The South attacked first... you had better bone up on miltary history...
I carefully said "fomented" for a reason.
Lincoln resupplied Fort Sumter, despite warnings not to do so. The garrison at Sumter was in place to discourage imports into the port of Charleston, which was a provocation for war.
Lincoln had plenty of chances to make peace with the South, both before and during the war. He ignored all overtures.
I know my history. Respectfully, perhaps it is you who should venture out beyond the simple public school revisionism of American history.