Robert Anderson
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Robert Anderson (1805-1871) - Born 14 Jun 1805 near Louisville, Kentucky. A career U.S. Army artillery officer and United States Military Academy graduate known for his defense of Fort Sumter in the opening battle of the U.S. Civil War. Served in the Florida Indian Wars, the Mexican War and the U.S. Civil War. Died 26 Oct 1871, in Nice, France.  He entered the United States Military Academy and graduated in the Class of 1825 ranking 15th out of 37. He was commissioned a Bvt. 2nd Lt. in the 2nd U.S. Artillery and served most of his career in the Artillery. He served in the Second Seminole Indian War, the Mexican War, where he was severely wounded, and the U.S. Civil War where he was in command at Fort Sumter when it was attacked by Confederate forces. His command withstood the bombardment for 63 hours before surrendering the fort in the opening battle of the U.S. Civil War. He retired from Active Service, 27 Oct 1863, for disability resulting from long and faithful service, and wounds and disease contracted in the Line of Duty. At the end of the U.S. Civil War he was breveted a Major General for his Gallant and Meritorious service at Fort Sumter and given the honor of raising the U.S. flag at Fort Sumter. He died in Nice, France on 26 Oct 1871 and was interred in West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy in Section 27, Row A, Grave 4.
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