[PeaRidge]

“It was the newly elected Democrat, Jefferson Davis, who ordered shots fired at Charleston when none were necessary.”

But then you would have to argue that it was necessary for Lincoln to order a military fleet to Charleston; to ask Seward to secretly take $10,000 from his safe to pay Fox to rent civilian ships to sneak soldiers to Charleston; to paint out the name of his ships; to task a civilian with the responsibility of a decision that would bring war; to authorize those people to fight their way into a port.

In view of that, the Confederate Command chose self defense, which was not only necessary but courageous.

[Ditto]

But then you would have to argue that it was necessary for Lincoln to order a military fleet to Charleston

It was necessary for him to at minimum attempt to reprovision the fort and he notified Governor Pickins of his intentions to do so peacefully if possible. Jefferson Davis chose war against the advice of his Vice President, Robert Toombs.

At the same time, Fort Pickens in Florida was reprovisioned, peacefully.

[Non-Sequitur]

In view of that, the Confederate Command chose self defense, which was not only necessary but courageous.

What is courageous about trying to starve the garrison into surrender and then initiating a war, all rather than allow the status quo to continue?