jan 1, 1862 - Fort Sumter: Use of Executive Power (POL)(NAT)

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One of the best examples of use of Executive Power by a President was by Abraham Lincoln during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Considered today as the first shots fired that began the American Civil War. On the days leading to the siege of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, a state already seceded from the U.S., demanded that all U.S. Army forces withdraw from all military installations or properties within any seceded state. Ft. Sumter, an important strategic stronghold in Charleston Harbor was quickly threatened. As supplies and army support was being delivered by the U.S. Army, a group of confederate allied militias attacked the fort heavily. Lincoln issued a Declaration of War and, adhering to the existing Militia Act of 1792, used this law to call for 75,000 civil militias to assist in retaking the fort, suspend habeas corpus and issue a blockade of any Confederate ships from entering the Harbor. Thus, emphasizing how quickly Executive Order or Power can be enacted during times of war.

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