18, 2011
Telegram from Maj. Robert Anderson to Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary, announcing his withdrawal from Fort Sumter, April 18, 1861 (ARC ID 594525); Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917; Record Group 94; National Archives.
The first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter on April 12 and 13, 1861. After 34 hours of fighting, the Union surrendered the fort to the Confederates. Major Robert Anderson informed Secretary of War Simon Cameron of the surrender in this telegram, dated April 18.
COMMENTS none
