Do a search on nolu chan's posts to the other thread you started on the ACW and "Neoconfederates"; he has recently been beavering away on the subject of the confrontation over Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens, bringing historical material and posting it back and forth to rustbucket, 4ConservativeJustices, and other posters. Go have a read and catch up on your own thread a little bit, and then tell us what you think.
Yes, this is a homework assignment. The good news is, if you accept it and go take a look, you'll know a lot more when you're done.