This puts to rest the myth that there was a Charleston mob about to attack Fort Moultrie. The knowledge that the fort would be given up under a show of force would be tempting to a mob mentality. If the Fort was attacked and surrendered as ordered, Anderson would be not blamed, Buchanan would. I read an interview with the governor of Pennsylvania, Buchanan's home state, that if Anderson did surrender Fort Moultrie, the President's private home would be "ashes".

The threat of future punishment for not standing up to the secessionist of South Carolina may have been the biggest reason why Anderson moved to Fort Sumter. As Pam said, it may have a lot to do with the coming of "the 'new' prez". Military Court Martials for those who surrendered their forts or stations were the norm in the days around Lincoln's 1st inaugural.

The story that Anderson's orders were to surrender the fort if attacked was sent on the wires to the whole country, and importantly to this story, his command. It would be very difficult under these circumstance to order his men to defend anything with their lives if they were just going to surrender it anyway; unless the men could be convenced that they were the target and not just fort, then they would be fighting for their lives. Anderson's move does not make sense due to his reputation to obey orders exactly. But, under the stress of the day, throw in infamous abolitionist mole Captain Doubleday and his ability to manipulate people, plus Anderson's mental state, it is not unthinkable that Anderson lost his nerve and made a very poor decision.

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David Upton