The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-12-21
Gen. Robert Anderson.


The hero of Fort Sumpter died at
Nice, France, OH the: Goth Of October.
He has been in Europe nearly two years
endeavoring to recruit his health, but In
vain.
We find a condensed biography of
Gen. Anderson in the Cincinnati Ghron-
icie from which we take the following
extract:
Robert Anderson was a native of
Kentucky, his birthplace being near
Louisville. He was only twenty years
old when he graduated at West Point
and entered into active service as a
lieutenant in the army. In the Florida
war he gained ;romotiOn to captaincy,
and subsequently, distinguished himself
in Mexico, whittier he went with Gen.
Scott in ls4s, taking part in the capture
of Vera Cruz, and serving with great
credit throughout the rest of the cam
paign, which terminated in the occupa-
ton of the Mexican capital. In the se-
we're and destructive battle of Moiino
del Rey, he received, early in the en-
gagement, q bullet wound in the shoul-
der, in spite of which he most gallantly
led the detachment which first entered
that stronghold, and maintained his po-
sition until victory was assured. 1t was
found impossible to extract the bullet,
and the wound was source of much
pain during the remainder of his life, no
doubt laying the foundation Of the dis.
ease which has disabled him in years
past for active service.
In 1853 he took charge of the military
asylum of Harrodsburg, KY, which
was founded under his auspices. After
serving on commission to investigate
the condition of West Point, In 1860, he
was assigned, in November Of that year,
to the command of the defences Of
Charleston Harbor. His headquarters
were in Fort Moultrie, a work of little
strength from the shore side, having
been constructed to resist attack from
the sea and not from the land, from
which it was easily commanded.
On the Goth of December, 1850, the
South Carolina ordinance of Secession
was passed, and the purpose of taking
possession Of the United States property
in the harbor of Charleston was imme.
diately manifested. With little force
of less than seventy men, in the works
of Fort Moultrie, Major Anderson could
not hold out against the batteries
erected on shore, and an easy victory was
expected in this first overt act of trea-
son. Fort Sumpter was a work of very
| different character, and capable of sus-
tanning prolonged siege. Anderson s
quiet removal to that stronghold on the
night Of December 26th, without await
ing orders from Washington, surprised
the rebels and electrified the whole
country Here he maintained himself
without reinforcements and with only
feeble and unsuccessful attempt on the
part Of Buchanan's administration to
send him supplies, until on the 14th of
April, after sustaining prolonged can
onading, he was compelled to surrender,
as detailed in the following official noti-
fication to the Secretary of War:
STEAMSHIP BALTIC, OFF SANDY
Hook, APRIL Is, 1861, 1890 A. NJ, via
New York.-Having defended Fort
Sumpter for thirty four hours, until the
quarters were entirely burnt, the main
gates destroyed by fire, the gorge wall.
seriously injured, the magazine sur
rounded by flames, and its door closed
from the effects of heat; four barrels
and three cartridges of powder only being
available. and no provisions remaining
but pork, l accepted terms of evacuation
offered by Gen. Bcauregard-being thu
same offered by him on the 14th inst.
with colors flying and drums beating
bringing away my company and pri
vate property, and saluting my flag with