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Lincoln, Davis and the
Fort Sumter Episode
Historians agree on the events from March to
April 1861, disagree on responsibility.
Both Lincoln and Davis faced similar
problems.
Lincoln’s policy is cleared by his inaugural
address-use force if necessary.
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Would possess federal property and collect tariff (not
sure how to do it).
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Knows it is a delicate position.
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If he appears indecisive or to aggressive, the remaining slave
states (Upper South and Border States) may join the Confederacy.
North is not totally united.
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Unsure of loyalty from Democrats (they blame Republicans for
secession.
Some Democrats are anti-coercionists
Some still support State’s Rights.
Some believe that secession is a “Black Republican” trick to
abolish slavery.
Davis faced similar problems.
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Confederacy only made up of 7 states, he wants
the allegiance of the Upper South and Border
States.
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If to aggressive or indecisive, he will lose them.
The Confederacy was not a united nation.
Some old Union and Cotton Whigs had
questionable loyalty.
Both wait for the other to fire the first shot and
believe that they have the time to allow things
to come into focus.
Forts Sumter and Pickens
Both Lincoln and Davis share problem of
control of the forts and remaining federal
authority.
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These 2 forts were exceptions to the CSA taking
over federal installations when states seceded.
For Lincoln, Pickens was easier to reinforce
because it was outside the range of
Confederate batteries.
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Lincoln used fort to maintain control.
A thorn to Davis.
Fort Sumter was a sticker problem.
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Was located in the “home of secession”.
December 26, 1860; Col. Robert Anderson moved
troops from Fort Moultrie to unfinished Sumter.
Anderson sent note to Buchanan for
supplies.
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Relief ship Star of the West sent.
South Carolina militia prevents ship from
landing.
Buchanan turns problem over to Lincoln.
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March 5, 1861; Anderson informs Lincoln he has only 4-6
weeks supplies left.
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Lincoln forced to reconsider “Masterly Inactivity”-time running
out.
Lincoln needs to maintain federal authority or at least create
the illusion. (Maintain by resupply, create by collecting tariffs)
Seward wants to shift focus to Pickens, can’t because of
symbolism of Sumter.
Lincoln turns to General Winfield Scott, he believed
Sumter was impossible to defend and recommends
evacuation.
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Seward agrees as long as in return the
Border States would give binding pledge
to remain in the Union.
Jefferson Davis on Pickens and Sumter
CSA claim to nationhood is invalidated with 2
federal installations remaining, must get by
diplomacy or force.
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Early March 1861, Davis sent 3 person peace
commission to negotiate with Seward for evacuation.
If negotiations fail, Davis tells Confederate forces to be
ready to attack.
Neither Lincoln or Davis see consequences of
their actions, they are only dealing with events as
they happen.
William Seward
Viewed Lincoln as a “country bumpkin”needing
guidance from a “prime minister”.
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Passed word to Confederate commissioners that
Lincoln was ready to evacuate Fort Sumter.
Also met in secret with Virginia Secessionists
Convention; to appease non-coercionists he tells them
Sumter will be evacuated.
As days passed with no evacuation, they feel Seward
lied to them.
Meanwhile Lincoln convinced to
resupply the fort by Gustavus Fox
as a humanitarian mission.
Lincoln announced plan at March
29th cabinet meeting, Seward
disagreed.
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Seward sent Lincoln memo recommending immediate
evacuation and suggested the US declare war on
some European aggressor to rekindle Southern
patriotism and reuniting the U.S.
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Lincoln bluntly and tactfully replied thanking Seward and
reminding him he was President.
Seward offered to resign, Lincoln refused, Seward becomes
Lincoln’s biggest supporter.
April 8, 1861; Lincoln notified governor of South
Carolina that the U.S. was sending a ship to
resupply the fort with provisions only.
April 10, 1861, Davis informed, ordered P.G.T.
Beauregard to demand fort’s surrender,
if not, to open fire.
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Lincoln figured he couldn’t lose, could
resupply if they don’t.
If they do he can claim that they are the
aggressors.
April 12, 1861, 4:30 A.M.-Confederates open fire.
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Honor of first shot goes to Edmund Ruffin.
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Anderson forced to surrender the fort on April 14.
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No one killed.
Reaction.
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Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers to serve for 90 days.
Caused escalation into full-fledged war.
Who was guilty of aggression?
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Confederates said North, Anderson’s move was
aggressive, firing was self-defense.
Union said South was the aggressor because it did not
exist when it fired on the fort.
Both sides were sincere in thoughts of peace (Lincolnunited nation; Davis-2 nations). (Lincoln quote)
Neither side understood the fundamental risks they
were dealing with.
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Attack meant no political compromise was possible.
Both had no concept of total war.
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They only had Mexican War legacy to go by-limited, short and
self-righteousness of both sides.
Technological developments.
Immediate Winners and Losers
U.S. lost key states in Upper South, particularly
Virginia.
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The western counties of Virginia stay in the Union and are
occupied by U.S. forces.
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Later in 1863, area is illegally admitted as a state.
Border States remain loyal.
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Maryland because of Federal occupation, probably would
have seceded.
Missouri stayed loyal to U.S. because of an internal civil
war which was won by pro-Union forces.
Kentucky is sharply divided and declares itself neutral.
By the end of May, both sides began equipping
volunteers for swelling armies.