How the Civil War Began, an April 1861 Timeline – March 30

Oct 10, 2024

3 min read

In the spring of 1861, tensions in Charleston reached an all-time high. For decades, South Carolina harbored grievances against the U.S. government concerning the expansion of slavery into new territories and tariffs that benefitted the industrial North at the expense of the agrarian South. The state had threatened to secede multiple times, but now it was prepared to act.

Before the Presidential election of 1860, South Carolina’s Congressional delegation warned President James Buchanan that if Lincoln, who opposed the spread of slavery into new states (although he pledged not to interfere with existing slave states), were elected, the state would secede.

Buchanan’s annual address to Congress in December was ambiguous, stating, “I believe secession was illegal,” but also asserting that he did not believe the Federal government had the right to prevent states from seceding. This indecision only further angered both sides, resulting in the resignation of two Cabinet members for opposing reasons. Georgian Howard Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury, resigned due to Buchanan’s claim that secession was illegal, while Secretary of State Lewis Cass of Michigan stepped down because Buchanan did not take a stronger stance against secession. Clearly, dissatisfaction reigned.

As predicted, South Carolina declared its independence from the United States on December 20, 1860. Six days later, U.S. Major Robert Anderson evacuated Fort Moultrie under the cover of darkness, relocating approximately 70 men (accounts vary) to the unfinished but more defensible Fort Sumter. Two days after this evacuation, a delegation of state representatives met with Buchanan. They believed the conversation had shifted from preserving the Union to discussing the transfer of federal properties within the state, particularly Fort Sumter, which had been seized by the state militia the day before.

Anderson arrived at Fort Sumter equipped with enough food, medicine, and military supplies for several months. Believing Anderson was in dire need, on January 6, Buchanan dispatched the merchant ship *Star of the West* along with two military escort ships to resupply him. However, upon learning of the ship's departure, South Carolina Governor Francis W. Pickens warned that he would not allow the *Star* to enter Charleston Harbor.

Shortly after the *Star* set sail, Secretary of War Joseph Holt received a message from Anderson indicating that the Confederates were strengthening their batteries around Fort Sumter and that he was not in immediate need of more supplies. Realizing the danger, Holt attempted to recall the *Star*, but it was too late. Four Citadel cadets stationed on Morris Island opened fire on the unarmed vessel as it crossed the harbor’s bar, forcing it to turn back.

In early February, Virginia’s congressional leadership sought to reduce animosity through a Peace Convention, proposing new Constitutional amendments to appease the South. After two weeks of discussions, the effort faltered. Kentucky Senator John Crittenden then proposed changes to the Constitution that would not only allow slavery in states where it already existed but also ensure its permanence. Although Lincoln was not yet in office, he expressed that he would not support such a plan, leading to its demise.

By Lincoln’s inauguration on March 4, six states had joined South Carolina to form the Confederate States of America, with four more following suit shortly after. Each state began seizing federal properties within their borders. Governor Pickens attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender of Charleston’s fortifications, including Forts Moultrie and Sumter. When Anderson refused, Pickens continued reinforcing the batteries around Charleston Harbor, from Fort Johnson on James Island to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, as well as in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. Their immediate goal was to prevent ships from resupplying Anderson, effectively surrounding Fort Sumter.

According to Robert Rosen, author of "A Short History of Charleston," Lincoln held a secret meeting with Assistant Secretary to the Navy Captain Gustavus V. Fox on March 29 to plan a naval expedition. The preparations were so secretive that even the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy were not informed. The date for the expedition was set for April 6, though no specific destination was disclosed.

Stay tuned over the next two weeks as we explore the compelling history of how the Civil War began, with a day-by-day retelling of the events leading up to the deadliest conflict ever fought by Americans.