[DiogenesLamp]

Confederates were "the attacking side" and they certainly did intend to defend slavery.

The North Attacked first. Both in terms of sending a war fleet to engage the Confederate forces around Sumter, and in the fact of firing the first gun shots at members of the Florida Militia at Fort Pickens.

[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp: "The North Attacked first.
Both in terms of sending a war fleet to engage the Confederate forces around Sumter, and in the fact of firing the first gun shots at members of the Florida Militia at Fort Pickens."

Nonsense.

1. First, you continue to lie about Lincoln's resupply mission to Fort Sumter, claiming it was ordered to attack Confederates.
   In fact, Lincoln's commanders were ordered no first use of force.

2. So Lincoln's resupply mission was no more an "attack" than any resupply mission today to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

3. Second, Union troops at Fort Pickens, Florida, did not "attack" the secessionists who tried to seize the fort, before Florida declared its secession.
   So there was no possible issue of who owned Fort Pickens on January 8, 1861.
   Union troops fired warning shots and the advancing secessionists retreated.