Lee, Stephen Dill, C.S.A. General

Autograph transcription signed ("Stephen D. Lee") of his and James Chesnut's 12 April 1861 notice to Major Robert Anderson of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 1 page (10 1/2 x 8 in.; 267 x 204 mm), the transcription written about 1905; docketed on verson in pencil: "Copy of notice of bombardment of Fort Sumter written by Gen. S. D. Lee in 1905," faint mat burn, mounting remnants.

Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang (sale, Sotheby's New York, 20 June 1979, lot 638)

Autograph transcript signed ("Stephen D. Lee"), 1 page (10 1/2 x 8 in.; 267 x 204 mm), n.p., n.d. [1905]; docketed on verson in pencil: "Copy of notice of bombardment of Fort Sumter written by Gen. S. D. Lee in 1905," mat burn, remnants of former mounting.
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The start of the Civil War:  "By authority of Brigadier 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 ..."  Lee has signed his own name to the transcription and also added the name of James Chesnut, another aide-de-camp to General Beauregard (Chesnut died in 1885). No other transcript of this vital communication is recorded in the auction records.

With South Carolina's secession in December 1860, the Confederates laid claim to Charleston's Fort Sumter, even though it was occupied by Federal officer Major Robert Anderson and his command of approximately 100 men. The Confederates embargoed the fort, and when Charleston's new commanding officer General P.G.T. Beauregard received President Lincoln's notice that a naval expedition would be sent to provision the beleaguered garrison, Beauregard called for  Anderson's surrender; Anderson refused. The bombardment began in the early morning of 12 April 1861 and lasted for more than 34 hours.  On 14 April, Anderson surrendered and the garrison departed with the honors of war.  Fort Sumter would remain under Confederate control until 14 April 1865.