[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp responding to x: "The troops on those ships that were sent to reinforce Ft. Sumter."

There were some troops aboard Lincoln's resupply ships.
But Lincoln's orders to them, and his promise to South Carolina Governor Pickens, was that no attempt to land them would be made so long as the resupply mission was not opposed by Confederates.

[DiogenesLamp]

There were some troops aboard Lincoln's resupply ships.

Because everyone knows it takes 1,800 men with guns to unload food.

But Lincoln's orders to them, and his promise to South Carolina Governor Pickens, was that no attempt to land them would be made so long as the resupply mission was not opposed by Confederates.

I have recently been informed of an analysis that makes a pretty good argument that Lincoln never was going to attempt to land them. Their purpose was only to serve as compelling evidence that he was intent on violating the armistice and his own agreement.

They were basically sent to 10 miles east of Charleston's lighthouse to bob in the water for the sole purpose of allowing the confederates to see that they were there, and to convince them of the probability of an attack from the Sea forming one component of a pincer, with the other being provided by the Fortress, still at that point in Union hands.

The reason this was done in secret is because many people would have rightly seen this armed force as a deliberate provocation, so it was essential that the larger public not be aware of it.

The Southern government was most definitely aware of it because their spies had told them those ships carried armed men.

General G.T. Beauregard, Charleston Montgomery, 10th

If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington government to supply Sumter by force, you will at once demand its evacuation, and, if this is refused, proceed, in such manner as you may determine, to reduce it.

L.P. Walker, Secretary of War

[PeaRidge]

Actually the mission goal was described as resupply to Governor Pickens, but Lincoln gave different orders to his expedition commanders:

Signed approved: Abraham Lincoln
April 4, 1861
To: Lieut. Col. H.L. Scott, Aide de Camp
This will be handed to you by Captain G.V. Fox, an ex-officer of the Navy. He is charged by authority here, with the command of an expedition (under cover of certain ships of war) whose object is, to reinforce Fort Sumter.

To embark with Captain Fox, you will cause a detachment of recruits, say about 200, to be immediately organized at fort Columbus, with competent number of officers, arms, ammunition, and subsistence, with other necessaries needed for the augmented garrison at Fort Sumter.
Signed: Winfield Scott