The archival report notes that an impending evacuation of Fort Sumter was widely discussed in Montgomery and Charleston, with the Charleston Mercury jubilantly declaring that the fort would be acquired without a fight. The intelligence originated from Texas Senator Louis Wigfall, who leaked via telegram to Confederate leaders that the fort was low on supplies and would likely be abandoned by Washington within five days. This information was further corroborated by Confederate commissioner John Forsyth after indirect contact with a cabinet official confirmed the evacuation plans.
From the New York Illustrated News, April 27, 1861. After the flag-staff of Anderson was shot away, Col. Wigfall, Aid to Gen. Beauregard, at his Commander's request, went to Sumter with a white flag, to offer assistance in extinguishing the flames. He approached the burning fortress from Morris Island, and while the firing was raging on all sides, effected a landing at Sumter. He approached a port-hole, and was met by Major Anderson. The commandant of Fort Sumter said he had just displayed a white flag, but the firing from the Carolina batteries was kept up nevertheless.
It is but fair to say that the flag was not at first discovered on account of the smoke from the fort and the cannon. As soon as it was observed, however, by the General of the Rebel Forces, all firing ceased, and another boat was sent off with officers to arrange with Major Anderson for the surrender of the fort.
This account, like many contemporary press reports on both sides, mistakenly describes Wigfall's mission as authorized by Beauregard—Beauregard's own official dispatch (Appendix IX) names Colonels Miles and Pryor and Captain Lee as the aides he actually sent to Fort Sumter, not Wigfall. It illustrates exactly the kind of uncritical wartime reporting discussed in Part V-A, rather than an accurate record of events.
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