[WhiskeyPapa]

The simple fact is that without Lincoln's fleet there would have been no bombardment. It was the direct and causal instigating event.

Who fired the first shot?

President Lincoln maneuvered the rebels into opening hostilities. But he didn't shy away from a confrontation. He sincerely thought the rebellion would collapse if firmly opposed.

One point that ought to come out is that opposition to secession in the north was not well focused in early April. Life went on in the north; who cared much what the south did? As is often mentioned, New York City seemed to support secession.

But once the rebels fired on Old Glory, it galvanized the nation, one author has suggested, much in the same way that the attack on Pearl Harbor did.

There was a large and active anti-war movement in the U.S. prior to 12/7/41. The next day, it was gone.

So President Lincoln's actions got him what he wanted -- he thought.

Walt

[GOPcapitalist]

Who fired the first shot?

The USS Harriet Lane - one of the ships in Lincoln's fleet.

[GOPcapitalist]

But once the rebels fired on Old Glory, it galvanized the nation, one author has suggested, much in the same way that the attack on Pearl Harbor did.

So you think it is okay to intentionally provoke and permit another Pearl Harbor if that is what it takes to get us into a desired war?

[Ditto]

But once the rebels fired on Old Glory, it galvanized the nation, one author has suggested, much in the same way that the attack on Pearl Harbor did.

Robert Toombs warned Davis that would happen and predicted the eventual outcome of starting the war would be the destruction of the south. Davis choose to ignore him.