The New York herald., 1879-08-23
THE EVACUATION OF FORT MOUL.
TRIE.

vINDICATION OF THE MILITARY FAME OF
GENERAL ANDERSON.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In the August number of the North American
Repieo there is anonymous article entitled the
"Diary of Public Man." in which tho writer gives
the substance Of conversation held at Washington
On the 2sth of December 1860. with Mr.. l. L. Orr Of
South Carolina, touching the removal by Major An
dcrson of the garrison of Fort Moultrie to Fort
Sumter on the 10th OF DaDember 1850. The Ian
guage used Is rs foll0ws:-
his head the excitement Of three
had cot into hot water on shore with some Of
the brawling and silly young bloods OF Charleston.
Mr. Orr was one of the three Commissioners sent
by the Convention Of South Carolina bear tho copy
OF the ordinance OF secession the government at
Washington in December. 1860. and Us the respect
ability Of its origin might lead people to accept this
story historical fact. feel it to be duty
Of the surviving officers of that garrison make the
following statement:-
Tho movement from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter
ON the evening Of the 26th OF December. 1860. was
conceived and executed by Major Anderson alone.
without consultation with any one The officers.
whose cooperation was necessary to the OF
the movement, intormed OF his purpose only
upon the day which 1t made. 1t was made from
tons from the Secretary of War Mr. Floyd, conveyed
to Major Anderson by Major Don Carlos Buell., then
officer Of the Adjutant Generals Department. on
the 11th of December 1860. In accordance with them
Major Anderson was commanded to hol8 the torts to
the last extremity attacked. and that any attack
upon or attempt TO take possession OF either would
be considered hostile act, and that he might move
his command into either fort he deemed proper and
this authority extended to cover any tangible
evidence that q hostile act contemplated.
Major Anderson believed that he had such evidence
and he moved his command.
The responsibility for the movement was distinctly
avowed by Major Anderson in his reply to Colonel
Pettigrew OF the First South Carolina Rifles, who
came Fort Sumter on the morning of the 27th Of
December envoy of the Governor of the State
to demand that Major Anderson should return with
his command to Fort Moultrie. He stated opcnly to
Colonel Pettigrew that the movement was made upon
his responsibility solely and because he con-
sdercd that the safety Of his command required it.
The same responsibility was assumed by him in his
reply to the kilograms from the Secretary Of War
asking explanation OF the report OF his move
ment. ~ abandoned Fort Moutrie," said he, "be-
il attacked my command would have been sac
rifced," &c.
Therew excitement of his younger officers.
there then at time be ore the movement
any interruption of the courtesy which had charac-
tcrzed the intercourse OF the garrison with the cit
of Charleston. The true explanation Of An
dersons movement" rests upon the highest mill
tary grounds The version of it given in the re-
ported conversation with the Public Man is with
ont foundation in tact. s. W. CRAWFORD.
Brevet Major General, United States Army formerly
officer of Major Anderson's . command.
NEW YORK. August III. 1879.