The building of Fort Sumter began in 1829 as one of many Federal forts down the coast. After the War of 1812, the Federal government saw its need of forts to protect the coast. This fort's walls were five feet thick and over fifty feet high. The left and right flanks were enlisted men's barracks while the officers" quarters were along the gorge. The left and right face were the main gun walls. The fort was only about ninety percent finished when the fighting started, and sadly, was never completed.
Lincoln's main dilemma, in March of 1861, was that the fort was quickly running out of food and supplies. Unless supplies could be gotten to it soon, its commander, Major Robert Anderson, would have to evacuate. Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, waited to see if this would spare him the necessity of choosing one unpleasant alternative or the other. Since Lincoln learned, on March 5, that Anderson's troops at Sumter had supplies that would last no longer than mid-April, time became an increasingly weighty consideration for the President. It would take time to organize and dispatch a relief expedition, whether small or massive. It would also take time to reach Sumter from northern ports.
Meanwhile, Confederate forces at both Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney were strengthening their batteries and tightening the noose around these Union positions. Every day made reinforcement more difficult, particularly at Fort Sumter. By March 29, Lincoln was ready to decide on a course of action. By April 4 he believed that a relief expedition was possible and ordered merchant steamers, protected by ships of war, to carry subsistence and other supplies to Anderson. He also notified Governor Francis W. Pickens of South Carolina that an attempt would be made to re-supply the fort. After debate and disagreement, the Confederate cabinet telegraphed Beauregard on April 10 to fire on Fort Sumter if absolutely necessary to prevent reinforcement.
