He knew that their continued occupation was virtually a
declaration of war.
The General-in-Chief of the United States Army, also, it is well known,
urgently advised the evacuation of the forts. But the most striking
protest against the coercive measures finally adopted was that of Major
Anderson himself. The letter in which his views were expressed has been
carefully suppressed in the partisan narratives of that period and
wellnigh lost sight of, although it does the highest honor to his
patriotism and integrity. It was written on the same day on which the
announcement was made to Governor Pickens of the purpose of the United
States Government to send supplies to the fort, and is worthy of
reproduction here:[165]
[_Letter of Major Anderson, United States Army, protesting
against Fox's Plan for relieving Fort Sumter_.]
"Fort Sumter, S. C., _April 8, 1861_.
"_To Colonel L. Thomas, Adjutant-General United States Army_.
"Colonel: I have the honor to report that the resumption of work
yesterday (Sunday) at various points on Morris Island, and the
vigorous prosecution of it this morning, apparently
strengthening all the batteries which are under the fire of our
guns, shows that they either have just received some news from
Washington which has put them on the _qui vive_, or that they
have received orders from Montgomery to commence operations
here.
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