Whiting, William H., 1824-1865 to David R. Jones
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02601 Author/Creator: Whiting, William H., 1824-1865 Place Written: Morris Island, South Carolina Type: Manuscript document Date: 13 April 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 26 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy
Retained draft in secretarial hand for Whitings own files of a letter detailing the surrender of Fort Sumter. Describing attack on fort, says soon "Anderson's position will be untenable." Worries about a naval attack by Union forces, "more than probable that an attack will be made at night. States that at one p.m. "flagg staf shot away." At two p.m. reports the fort has "surrendered unconditionally to Brig. Gen. Beauregard," and again expresses worry about nearby Union ships. Though the Confederates at first believed that the surrender was unconditional, this was not the understanding of Robert Anderson in command of the fort. The confusion was resolved, and Anderson was allowed certain conditions on his surrender, including a last salute to the United States flag.
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