Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Lincoln sent a supply ship. They all knew that Sumter had to resupply and they didn't want them to do it.
That still doesn't change the fact that the South was the aggressor.
Leaving troops in a state that seceded wasn't an aggressive act? One ship to resupply, or even two, would be hard pressed to be considered an aggressive act...ships to include war ships with additional troops...not a big leap to assume more than supply.
sloop-of-war USS Pawnee,
steam sloop-of-war USS Powhatan, transporting motorized launches and about 300 sailors
armed screw steamer USS Pocahontas,
Revenue Cutter USRC Harriet Lane,
steamer Baltic transporting about 200 troops,
three hired tug boats with added protection against small arms fire to be used to tow troop and supply barges
All set to arrive on April 11, 1861. What date was the first shot fired?
Lincoln had one focus above all else...saving the union. Not everyone in the north agreed and we know the south wasn't on board. He also had states that had slaves that hadn't joined the Confederacy that he didn't want to swing...such as Maryland...so perception was very important.
Do I think Lincoln was the aggressor here? Sure. Do I think what he was attempting to do, on many levels beyond the ability to convey in this forum, was right? Sure do.