Robert Anderson

Born: June 14, 1805 in Louisville, Kentucky

Died: October 26, 1871 in Nice, France

Military Rank (USA): Brevet Major General

• He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1825.
• He served in the Black Hawk War, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War.
• He was a slave-owner and was pro-slavery, but he remained loyal to the Union.
• He was commanding officer of Fort Sumter (last remaining Union post in the south) during the attack and beginning of the Civil War.
• He went on a recruiting tour, but retired from the Army on October 27, 1863.
• He is credited with transforming the American flag into a symbol of patriotism.
• After Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Anderson reinstated the American flag at Fort Sumter.