Changes

Although he had held his fire, Major Anderson commenced to building up his defences. Thirty-eight guns were mounted in the first tier of casemates and up along the parapet, including heavier "42 pounders" and Columbiads. Five Columbiads were mounted in the parade as mortars and three howitzers about the sally port in the gorge. By April 12, a total of 60 guns was ready. Bombproof shelters and splinter-proof traverses were constructed on the parade ground and along the parapet. Overhanging galleries were built out from the parapet at strategic points for dropping shells on an assaulting force. Special protection was given the gateway. Left unarmed, however, was the second tier of casemates; the 8-foot-square openings in the outer wall were bricked up. The small size of Major Anderson's garrison did not permit manning it.

Although he had held his fire, Major Anderson commenced to building up his defences. Thirty-eight guns were mounted in the first tier of casemates and up along the parapet, including heavier "42 pounders" and Columbiads. Five Columbiads were mounted in the parade as mortars and three howitzers about the sally port in the gorge. By April 12, a total of 60 guns was ready. Bombproof shelters and splinter-proof traverses were constructed on the parade ground and along the parapet. Overhanging galleries were built out from the parapet at strategic points for dropping shells on an assaulting force. Special protection was given the gateway. Left unarmed, however, was the second tier of casemates; the 8-foot-square openings in the outer wall were bricked up. The small size of Major Anderson's garrison did not permit manning it.

Charleston, too, prepared. In addition to routine preparations at Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie, additional batteries were prepared on Sullivan's Island, at Cummings Point on Morris Island - which also included an "ironclad" battery - and outside Fort Johnson. Incredibly, Governor Pickens - hostile as ever to the presence of the U.S. flag on Souther soil - permitted Anderson to buy fresh meat and vegetables in town to supplement his garrison supply.

Charleston, too, prepared. In addition to routine preparations at Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie, additional batteries were prepared on Sullivan's Island, at Cummings Point on Morris Island - which also included an "ironclad" battery - and outside Fort Johnson. Incredibly, Governor Pickens - hostile as ever to the presence of the U.S. flag on Southern soil - permitted Anderson to buy fresh meat and vegetables in town to supplement his garrison supply.

On February 4, 1861 delegates from the first six seceded states (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) formed the Confederate government at Montgomery, Alabama; days later a new constitution was drafted and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president.  Texas joined the Confederacy on March 2 as Federal forts, naval yards, and arsenals were seized within the Southern states.  Four of these forts were not seized: three in Florida, and Sumter, which by then had become a major symbol within a city known as the "hotbed of secession".

On February 4, 1861 delegates from the first six seceded states (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) formed the Confederate government at Montgomery, Alabama; days later a new constitution was drafted and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president.  Texas joined the Confederacy on March 2 as Federal forts, naval yards, and arsenals were seized within the Southern states.  Four of these forts were not seized: three in Florida, and Sumter, which by then had become a major symbol within a city known as the "hotbed of secession".