“...Davis ordered the Confederate commander to fire on the fort...”
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Davis sent Beauregard to Charleston to take command of defenses there.
Lobbing cannon shells at Fort Sumter was probably Beauregard’s decision.
Lincoln was itching for an excuse, and Beauregard gave him one.
Don’t think that Beauregard was likely to act without authorization. IAC, he was acting in the name of the Confederate government.
Ah yes, the “Linkum made me do it” defense.
The firing on the fort was done on orders from the Confederate cabinet. Which brings up an interesting question - why didn't Davis go to the Confederate Congress for approval before declaring war on the U.S.? Unlike the U.S. Congress, the Confederate Congress was in session.