Proposed Invasion of Charleston harbor by the North

[brass napoleon]

Welcome to the fourm, don't you know by now every thread tends to get sidetracked to food lol

... or Fort Sumter. Which makes this so fitting. Ah well, time for breakfast... :laugh1:

 

[OpnCoronet]

Gen. Simons views and recommendation were relevant to events at Charleston Harbor, but as far as war was concerned, events had overtaken them.
The issue of the starting of war no longer rested in Charleston(or SC for that matter), but in Montgomery, by Jefferson Davis and his administration.

 

[OpnCoronet]

and, of course, as already pointed on this thread, there was no planned invasion of SC(or, the the south). The united states cannot invade itself and since the south was an integral part of the United States, by that fact alone, there could be no invasion, planned or otherwise.
There was a plan to resupply and/or reinforce a Federal Installation as circumstances permitted, but could be of no particlar concern, or threat, to law abiding citizens in the area, as it had not been(a threat or concern) through all the previous generations of resupply and reinforcement of all Federal forts and installations.

 

[wilber6150]

Found some interesting new data on Confederate troop strength in S. Carolina during the crisis period

HEADQUARTERS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
March 6, 1861.
Major General M. L. BONHAM,
Commanding Volunteer Forces of South Carolina:
GENERAL: The number of companies organized and received under the act of General Assembly of December 17, 1860, is 104-in the aggregate amounting to 8,835 rank and file, constituting ten regiments of ten companies each. The force is divided into four brigades, constituting one division.
Respectfully,
S. R. GIST,
Adjutant and Inspector General of South Carolina.

http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?page=689&dir=126

In addition, we have Greggs regiment of 6 month volunteers were at 1,059 on March 25, and regulars under Brig. Gen Dunovant numbered 960 ( from S. Carolina goes to War by Charles Cauthen)

So by end of March we have at almost 11,000 S. Carolina troops in active service in the state..Note this doesn't take into consideration troops from other states that are arriving to support S. Carolina.

 

[George Purvis]

Does anyone know the makeup of the "supply fleet." No they were not starving. Did the South really fire the first shot?

It must be remembered that there was also a fleet headed to pensacola. Lincoln was determined to have his war.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[wilber6150]

Does anyone know the makeup of the "supply fleet." No they were not starving. Did the South really fire the first shot?

It must be remembered that there was also a fleet headed to pensacola. Lincoln was determined to have his war.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

The make up of the "so called" fleet has been listed many times on this forum, and the only provisions they had left was a small supply of salt pork...No Davis was determined to have a war, Lincoln was determined to send in supplies...

 

[George Purvis]

The make up of the "so called" fleet has been listed many times on this forum, and the only provisions they had left was a small supply of salt pork...No Davis was determined to have a war, Lincoln was determined to send in supplies...

Can you point me to the list of ships in this supply fleet? I am almost sure they had more food than what you listed, although I can't post specfics at this time. I will be more than happy to reserach my files for an answer.

Davis was determined to have a war??? I don't think so.

George Purvis

 

[wilber6150]

By the date that Anderson said the fort would be starved out,Doubleday states in his memoirs, that they could have survived on the little amount of salt pork they had for two weeks past that date..But, that was all they had, no vegitables, no flour and no bread..

 

[George Purvis]

See that is the difference, they would be starved out not starved to death. Wasn't it the intention of the Confederate government to force Anderson to leave Sumter? Didn't they advise Anderson supplies would be cut off? Didn't the Union soldiers walk out under their own power? Starving not likely.

It should be noted that Anderson moved his troops to Sumter without orders, breaking a handshake aggreement that was in palce not to move. I read on this board Anderson was threatned, so what were the threats? He was being supplied by Charleston, so what was the threat?

I know I am playing catch up here, and I am not quite sure how to use this forum. If you could point me to the makeup of the "supply fleet" I would appreciate it.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[George Purvis]

I had read somewhere on this page that the Federal government "owned' Fort Sumter. That is not true according to this agreement --

"South Carolina in 1805 (Statutes at Large, Volume V, p. 501) provided as follows in regard to the cessions in Charleston Harbor:"

"That, if the United States shall not, within three years from the passing of this act, and notification thereof by the governor of this State to the Executive of the United States, repair the fortifications now existing thereon, or build such other forts or fortifications as may be deemed most expedient by the Executive of the United States on the same, and keep a garrison or garrisons therein, in such case this grant or cession shall be void and of no effect."

Work was being done on Sumter as Anderson's men took control.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[wilber6150]

See that is the difference, they would be starved out not starved to death. Wasn't it the intention of the Confederate government to force Anderson to leave Sumter? Didn't they advise Anderson supplies would be cut off? Didn't the Union soldiers walk out under their own power? Starving not likely.

It should be noted that Anderson moved his troops to Sumter without orders, breaking a handshake aggreement that was in palce not to move. I read on this board Anderson was threatned, so what were the threats? He was being supplied by Charleston, so what was the threat?

I know I am playing catch up here, and I am not quite sure how to use this forum. If you could point me to the makeup of the "supply fleet" I would appreciate it.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

Anderson was no longer be supplied by Charleston once Lincoln took office, and gave the date where he believed his troops could no longer subsist on the supplies, noone had said they would be dead.. It takes human beings quite a long time to starve to death..
Anderson followed his orders and was allowed to move under these orders to any of the three forts that he saw fit when he a "design for hostile intent", and theres doubt that Andrson even knew about this agreement...

 

[wilber6150]

Copy of the S. Carolina law passed in 1836 deeding Sumter to the government​

​

Committee on Federal RelationsIn the House of Representatives, December 31st, 1836​

"The Committee on Federal relations, to which was referred the Governor's message, relating to the site of Fort Sumter, in the harbour of Charleston, and the report of the Committee on Federal Relations from the Senate on the same subject, beg leave to Report by Resolution:

"Resolved, That this state do cede to the United States, all the right, title and claim of South Carolina to the site of Fort Sumter and the requisite quantity of adjacent territory, Provided, That all processes, civil and criminal issued under the authority of this State, or any officer thereof, shall and may be served and executed upon the same, and any person there being who may be implicated by law; and that the said land, site and structures enumerated, shall be forever exempt from liability to pay any tax to this state.​

"Also resolved: That the State shall extinguish the claim, if any valid claim there be, of any individuals under the authority of this State, to the land hereby ceded.​

"Also resolved, That the Attorney-General be instructed to investigate the claims of Wm. Laval and others to the site of Fort Sumter, and adjacent land contiguous thereto; and if he shall be of the opinion that these parties have a legal title to the said land, that Generals Hamilton and Hayne and James L. Pringle, Thomas Bennett and Ker. Boyce, Esquires, be appointed Commissioners on behalf of the State, to appraise the value thereof. If the Attorney-General should be of the opinion that the said title is not legal and valid, that he proceed by seire facius of other proper legal proceedings to have the same avoided; and that the Attorney-General and the said Commissioners report to the Legislature at its next session.​

"Resolved, That this House to agree. Ordered that it be sent to the Senate for concurrence. By order of the House:​

"T. W. Glover, C. H. R."​

"In Senate, December 21st, 1836​

"Resolved, that the Senate do concur. Ordered that it be returned to the House of Representatives, By order:

Jacob Warly, C. S.​

 

[wilber6150]

Memorandum of verbal instructions to Major Anderson, 1st Artillery, commanding at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina:
You are aware of the great anxiety of the Secretary of War that a collision of the troops with the people of this State shall be avoided, and of his studied determination to pursue a course with reference to the military force and forts in this harbor which shall guard against such a collision. He has, therefore, carefully abstained from increasing the force at this point, or taking any measures which might add to the present excited state of the public mind, or which would throw any doubt on the confidence he feels that South Carolina will not attempt by violence to obtain possession of the public works or interfere with their occupancy. But as the counsel and acts of rash and impulsive persons may possibly disappoint these expectations of the Government, he deems it proper that you shall be prepared with instructions to meet so unhappy a contingency. He has, therefore, directed me verbally to give you such instructions.
You are carefully to avoid every act which would needlessly tend to provoke aggression, and for that reason you are not, without evident and imminent necessity, to take up any position which could be construed into the assumption of a hostile attitude. But you are to hold possession of the forts in this harbor, and if attacked you are to defend yourself to the last extremity. The smallness of your force will not permit you, perhaps, to occupy more than one of the three forts, but an attack on or attempt to take possession of either one of them will be regarded as an act of hostility, and you may then put your command into either of them which you may deem most proper, to increase its power of resistance. You are also authorized to take similar defensive steps whenever you have tangible evidence of a design to proceed to a hostile act.

D. C. Buell, Assistant Adjutant-General.
FORT MOULTRIE, S.C.,
December 11, 1860.
This is in conformity to my instructions to Major Buell.
John B. Floyd, Secretary of War.

 

[wilber6150]

A good summary of the fleet can be found here
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/rebel-guns-charleston-april-1861.45792/#post-369654

 

[George Purvis]

Anderson was no longer be supplied by Charleston once Lincoln took office, and gave the date where he believed his troops could no longer subsist on the supplies, noone had said they would be dead.. It takes human beings quite a long time to starve to death..
Anderson followed his orders and was allowed to move under these orders to any of the three forts that he saw fit when he a "design for hostile intent", and theres doubt that Andrson even knew about this agreement...

I am not sure the exact date supplies were cut off, it really doen't matter since Anderson was warned.

Perhaps you can post these "design for hostile intent", and Andersons orders to move to Sumter?

Now with Washington and Anderson in constant contact it is just not beleveable that Anderson was ignorant of the truce.

Regardless if Anderson knew of the truce between the President and South Carolina he knew the truce he made--

Source: Mr. Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion. Pages 165-194 (current) Page 194

Governor Pickens to refer the question of surrender to Washington. In his answer of the same date to the Governor's menacing request, whilst stating that, he could not comply with it, and
deeply regretting that the Governor should have made a demand of him with which he could not comply, he presents, the following alternative : "Should your Excellency deem fit, prior to a resort. to arms, to refer this matter to Washington, it would afford me the sincerest pleasure to depute one of my officers to accompany any messenger you may deem, proper to be the bearer of your demand." This proposition was promptly accepted by the
Governor, and in pursuance thereof he sent on his part Hon. I. W. Hayne, Attorney-General of South Carolina, to Washington; whilst Major Anderson sent as his deputy Lieutenant J. Norman Hall, of the first artillery, then under his command in the fort. These gentlemen immediately set out for Washington, and arrived together on the evening of the 13th January, 1861.

Thus, greatly to the surprise of the President, had a truce or suspension of arms been concluded between Major Anderson and Governor Pickens, to continue, from its very nature, until he should again decide against the surrender of Fort Sumter. This was what the writers on public law denominate "a partial truce under which hostilities are suspended only in certain places, as between a town and the army besieging it." ★ Until this decision should be made by the President, Major Anderson had thus placed it out of his own power to ask for reënforcements, and equally out of the power of the Government to send them with- out a violation of the public faith pledged by him as the commandant of the fort.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[George Purvis]

A good summary of the fleet can be found here
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/rebel-guns-charleston-april-1861.45792/#post-369654

That is nice but quite incomplete A ggod friend of mine has reserached Fort Sumter for years and this is the list he provides (Used with Permission)


The following list embraces the names, with armaments and troops, of Lincoln's supply fleet dispatched from New York and Washington to Charleston harbor, for the relief of Fort Sumter:-

Vessels of War
Steam sloop-of-war Pawnee, Captain S. C. Rowan, 10 guns and 200 men. The Pawnee sailed from Washington, with sealed orders, on the morning of Saturday, April 6.
Steam sloop-of-war Powhatan, Captain E. D. Porter, 11 guns and 275 men. The Powhatan sailed from the Brookyln Navy Yard on Saturday afternoon April 6.
Revenue cutter Harriet Lane, Captain J. Faunce, 5 guns and 96 men. On Saturday, April 6, the Harriet Lane exchanged her revenue flag for the United States navy flag, denoting her transfer to the Government naval service, and sailed suddenly on last Monday morning, with sealed orders.

The Steam Transports
Atlantic, 358 troops, composed of Companies A and M of the Second artillery, Companies C and H of the Second infantry, and Company A of sappers and miners from West Point. The Atlantic sailed from the steam at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning last, April 7.
Baltic, 160 troops, composed of Companies C and D, recruits, from Governor's and Bedloe's islands. The Baltic sailed from Quarantine at 7o'clock on Tuesday morning last, April 9.
Illinois, 300 troops, composed of Companies B, E, F, G and H, and a detachment from Company D, all recruits from Governor's and Bedloe's Islands, together with two companies of the Second infantry, from Fort Hamilton. The Illinois sailed from Quarantine on Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock.

The Steamtugs
Two steamtugs, with a Government official on each, bearing sealed dispatches, were also sent. The Yankee left New York on Monday evening, 8th, and the Uncle Ben on Tuesday night.

The Launches
Nearly thirty of these boats-whose services are most useful in effecting a landing of troops over shoal water, and for attacking a discharging battery when covered with sand and gunny bags- have been taken out by the Powhatan and by the steam transports Atlantic, Baltic and Illinois.

Recapitulation
Vessels Guns Men
Sloop-of-war Pawnee 10 200
Sloop-of-war Powhatan 11 275
Cutter Harriet Lane 5 96
Steam Transport Atlantic 353
Steam Transport Baltic 160
Steam Transport Illinois 300
Steamtug Yankee Ordinary Crew
Steamtug Uncle Ben Ordinary Crew
Total number of vessels 8
Total number of guns (for marine service) 26
Total number of men and troops 1,380

It is understood that several transports are soon to be chartered, and dispatched to Charleston with troops and supplies.
________________________
Those ships that were assigned specifically to Charleston.
The ships assigned were the steam sloop-of-war USS Pawnee, steam sloop-of-war USS Powhatan, transporting motorized launches and about 300 sailors (secretly removed from the Charleston fleet to join in the forced reenforcement of Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Fla.), armed screw steamer USS Pochaontas, Revenue Cutter USS Harriet Lane, steamer Baltic transporting about 200 troops, composed of companies C and D of the 2nd U.S. Artillery, and three hired tug boats. The rest of the ships listed in the New York paper went to Pensacola.

Sorta gets away from the "unarmed supply" fleet argument.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[George Purvis]

Copy of the S. Carolina law passed in 1836 deeding Sumter to the government​

​

Committee on Federal RelationsIn the House of Representatives, December 31st, 1836​

"The Committee on Federal relations, to which was referred the Governor's message, relating to the site of Fort Sumter, in the harbour of Charleston, and the report of the Committee on Federal Relations from the Senate on the same subject, beg leave to Report by Resolution:

"Resolved, That this state do cede to the United States, all the right, title and claim of South Carolina to the site of Fort Sumter and the requisite quantity of adjacent territory, Provided, That all processes, civil and criminal issued under the authority of this State, or any officer thereof, shall and may be served and executed upon the same, and any person there being who may be implicated by law; and that the said land, site and structures enumerated, shall be forever exempt from liability to pay any tax to this state.​

"Also resolved: That the State shall extinguish the claim, if any valid claim there be, of any individuals under the authority of this State, to the land hereby ceded.​

"Also resolved, That the Attorney-General be instructed to investigate the claims of Wm. Laval and others to the site of Fort Sumter, and adjacent land contiguous thereto; and if he shall be of the opinion that these parties have a legal title to the said land, that Generals Hamilton and Hayne and James L. Pringle, Thomas Bennett and Ker. Boyce, Esquires, be appointed Commissioners on behalf of the State, to appraise the value thereof. If the Attorney-General should be of the opinion that the said title is not legal and valid, that he proceed by seire facius of other proper legal proceedings to have the same avoided; and that the Attorney-General and the said Commissioners report to the Legislature at its next session.​

"Resolved, That this House to agree. Ordered that it be sent to the Senate for concurrence. By order of the House:​

"T. W. Glover, C. H. R."​

"In Senate, December 21st, 1836​

"Resolved, that the Senate do concur. Ordered that it be returned to the House of Representatives, By order:

Jacob Warly, C. S.​

I have a scan of this doc. It does not nullify the preexisting conditions. And also ---

"Immediately upon the secession of the State, the convention of South Carolina deputed three distinguished citizens of that State – Robert W. Barnwell, James H. Adams, and James L. Orr – to proceed to Washington, "to treat with the Government of the United States for the delivery of the forts, magazines, lighthouses, and other real estate, with their appurtenances, within the limits of South Carolina, and also for an apportionment of the public debt, and for a division of all other property held by the Government of the United States, as agent of the confederated States, of which South Carolina was recently a member; and generally to negotiate as to all other measures and arrangements proper to be made and adopted in the existing relation of the parties, and for the continuance of peace and amity between this Commonwealth and the Government at Washington."

The commissioners, in the discharge of the duty entrusted to them arrived in Washington on December 26th. Before they could communicate with the President, however – indeed, on the morning after their arrival – they were startled, and the whole country electrified, by the news that, during the previous night, Major [Robert] Anderson had "secretly dismantled Fort Moultrie," spiked his guns, burned his gun carriages, and removed his command to Fort Sumter, which occupied a more commanding position in the harbor. This movement changed the whole aspect of affairs.

It was considered by the government and people of South Carolina as a violation of the implied pledge of a maintenance of the status quo; the remaining forts and other public property were at once taken possession of by the State; the condition of public feeling became greatly exacerbated. An interview between the President and the commissioners was followed by a sharp correspondence, which was terminated on January 1, 1861, by the return to the commissioners of their final communication, with an endorsement stating that it was of such a character that the President declined to receive it. The negotiations were thus abruptly broken off.

[In their final letter to Buchanan, the commissioners had stated] "For the last sixty days, you have had in Charleston Harbor not force enough to hold the forts against an equal enemy. Two of them were empty; one of those two, the most important in the harbor. It could have been taken at any time. Scarcely had the commissioners left [Charleston for Washington], than Major Anderson waged war. No other words will describe this action. It was not a peaceful change from one fort to another; it was a hostile act in the highest sense – one only justified in the presence of a superior enemy and in imminent peril. This was war.

What the State did was in simple self-defense; for this act, with all its attending circumstances, was as much war as firing a volley…so that, when the first gun shall be fired, there will have been, on your part, one continuous, consistent series of actions commencing in a demonstration essentially warlike, supported by regular reinforcement, and terminating in defeat or victory. By your course you have probably rendered civil war inevitable. Be it so. If you choose to force this issue upon us, the State of South Carolina will accept it, and relying upon Him who is the God of justice as well as the God of hosts, will endeavor to perform the great duty which lies before her, hopefully, bravely, and thoroughly.

Our mission was one for negotiation and peace, and your note leaving us without hope of a withdrawal of troops from Fort Sumter, or of the restoration of the status quo existing at the time of our arrival, and intimating, as we think, your determination to reinforce the garrison in the harbor of Charleston, we respectfully inform you that we propose returning to Charleston on to-morrow afternoon. "

(The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, Volume I, Jefferson Davis, DaCapo Press, 1990, pp. 182-183; 517-518)

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

 

[Battalion]

Copy of the S. Carolina law passed in 1836 deeding Sumter to the government​

​

Committee on Federal RelationsIn the House of Representatives, December 31st, 1836​

"The Committee on Federal relations, to which was referred the Governor's message, relating to the site of Fort Sumter, in the harbour of Charleston, and the report of the Committee on Federal Relations from the Senate on the same subject, beg leave to Report by Resolution:

"Resolved, That this state do cede to the United States, all the right, title and claim of South Carolina to the site of Fort Sumter and the requisite quantity of adjacent territory, Provided, That all processes, civil and criminal issued under the authority of this State, or any officer thereof, shall and may be served and executed upon the same, and any person there being who may be implicated by law; and that the said land, site and structures enumerated, shall be forever exempt from liability to pay any tax to this state.​

"Also resolved: That the State shall extinguish the claim, if any valid claim there be, of any individuals under the authority of this State, to the land hereby ceded.​

"Also resolved, That the Attorney-General be instructed to investigate the claims of Wm. Laval and others to the site of Fort Sumter, and adjacent land contiguous thereto; and if he shall be of the opinion that these parties have a legal title to the said land, that Generals Hamilton and Hayne and James L. Pringle, Thomas Bennett and Ker. Boyce, Esquires, be appointed Commissioners on behalf of the State, to appraise the value thereof. If the Attorney-General should be of the opinion that the said title is not legal and valid, that he proceed by seire facius of other proper legal proceedings to have the same avoided; and that the Attorney-General and the said Commissioners report to the Legislature at its next session.​

"Resolved, That this House to agree. Ordered that it be sent to the Senate for concurrence. By order of the House:​

"T. W. Glover, C. H. R."​

"In Senate, December 21st, 1836​

"Resolved, that the Senate do concur. Ordered that it be returned to the House of Representatives, By order:

Jacob Warly, C. S.​

This action was to clear title, not invalidate prior agreements.

 

[wilber6150]

That is nice but quite incomplete A ggod friend of mine has reserached Fort Sumter for years and this is the list he provides (Used with Permission)


The following list embraces the names, with armaments and troops, of Lincoln's supply fleet dispatched from New York and Washington to Charleston harbor, for the relief of Fort Sumter:-

Vessels of War
Steam sloop-of-war Pawnee, Captain S. C. Rowan, 10 guns and 200 men. The Pawnee sailed from Washington, with sealed orders, on the morning of Saturday, April 6.
Steam sloop-of-war Powhatan, Captain E. D. Porter, 11 guns and 275 men. The Powhatan sailed from the Brookyln Navy Yard on Saturday afternoon April 6.
Revenue cutter Harriet Lane, Captain J. Faunce, 5 guns and 96 men. On Saturday, April 6, the Harriet Lane exchanged her revenue flag for the United States navy flag, denoting her transfer to the Government naval service, and sailed suddenly on last Monday morning, with sealed orders.

The Steam Transports
Atlantic, 358 troops, composed of Companies A and M of the Second artillery, Companies C and H of the Second infantry, and Company A of sappers and miners from West Point. The Atlantic sailed from the steam at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning last, April 7.
Baltic, 160 troops, composed of Companies C and D, recruits, from Governor's and Bedloe's islands. The Baltic sailed from Quarantine at 7o'clock on Tuesday morning last, April 9.
Illinois, 300 troops, composed of Companies B, E, F, G and H, and a detachment from Company D, all recruits from Governor's and Bedloe's Islands, together with two companies of the Second infantry, from Fort Hamilton. The Illinois sailed from Quarantine on Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock.

The Steamtugs
Two steamtugs, with a Government official on each, bearing sealed dispatches, were also sent. The Yankee left New York on Monday evening, 8th, and the Uncle Ben on Tuesday night.

The Launches
Nearly thirty of these boats-whose services are most useful in effecting a landing of troops over shoal water, and for attacking a discharging battery when covered with sand and gunny bags- have been taken out by the Powhatan and by the steam transports Atlantic, Baltic and Illinois.

Recapitulation
Vessels Guns Men
Sloop-of-war Pawnee 10 200
Sloop-of-war Powhatan 11 275
Cutter Harriet Lane 5 96
Steam Transport Atlantic 353
Steam Transport Baltic 160
Steam Transport Illinois 300
Steamtug Yankee Ordinary Crew
Steamtug Uncle Ben Ordinary Crew
Total number of vessels 8
Total number of guns (for marine service) 26
Total number of men and troops 1,380

It is understood that several transports are soon to be chartered, and dispatched to Charleston with troops and supplies.
________________________
Those ships that were assigned specifically to Charleston.
The ships assigned were the steam sloop-of-war USS Pawnee, steam sloop-of-war USS Powhatan, transporting motorized launches and about 300 sailors (secretly removed from the Charleston fleet to join in the forced reenforcement of Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Fla.), armed screw steamer USS Pochaontas, Revenue Cutter USS Harriet Lane, steamer Baltic transporting about 200 troops, composed of companies C and D of the 2nd U.S. Artillery, and three hired tug boats. The rest of the ships listed in the New York paper went to Pensacola.

Sorta gets away from the "unarmed supply" fleet argument.

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

First, who said it was an unarmed supply fleet? There were sailing into hostile waters into range of guns that had twice fired on ships flying the Union flag. It would have been foolish not to send armed ships to accompany the supplies...The Powhatten was divereted from the Fox expedition si its men and launches should not be in the above list..Why don't you compare that to the armed forces the CSA had in Charleston.....

 

[wilber6150]

I have a scan of this doc. It does not nullify the preexisting conditions. And also ---

"Immediately upon the secession of the State, the convention of South Carolina deputed three distinguished citizens of that State – Robert W. Barnwell, James H. Adams, and James L. Orr – to proceed to Washington, "to treat with the Government of the United States for the delivery of the forts, magazines, lighthouses, and other real estate, with their appurtenances, within the limits of South Carolina, and also for an apportionment of the public debt, and for a division of all other property held by the Government of the United States, as agent of the confederated States, of which South Carolina was recently a member; and generally to negotiate as to all other measures and arrangements proper to be made and adopted in the existing relation of the parties, and for the continuance of peace and amity between this Commonwealth and the Government at Washington."

The commissioners, in the discharge of the duty entrusted to them arrived in Washington on December 26th. Before they could communicate with the President, however – indeed, on the morning after their arrival – they were startled, and the whole country electrified, by the news that, during the previous night, Major [Robert] Anderson had "secretly dismantled Fort Moultrie," spiked his guns, burned his gun carriages, and removed his command to Fort Sumter, which occupied a more commanding position in the harbor. This movement changed the whole aspect of affairs.

It was considered by the government and people of South Carolina as a violation of the implied pledge of a maintenance of the status quo; the remaining forts and other public property were at once taken possession of by the State; the condition of public feeling became greatly exacerbated. An interview between the President and the commissioners was followed by a sharp correspondence, which was terminated on January 1, 1861, by the return to the commissioners of their final communication, with an endorsement stating that it was of such a character that the President declined to receive it. The negotiations were thus abruptly broken off.

[In their final letter to Buchanan, the commissioners had stated] "For the last sixty days, you have had in Charleston Harbor not force enough to hold the forts against an equal enemy. Two of them were empty; one of those two, the most important in the harbor. It could have been taken at any time. Scarcely had the commissioners left [Charleston for Washington], than Major Anderson waged war. No other words will describe this action. It was not a peaceful change from one fort to another; it was a hostile act in the highest sense – one only justified in the presence of a superior enemy and in imminent peril. This was war.

What the State did was in simple self-defense; for this act, with all its attending circumstances, was as much war as firing a volley…so that, when the first gun shall be fired, there will have been, on your part, one continuous, consistent series of actions commencing in a demonstration essentially warlike, supported by regular reinforcement, and terminating in defeat or victory. By your course you have probably rendered civil war inevitable. Be it so. If you choose to force this issue upon us, the State of South Carolina will accept it, and relying upon Him who is the God of justice as well as the God of hosts, will endeavor to perform the great duty which lies before her, hopefully, bravely, and thoroughly.

Our mission was one for negotiation and peace, and your note leaving us without hope of a withdrawal of troops from Fort Sumter, or of the restoration of the status quo existing at the time of our arrival, and intimating, as we think, your determination to reinforce the garrison in the harbor of Charleston, we respectfully inform you that we propose returning to Charleston on to-morrow afternoon. "

(The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, Volume I, Jefferson Davis, DaCapo Press, 1990, pp. 182-183; 517-518)

George Purvis
http://southernheritageadvancementpreservationeducation.com/page.php?4

Anderson felt threatened and thought that it was safer to move his force to another fort under his command he had the authorization to do so he did..Whats your point?