Damage...

The lack of casualties on both sides is a bit unbelievable. Anderson could fire in any direction and hit a target at will, Beauregard's guns had to be very careful not to hit his own men with all his guns firing at each other with Fort Sumter in between. Anderson waited until daylight so he could see his targets but still did no real damage.

Anderson's nonaction when the Star of the West, flying the flag of the United States was fired upon repeatedly, is very strange for a man who didn't need orders to destroy government property and move into Fort Sumter. He at the time had the advantage in guns and could have easily silenced the South Carolians. He did not do his duty and failed his oath as an officer in not defending the flag. All this was very strange.

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David Upton