The battle of Fort Sumter started on April 12, 1861 and ended on April 13, 1861. It was the first battle of the war. The two Generals were Union - Major General Robert Anderson and the Confederacy- General P.G.T. Beauregard. The Union had a total of 80 troops and the confederacy had 500 troops. There were no casualties from this battle. This battle was the first battle of the bloodiest war in history and it was a Confederate victory! This battle lead the Union off on the foot.