The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

‘We Have the Honor to Notify You …’

Posted on | April 12, 2011 | 7 Comments

Click the image to enlarge. Apologies if the handwriting is a bit illegible after 150 years, but this note reads:

Fort Sumter, S.C.
April 12, 1861. 3:20 a.m.
Major Robert Anderson
U.S. Army
Comdg Fort Sumter
Sir
By authority of Brig General Beauregard commanding the provisional forces of the Confederate States we have the honor to notify you that he will open the fire of his Batteries on Fort Sumter in one hour from this time.
We have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Yr obt servts,
James Chesnut Jr., Aide de Camp
Stephen D. Lee, Capt., S.C. Army, Aide de Camp

Yes. It was 3:20 a.m., 150 years ago today, that this courteous note was delivered to Major Anderson, and the Confederate guns opened fire on Fort Sumter at 4:30.

Category: History

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