Fort Sumter: Supplies dwindling

Maj. Anderson

• At Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, Major Robert Anderson reports his supplies inside the fort stand at 38 barrels of pork, 37 barrels of flour, 13 barrels of hard bread, 2 barrels of beans, 1 barrel of coffee, ½ barrel of sugar, 3 barrels of vinegar, 10 pounds of candles, 40 pounds of soap, and 3/4 barrel of salt. 

Anderson is pleased at the “ample supply of pork and bread” but apprehensive over the deficiencies they have begun to experience.

Everyone knows that without resupply and possible reinforcement, Anderson and his command cannot remain in Fort Sumter forever./1861

Major Robert Anderson's HQ at Fort Sumter