[DiogenesLamp]

No, Lincoln's plan was to resupply and reinforce if necessary US troops in Union forts. The decision to use Lincoln's resupply missions to start Civil War was strictly Jefferson Davis'.

Then why did Captain Porter think he would be sunk? The statement that he might be sunk implies he was intending to engage in some belligerent act.

[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp: "Then why did Captain Porter think he would be sunk?
The statement that he might be sunk implies he was intending to engage in some belligerent act."

"Belligerant"? No.
No more "belligerent" than US resupply & reinforcement missions today to such places as Guantanamo Bay.
Like Confederates, Commie Cubans claim the US has no right to be there.
But if Cubans threaten our troops, that's a provocation of war and if they attack, that's an act of war.
Just like Fort Sumter or Fort Pickens.

Another historical example is US troops in West Berlin, surrounded by Stalin's Soviet tank divisions who demanded we leave.
But the US refused to leave and so long as Soviets didn't attack them, no war was fought over it.
Just like Fort Sumter or Fort Pickens.