Major Anderson replied, that his word of honor, and the duty he owed to his government, forbade his compliance with the demand.
These gentlemen then left the fort, displaying a red flag.
At half-past 1 A. M., on Friday, a boat containing Colonel Chesnut, Captain Lee and Colonel Roger A. Pryor, approached the work with a communication from General Beauregard, making inquiry as to what day Major Anderson would evacuate the work, and asking if he would agree not to open his batteries unless Fort Sumter was fired upon. Suspecting from the urgency of this midnight negotiation, some strong necessity on the part of his opponent, but convinced that an evacuation would be inevitable, Major Anderson made a written reply, stating that he would evacuate the fort at noon, on the 15th, provided he did not receive supplies or controlling instructions from his government to the contrary. That he would not open his batteries unless the flag of his country was fired upon, or unless some hostile intention on the part of the Confederate forces should be manifested.
Being in hourly expectation of the arrival of a United States fleet with reinforcements off the harbor, and urged to instant action by dispatches from Montgomery, General Beauregard had prepared his messengers for this answer. Anderson’s communication was handed to Colonel Chesnut shortly after 3 o’clock, who, after a short consultation with the officers who had accompanied him, handed a communication to Major Anderson, and said,
“General Beauregard will open his batteries in one hour from this time, sir.”
Major Anderson looked at his watch, and said,
“It is half-past three. I understand you, sir, then, that your batteries will open in an hour from this time?”
Colonel Chesnut replied, “Yes, sir, in one hour.”
They then retired.