Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States during the battle.

Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States at the time of the Battle of Fort Sumter, which occurred on April 12, 1861. Elected as the Confederate president in February 1861, Davis confronted the daunting task of guiding the Southern states through the initial phases of the American Civil War. His administration aimed to unify the Confederacy's political and military strategies against the Union. The attack on Fort Sumter, under his leadership, represented a crucial moment, embodying the South's dedication to secession and sparking a conflict that would endure for four years and significantly shape the nation.