To the March 4 date included in your timeline, and with a nod to your tagline, here are a few words from Lincoln’s First Inaugural:
“...to collect the duties and imposts...”
According to Lincoln’s own words it was about money. Again, this was on March 4, 1861. Money. Keep the taxes flowing...or else.
Also, the USSC court set the April 19 date in your timeline as the beginning date of hostilities. The May 6 document declares a state of war exists and the USSC decision to use April 19 verifies this.
southernsunshine: "According to Lincoln’s own words it was about money.
Again, this was on March 4, 1861.
Money. Keep the taxes flowing...or else."
Believe me, I understand how difficult it must have been for you to dig down into Lincoln's speech to extract just those few words, while ignoring everything else he said.
I'm trying to think of an appropriate analogy, strictly from the perspective of a Neo-Confederate.
Let's see... hmmmm.... suppose those few words were your valuable, sparkling diamond ring?
It is somehow lost in a septic tank, so you must get down in the tank, to pull out those words, so you can somehow justify every insane Confederate decision made after that...
My, you'd need a thorough scrubbing then, wouldn't you?
So I fully understand and appreciate your work here, and I'm sorry it was all in vain.
That's because Lincoln's complete words are actually quite clear, simple and inspiring.
He promises to do what he has to, to fulfill his oath to defend and protect the US Constitution, and he will not disturb Southerners any more than they want to be disturbed.
Yes, of course, the Confederacy saw Lincoln's words as a "declaration of war", because that's exactly what they wanted to see.
War was their objective, and if Lincoln would do nothing to provoke it, then they were happy to provoke him.
southernsunshine: "Also, the USSC court set the April 19 date in your timeline as the beginning date of hostilities."
I'd call that Neo-Confederate self-delusion.
The truth is that rebellion (illegal seizures of Federal properties, threats against Federal officials) started in most Confederate states even before they declared secession.
So what is the precise dividing line between rebellion and outright war?
I'd say the first act of outright war was the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter, beginning April 12, along with Jefferson Davis' moves to issue letters of marque and reprisal on April 17.
Lincoln's responses to those Confederate acts of war were the least he could have done, still hoping to avoid a major conflict.
southernsunshine: "The May 6 document declares a state of war exists and the USSC decision to use April 19 verifies this."
The Confederacy's declaration of war on the United States, May 6, 1861, was just that: a declaration of war.
It's formal language corresponds exactly to that of President Franklin Roosevelt's December 12, 1941 "Day of Infamy" speech: