[DiogenesLamp]

No force authorized unless the resupply mission is opposed by force.

There wasn't anybody on either side that believe that was going to happen. Certainly not Lincoln's cabinet, because the vast bulk of them said it would start a war.

So what were those warships going to do when the inevitable opposition manifested itself? Tell me what wasn't "further from the truth" regarding those warships next actions?

The “War Fleets” order were to return to their ports.

Weren't you the one that kept demanding I show you the orders"? Their orders were absolutely not to "return to their ports", their orders were to use all force at their command to place troops and supplies into Fort Sumter.

I will assume you have forgotten, but I am reminding you right now, that those warships official orders would have had them attacking the confederates surrounding the entrance to the harbor.

Mercer was to assume command and use his "entire force" to complete the mission.

I believe I have already linked you to the memoir written by Admiral Porter in which he asserted every ship would have been sunk. Do you not recall?

[Bull Snipe]

“There wasn’t anybody on either side that believe that was going to happen. Certainly not Lincoln’s cabinet, because the vast bulk of them said it would start a war”
Just as Davis’s cabinet advised him of the consequences of firing on the Fort. to wit “Firing on that fort will inaugurate a civil war greater than any the world has yet seen.” Robert Toombs, Confederate Secretary of State.

“their orders were to use all force at their command to place troops and supplies into Fort Sumter.” You have seen the orders to Powhatan. you know that is not what they said. Force was authorized only if the resupply mission was opposed by force. If not, once the resupply mission was complete, the ships were to return to their ports.
Porter does not mention that he was sent orders countermanding the Pensacola mission on the afternoon he sailed, directing him to proceed to Fort Sumter. He ignored those orders because they were signed by Seward.