[XRdsRev]

Whether or not, the Star of the West carried 200 infantrymen is irrelevant. Those infantrymen were no threat to the batteries on Morris Island. The ship was essentially unarmed and unable to respond to the cannon fire it was exposed to.

Southern authorities also knew that the ship was coming, they knew what the troops orders were and they knew that if it was challenged it would turn around and leave. Instead of peacefully challenging it, they ambushed the ship.

Certain persons in Charleston wanted to start a war. They got one and paid the price for their indiscretion.

[Maelstrom]

The Star of the West also brought cannon.