Born: June 14, 1805, Jefferson county, Kentucky, U.S. (Show more) Died: October 26, 1871, Nice, France (Show more) Robert Anderson (born June 14, 1805, Jefferson county, Kentucky, U.S.—died October 26, 1871, Nice, France) was a career U.S. Army officer who fought for the Union during the American Civil War. Anderson was the commander of the Federal garrison at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces under P.G.T. Beauregard opened fire on his position. This marked the beginning of the American Civil War. Anderson was born to a military family. His father, Richard Clough Anderson, served in the Revolutionary army under George Washington, eventually attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Among his uncles were George Rogers Clark, ...(100 of 1373 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!