Telegram Announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter

April 13, 1861

The following is the transcript of the telegraph sent by Major Robert Anderson announcing the surrender of Fort Sumter.

SS. BALTIC. OFF SANDY HOOK APR. EIGHTEENTH. TEN THIRTY A.M. . VIA

NEW YORK. . HON.S.CAMERSON. SECY.WAR. WASHN. HAVING DEFENDED

FORT SUMTER FOR THIRTY HOURS UNTIL THE QUARTERS WERE

ENTIRELY BURNED THE MAIN GATES DESTRAOYED BY FIRE. THE GORGE WALLS

SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE MAGAZINE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES AND ITS

DOOR CLOSED FROM THE EFFECTS OF HEAT. FOUR BARRELLS AND THREE

CARTRIDGES OF POWDER ONLY BEING AVAILABLE AND NO PROVISIONS

REMAINING BUT PORT. I ACCEPT TERMS OF EVACUATION OFFERED BY

GENERAL BEAUREGARD BEING ON SAME OFFERED BY HIM ON THE ELEVENTH

INST. PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES AND MARCHED

OUT OF THE FORT SUNDAY AFTERNOON THE FOURTEENTH INST. WITH

COLORS FLYING AND DRUNMS BEATING. BRINGING AWAY COMPANY AND

PRIVATE PROPERTY AND SALUTING MY FLAG WITH FIFTY GUNS. ROBERT

ANDERSON. MAJOR FIRST ARTILLERY. COMMANDING.