General Beauregard demands that Major Anderson surrender Fort Sumter immediately

In the late afternoon, three officers on General Beauregard's staff, including Colonel James Chesnut, Jr., a recent U. S. senator, arrived at Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, with a demand for the evacuation of the post.  Major Robert Anderson, in command, refused, but indicated that he would have to surrender in a few days regardless, due to lack of food.  He later offered, if not given other instructions, to evacuate on April 15, 1861.  (By John Osborne)