In Charleston, Major Anderson is ordered not to provoke but also to resist attack

Major Robert Anderson, a fifty-five year old Kentucky-born artilleryman and former slaveowner, was assigned as commander of federal forces around Charleston, South Carolina. Major Don Carlos Buell visited him from the War Department and gave him written orders to avoid conflict at costs and make no move that could construed as hostile. But he was also to "hold possession of the forts in this harbor, and if attacked you are to defend yourself to the last extremity." He could consolidate his forces if need be.  (By John Osborne)