The Virginia legislature had voted to secede and forces led by a former governor seized the government arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Virginia had initiated hostilities, not the Federal Government.
Wrong again. The union ship Harriet Lane fired the first shot several hours before any confederate pulled a trigger.
Yet the southern forces had fired on the U.S. flag on two occasions prior to that.
Incorrect. They voted to have a referendum on secession. That referendum had not taken effect yet when The Lincoln blockaded them.
Yet the southern forces had fired on the U.S. flag on two occasions prior to that.
...neither of which was in the proximity of the war or played a role in that war's first battle.