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Re: What if you were Major Anderson?

The Collective Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol 4,

To Elihu B. Washburne

Confidential

Hon. E. B. Washburne Springfield, Ills.

My dear Sir: Dec. 21. 1860

Last night I received your letter giving an account of your interview with Gen. Scott, and for which I thank you. Please present my respects to the General, and tell him, confidentially, I shall be obliged to him to be as well prepared as he can to either hold, or retake, the forts, as the case may require, at, and after the inaugeration. Yours as ever A. LINCOLN

Annotation
[1] ALS, IHi. Washburne wrote on December 17 summarizing an interview with General Winfield Scott to the effect that Scott had recommended reinforcement of the Charleston forts in October, that Fort Moultrie was practically defenseless, and that Fort Sumter with only five workmen in it was the key to the harbor.

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It would seem that there was a discussion between Washburne and Scott, held on the 17th of December as to the value of the Fortification in Charleston Harbor. It seems that Fort Sumter was determined to be the "key to the harbor".

Now clearly the value of Fort Sumter was known well before the 17th of December 1861. Otherwise why did they even start building it 20 years before?

No, this was a discussion of best use of the available forces (Anderson's garrison) at hand. Since Anderson could not be reenforced at Moultrie it seemed to have been determined that Anderson's garrison would best be used in Fort Sumter rather than Moultrie. 9 days later later on Dec. 26th, Anderson has recieved his orders and chose his time to moved.

One would wonder if the "Star of the West" incident wasn't really trying to occupy Fort Sumter in the first place.

No, with all the talk between such parties as Lincoln, Washburne, Scott, as far back as mid October 1860, before Lincoln was elected, there is plenty of evidence, in my mind, that there was at least a framework of a plan in place between these people as to how to handle the various facets of events should South Carolina attempt to make good its threats to secede if Lincoln were elected. The discussions of holding or retaking the forts points to a plan being in place for such events. Anderson is closely connected to at least two those three planners. And we have only the "Official" communications of these events to examine. I wonder how much "unofficial communications" there were since exposure of those may have been counterproductive to Lincolns designs.

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What if you were Major Anderson?
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John Floyd I mean *NM*
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So your agreeing with me?
nope
Where's the beef?
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Northern Economy part 2...
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Lincoln / Anderson connection?
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The forty guns issue
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