That first ship was fired on and turned back. So of course you'd send more than one boat the next time.
What kind of ships would actually have been sent to the fort -- as opposed to waiting at sea -- and who would have been on them is a matter of conjecture since the fort was attacked before any ships got there.
And the reference to General Scott is confusing. Are you saying that Confederates had read his communique and not the orders of others in the administration? Otherwise, how does that explain the secessionists response?
The "agent" referred to was sent by Lincoln. Here's Beauregard's earlier message to Walker:
Charleston, April 8.
To L. P. Walker, Secretary of War.
An authorized messenger from President Lincoln just informed Governor Pickens and myself that provisions will be sent to Fort Sumpter[sic], peaceably, or otherwise by force.
[Signed.] G. T. BEAUREGARD.
This document which you did not site, gives a very different view of the situation from what you've said.
This is factually incorrect. It was the arrival of a second ship at the rendezvous point that triggered the notification that if the fort was not evacuated immediately, General Beauregard was going to open fire with his batteries.
The Confederates waited to see if the ships were actually going to come before they started shooting.
And the reference to General Scott is confusing. Are you saying that Confederates had read his communique and not the orders of others in the administration? Otherwise, how does that explain the secessionists response?
I have little doubt that the Confederates read everything. Lieutenant David Porter told Lincoln himself that the Navy was full of Confederate spies and sympathizers and that if anything were sent through official channels, the Confederates would be informed of it as fast as a message can get down the Telegraph wires.
I have little doubt the Army was similarly filled with spies and sympathizers, and it too leaked like a sieve.
Lincoln used this fact to his advantage when he sent hand carried secret orders with David Porter handing him command of the Powhatan (which everyone expected to arrive and lead the assault) to make sure the Union ships would really never attack, all while leaving the Confederates to believe that they would.
The "agent" referred to was sent by Lincoln. Here's Beauregard's earlier message to Walker:
I don't think so. That "agent" was communicating with Governor Pickens, Not General Beauregard. The message sent by Walker says the agent was communicating with Beauregard.
"If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington Government...
.
.
This document which you did not site, gives a very different view of the situation from what you've said.
I didn't cite it because that agent was not communicating with Beauregard. Why should I cite it? Walker was with Governor Pickens (as noted in your message) and he was communicating with Beauregard by Telegraph. Presumably Beauregard was not in the room with Walker and Pickens, or they would have had no need to communicate by telegraph.
Presumably whatever "agent" to which Walker refers, was with Beauregard.