[Non-Sequitur]

So, you would agree it was a fact that the residents of Charleston were correct in their knowledge that a Union fleet was arriving, and that they had stated their intent to enter the harbor, by force if necessary.

I would agree that the Southern leaders knew the fleet was coming and that they knew the intent was to maintain the status quo. And that they weren't prepared to allow that to happen.

[PeaRidge]

Very good choice of words.

The facts are that Lincoln sent a secret naval group with armed forces, tasked to fight their way into Charleston Harbor, with last minute notice to the Governor of SC.

That information was passed on to Confederate military headquarters.

They decided to make their stand there. The same thing had happened to their ancestors in June of 1776.