True, and many counseled against attacking.
Of note was that Ft. Sumter was unoccupied for a number of years prior to the attack, and that, under orders from President James Buchanan on Dec. 26,1860, US Major Robert Anderson surreptitiously moved his small command of some 80 men from the indefensible Fort Moultrie ,located on Sullivan’s Island, over to the empty Fort Sumter, to control the entrance of Charleston Harbor. He then raised the flag and Buchanan ordered re-supply of the new “base” by a merchant ship, which was prevented on Jan. 9, 1861 by being fired on by shore batteries.
All of this happened before Lincoln took office on March 4,1861. In the time running up to his taking office there was plenty of goading of Charlestonians about Secession, and the threat to shipping to Charleston was constantly made. Lincoln took office, and notified the Gov. of SC that he was re-supplying the fort, and this resulted in an ultimatum to Anderson to evacuate the fort immediately. Anderson refused and the shelling commenced.
Lincoln wanted the first shots fired by the South- and he got it. Would that it had been otherwise and a treaty of Secession drawn up. Not to be with the oligarchy’s plans. Such tragic loss of life, property and promise.
Fort Sumter wasn't unoccupied when Anderson moved his men there. Work on the fort had proceeded in fits and starts for close to 30 years. In December 1860 there was one officer and a number of workmen laboring on the fort.
Lincoln wanted the first shots fired by the South- and he got it.
Fell right into his trap did they? </sarcasm>
Would that it had been otherwise and a treaty of Secession drawn up. Not to be with the oligarchy’s plans. Such tragic loss of life, property and promise.
Shouldn't such an agreement been negotiated and agreed to before walking out and not after?