[Tribune7]

It probably wasn't illegal. But the South did fire on Fort Sumter, and in their infinite wisdom, manage to start a war.

[azhenfud]

"But the South did fire on Fort Sumter..."

They did - after strictly warning Lincoln not to resupply the fort, that an attempt do do so would be considered an act of NORTHERN AGGRESSION leading to war. He tried it anyway.

[Aurelius]

"But the South did fire on Fort Sumter, and in their infinite wisdom, manage to start a war."

They could have been smarter, but Lincoln maneuvered them into it. He would have had his war in any case; it just would have been preferable had responsibility lain plainly with him.