[mac_truck]

President-elect Lincoln’s secret communication to General Scott, urging him to formulate plans to retain the fort, was consistent with Scott’s representative Major Buell’s suggestion to Major Anderson that he could withdraw to Ft. Sumter if he chose to do so.

You seem confused as to whom Assistant Adjutant General D. C. Buell represented during his visit to Charleston in December 1860, or his purpose for going there. The offical record of this matter has already been presented several times. 884

The invisible hand of Lincoln did not guide Major Anderson's actions. It was Democrat President Buchanan and Secretary of War John Floyd who gave Anderson his orders.

These are primary sources. Why do you persist in distorting them?

[PeaRidge]

"It was Democrat President Buchanan and Secretary of War John Floyd who gave Anderson his orders."

Supposedly. However, on December 11, it was Major Buell who conveyed the orders to Anderson. If he had conveyed the exact orders given him by Secretary Floyd, then this would not have happened:

12/23/1860 On this day, Major Anderson at Fort Moultrie received a hand delivered letter from Secretary of War, John Floyd, giving him more specific orders. He was told to “exercise a sound military discretion,” defending his post if attacked, but to make no “useless sacrifice” of lives. He stated that under Buell’s instructions, he might infer that he should make a vain attempt to save the fort, but this was not the President’s wishes.

He was instructed to surrender if superior forces compelled it.

Major Buell reported to the Army Chief of Staff, Winfield Scott. Having advocated holding the Forts prior to this time as published in his "Views" and addendum in October, his attitude was public knowledge.

Meanwhile, Lincoln was writing and meeting with Thurlow Weed, Washburne, and Frank Blair, telling them not to compromise on anything, and to convey to Scott his intentions of either holding or retaking the forts.