Sunday April 7, 1861

Lincoln's Plan Is Set in Motion

This same morning, Lieutenant John L. Worden started on his overland route to Pensacola, carrying Lincoln's new orders to Captain Henry A. Adams to reinforce Fort Pickens.

Meanwhile, at Fort Sumter, Major Anderson received Lincoln's letter of April 4, informing him of the relief expedition and urging him to hold out. [For Anderson's reaction, click on "Commentary."]

Bibliography: OR, p. 372; ORN, p. 111; Meigs, "General M. C. Meigs," p. 302; Nicolay and Hay, Lincoln, 4: 8-9.

Anderson's Supplies Stopped

In compliance with orders from the Confederate government, General Beauregard informed Anderson that "in consequence of the delays and apparent vacillations of the United States . . . relative to the evacuation of Fort Sumter," he was cutting off supplies from Charleston to the fort.