<P> The fort 's central flagpole was knocked down at 1 p.m. on April 13 , raising doubts among the Confederates about whether the fort was ready to surrender . Col. Louis Wigfall , a former U.S. senator , had been observing the battle and decided that this indicated the fort had had enough punishment . He commandeered a small boat and proceeded from Morris Island , waving a white handkerchief from his sword , dodging incoming rounds from Sullivan 's Island . Meeting with Major Anderson , he said , `` You have defended your flag nobly , Sir . You have done all that it is possible to do , and General Beauregard wants to stop this fight . On what terms , Major Anderson , will you evacuate this fort ? '' Anderson was encouraged that Wigfall had said `` evacuate , '' not `` surrender . '' He was low on ammunition , fires were burning out of control , and his men were hungry and exhausted . Satisfied that they had defended their post with honor , enduring over 3,000 Confederate rounds without losing a man , Anderson agreed to a truce at 2 : 00 p.m. </P>
<P> The fort 's central flagpole was knocked down at 1 p.m. on April 13 , raising doubts among the Confederates about whether the fort was ready to surrender . Col. Louis Wigfall , a former U.S. senator , had been observing the battle and decided that this indicated the fort had had enough punishment . He commandeered a small boat and proceeded from Morris Island , waving a white handkerchief from his sword , dodging incoming rounds from Sullivan 's Island . Meeting with Major Anderson , he said , `` You have defended your flag nobly , Sir . You have done all that it is possible to do , and General Beauregard wants to stop this fight . On what terms , Major Anderson , will you evacuate this fort ? '' Anderson was encouraged that Wigfall had said `` evacuate , '' not `` surrender . '' He was low on ammunition , fires were burning out of control , and his men were hungry and exhausted . Satisfied that they had defended their post with honor , enduring over 3,000 Confederate rounds without losing a man , Anderson agreed to a truce at 2 : 00 p.m. </P>
who surrendered at the battle of fort sumter
who surrendered at the battle of fort sumter
Major Anderson
Major Anderson