[PeaRidge]

You said: “And this is Lincoln's ‘super secret’ plan for invading Charleston? The one he informed Governor Pickens on?”

Then explain this:

Order of the President of the United States to the Commandant, Navy Yard, New York.

The fitting out of the USS Powhatan

Executive Mansion, April 1, 1861

Sir: You will fit out the Powhatan without delay. Lieutenant Porter will relieve Captain Mercer in command of her. She is bound on secret service, and you will under no circumstances communicate to the Navy Department the fact that she is fitting out.

Abraham Lincoln

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9404E4D9153CE433A25753C1A9679C94669ED7CF

[Non-Sequitur]

Then explain this:

What of it?