The predicted outcome of resupplying Ft. Sumter

Uphold the constitution? Lincoln was ready to provoke war based on what obscure or non-existent clause? :unsure:

jgoodguy,

My apologies for responding to CSA Today's post before I saw your post above.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

CSA Today,

If you agree that your question is on topic with the subject of this thread, I will reply.

Unionblue
 
Give in to a rebellious state?
Politely leave your own property?
Accept threats against your soldiers after 4ish months of this behavior from rebellious states?

This makes that impossible:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."
 
A better deal than provoking a bloody war to force back into a union people that you don't like and who don't like you.

I agree with you it would have been better for both sides to prevent war---But was it too later by the time of Fort Sumter?---What at that point could there have been a compromise that would have worked---I do not see one at that point in history--- before that point maybe. Emotions ruled the day----even on this board now they rule---How could we expect any difference back then at that point.
 
I agree with you it would have been better for both sides to prevent war---But was it too later by the time of Fort Sumter?---What at that point could there have been a compromise that would have worked---I do not see one at that point in history--- before that point maybe. Emotions ruled the day----even on this board now they rule---How could we expect any difference back then at that point.

Siverfox,

I disagree with the highlighted portion of your above post.

My emotions are not so high about the outcome of Fort Sumter that I would resort to any kind of violence to see my point-of-view "triumph." That may be how high the emotions and causes were in 1861, which resulted in the outcome of the firing on Ft. Sumter, but for a debating point on a forum? Not nearly as intense, I would say. :wink:

I once read a book concerning Lincoln's last days in office which stated the people of the time were more emotional, and tended to "wear their feelings on their sleeves." Could explain a lot and fall in with the rest of your post. Wish I could remember the title and author.

Sincerely,
Unionblue
 
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I am sure once Lincoln would have submitted to every demand of the Confederate representatives had brought wirh them Jefferson Davis could have sent any additional demand by telligraph. But as each Condederate sovereign nations each Confederate state governor could have sent their demands as well.
 
Good point--I do not think anyone would be violent here---we are among friends---I am just saying even now after 150 yrs. I can detect some emotion on our various positions. I agree with you back in the day there would be a duel at the drop on a hat. Our times have changed---and we really need each other more now than ever before.
 
Uphold the constitution? Lincoln was ready to provoke war based on what obscure or non-existent clause? :unsure:
Article II, Section 1.
Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
 
So in the end Lincoln only had three paths over Fort Sumter. Surrender it. Resupply it. Reinforce it.

What were Davis options? Let it be resupplied. Let it be reinforced. Attempt to take it.

We know which step Davis took and perhaps know what steps Lincoln took.
 
So in the end Lincoln only had three paths over Fort Sumter. Surrender it. Resupply it. Reinforce it.

What were Davis options? Let it be resupplied. Let it be reinforced. Attempt to take it.

We know which step Davis took and perhaps know what steps Lincoln took.

Lincoln could also have withdrawn the troops in the Fort and suggested further negotiations. Davis with his political fire-eaters after him could not let the Fort stay---especially since the other forts were now vacant except maybe one in Fla.--He also could have ask for further negotiations but failed to do so. I do not see any other options ---maybe I am missing one.
 
So in the end Lincoln only had three paths over Fort Sumter. Surrender it. Resupply it. Reinforce it.

What were Davis options? Let it be resupplied. Let it be reinforced. Attempt to take it.

We know which step Davis took and perhaps know what steps Lincoln took.

nope - jeff davis had only two options
  1. allow the yankees whatever they attempt to (resupply or reenforce) - davis had no chance to influence whichone the yankees would chose
  2. start a war over it aka open up on it
demanding they give ft sumter up was no longer an option as he had already done that
 
Lincoln could also have withdrawn the troops in the Fort and suggested further negotiations. Davis with his political fire-eaters after him could not let the Fort stay---especially since the other forts were now vacant except maybe one in Fla.--He also could have ask for further negotiations but failed to do so. I do not see any other options ---maybe I am missing one.

i don't get that. i hear all the time how much worse radical abolintionists were compared to fireeaters. so how could lincoln (backwater lawyer from illinois) controll his while jeff davis (seasoned military comander and politician) had to give his a free reign. that kinda doesn't add up, don't you think?
 
Lots of posts on this subject, yet most are beating around the bush. I see it very simply. Davis wasn't crawling back to papa, and Lincoln wasn't letting Davis have his own country. This resulted in fisticuffs, in which Lincoln got in with an overhand right to end it in round 4.
 
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nope - jeff davis had only two options
  1. allow the yankees whatever they attempt to (resupply or reenforce) - davis had no chance to influence whichone the yankees would chose
  2. start a war over it aka open up on it
demanding they give ft sumter up was no longer an option as he had already done that

he could, however, have decided to capture or if necessary sink the us vessels (resupply or renforce, doesn't really matter) by naval forces and thus let it to maj anderson to fire the first shot with the big guns. if anderson did fire a shot he could 'rightfully' claim the north escalated it to open warfare and reduce ft sumter to rubble.

honest question: has this scenario been discussed somewhere?
 
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