The Union attempted to supply Fort Sumter before the battle by sending supplies via ship to reinforce the garrison.

Before the Battle of Fort Sumter, the Union sought to reinforce the garrison by supplying it by ship. President Abraham Lincoln recognized the precarious situation of the Union forces stationed at the fort and ordered a supply mission to deliver essential provisions, including food and ammunition. This effort aimed to bolster the defenses and sustain Major Robert Anderson and his approximately 100 soldiers. However, the supply ships faced challenges from Confederate forces, who were determined to prevent reinforcements from reaching the fort. This logistical maneuver became a crucial part of the escalating tensions that ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War.