hostilities, and marched out of the fort Sunday afternoon, the 14th
inst., with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and
private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns.

ROBERT ANDERSON,
_Major First Artillery, Commanding_.


HON. S. CAMERON, _Secretary of War, Washington_.



WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 20, 1861.

MAJOR ROBERT ANDERSON, _Late Commander at Fort Sumter_:--

MY DEAR SIR,--I am directed by the President of the United States to
communicate to you, and through you to the officers and men of your
command at Forts Moultrie and Sumter, the approbation of the government
of your and their judicious and gallant conduct there, and to tender you
and them the thanks of the government for the same.

SIMON CAMERON,
_Secretary of War_.


The conspiracy had now ceased to be such. Revolution and war had begun,
and by the firing upon Fort Sumter the political atmosphere was cleared
up as if by magic. If there were now any _doubters_ on either side
they had betaken themselves out of sight; for them, and for all the