During the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, the Confederacy employed siege warfare as their military strategy. This involved surrounding the fort and bombarding it with artillery to weaken the Union garrison, which was led by Major Robert Anderson. Rather than launching a direct assault, Confederate forces aimed to compel a surrender through sustained pressure. This strategy proved effective, as the Union soldiers endured intense bombardment for 34 hours before capitulating. The use of siege tactics at Fort Sumter marked a significant moment in the Civil War, highlighting the growing conflict between the Union and the Confederacy.