Robert Anderson was the Union commander at Fort Sumter during the battle.

Robert Anderson served as the Union commander at Fort Sumter during the battle that signaled the start of the American Civil War on April 12, 1861. Having previously commanded the fort, he was present when Confederate forces began their assault. Anderson's choice to withstand the bombardment, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, demonstrated his dedication to the Union cause. His surrender after 34 hours of combat marked a pivotal moment in American history, resulting in a wave of enlistments in the Union army and intensifying the conflict between the North and South.