Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper
December 29, 1860

Who Major Anderson is ¡ª his Barber.
The New York Leader has a biographical sketch of the present commander at Fort Sumter ¡ú . We copy a passage:

"Major Anderson is now about fifty-six years old, and was born in Kentucky, entering the Military Academy from that State, and graduating with distinction, on June 30, 1825. The record of his military service shows that he was promoted to a first lieutenancy in 1833, and made captain by brevet in 1838 for gallantry and successful strategy in the war against the Florida Indians. In the same year he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General, with the rank of captain ¡ª the captaincy itself not coming until the October of 1841, and his present rank of Major only reaching him last year.

"Major Anderson has also performed a large amount of the staff duty incident to the service a few years since, and before it was made distinct from duty in the line. He acted as Assistant Inspector of the Illinois Volunteers, serving with Abraham Lincoln in the Black Hawk War of 1822. He was Assistant Instructor and Instructor of Artillery at the Military Academy in the years 1835-'6 and '7, and was aide-de-camp to Major-General Scott in 1838.

"During the Mexican War, the Major endured all the labors and dangers of the campaign, being severely wounded in the assault on the enemy's works at Marina del Rey, and receiving brevet majority 'for gallant and meritorious conduct in that action.' Major Anderson has also received from the Government many evidences of its trust and confidence other than those bestowed by the War Department.

"His last service, previous to his taking command of Fort Moultrie, was as a member of the commission, ordered last summer by Congress, to inquire into the manner of instruction at the West Point Military Academy. The labors of that commission, in which Major Anderson performed his part, have already been laid before Congress.

"In physique, the Major is about five feetnine inches in height; his figure is well set and soldierly; his hair is thin and turning to iron grey: his complexion swarthy; his eye dark and intelligent; his nose prominent and well formed. A stranger would read, in his air and appearance, determination and an exaction of what was due to him. He has a good deal of manner. In intercourse he is very courteous, and his rich voice and abundant gesticulations go well together. He is always agreeable and gentlemanly, firm and dignified, a man of undaunted courage, and as a true soldier may be relied on to obey orders and to do his duty."