Dear List Members;
I want to mention long before Fort Sumter's attack by Confederate forces; the progress was initiated by South Carolina's Governor alone until the CSA as a provisional government and the election of Jefferson Davis not fully consummated so, Davis came on the tail end of the action, seized the responsibility/glory/acknowledgement from there on. It was in that space of time; Robert Toombs gave warnings as to the folly of attacking a fort. But, Davis did have time to rein in the runaway ferver of Beauregard and the Government of South Carolina; if peace was the mission as claimed by Davis; I would think he would grasp any opportunity given for peace.
Also, what shouldn't be ignored though; but--often it does; was the systematic stealing of US Government arsenal properties and contents; pay-rolls and funds. Remember the bank for the US Government was separate from States, Counties and Townships. You had independent banking systems; but not backed by gold like the Federal Government.
Technically, for me; this was every justification for Federal Governmental response--well before firing on Fort Sumter, by South Carolina forces under the authority of the CSA's provisional government.
Those to whom conspired within the Federal Government in the Buchanan Administration; as to topple the Federal Governmental system; had inside knowledge of all was going on; as instigators. So, for me the CSA had a huge advantage of intelligence; especially Robert Toombs; to which is beyond me why Davis and the entire collective states creating the CSA; fire on Fort Sumpter.
Virginia didn't have their 'dog' in the fight and I'm sure if things didn't go as they did; Virginia may have remained neutral and the entire American Civil War might have taken on a new direction.
I begin to wonder; if Secretary of War; to President Buchanan -- John "Buchanan" Floyd; representing Virginia as a governor, a polititan did not conspire with the "Cotton States" as to provoke Virginia into Civil War against the Federal Government. Virginia was known to be extremely prepared with an excellent militia and arsenal system. And; was accused by the North; by tracking the goods and Floyd's signature--well; he sure is an embarrassment. He resigned in 1860; given a Brigadier General rank in May of 1861 (When Virginia joined in secession); only to be relieved of command for deserting his command at Nashville, Tennessee in 1862.
Floyd, in watching how things unfold really was the major conspirator; he had motive, opportunity, had power, had influence, had the position to influence the President, fellow members of the Government and Cabniet of Buchanan's administration. But; the resignation seemingly happens when the accountability of Governmental properties, treasuries, etc; started a paper trail link to him. Each lame duck President gives a summary of accounts in all affairs of Government to be passed to the new President. This audit might have been the spark of Floyd's resignation--to cover criminal activity more than the issue of state's rights and or the 'cause.'
Personally, if I knew Floyd to be such a opportunist and then a coward; I might have (as President of the CSA) might have taken a different course. But, then as now; for Floyd's true colors to show; it would have been after the fact; so poor President Davis was duped as I would have been, if I was in Davis' shoes.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
I want to mention long before Fort Sumter's attack by Confederate forces; the progress was initiated by South Carolina's Governor alone until the CSA as a provisional government and the election of Jefferson Davis not fully consummated so, Davis came on the tail end of the action, seized the responsibility/glory/acknowledgement from there on. It was in that space of time; Robert Toombs gave warnings as to the folly of attacking a fort. But, Davis did have time to rein in the runaway ferver of Beauregard and the Government of South Carolina; if peace was the mission as claimed by Davis; I would think he would grasp any opportunity given for peace.
Also, what shouldn't be ignored though; but--often it does; was the systematic stealing of US Government arsenal properties and contents; pay-rolls and funds. Remember the bank for the US Government was separate from States, Counties and Townships. You had independent banking systems; but not backed by gold like the Federal Government.
Technically, for me; this was every justification for Federal Governmental response--well before firing on Fort Sumter, by South Carolina forces under the authority of the CSA's provisional government.
Those to whom conspired within the Federal Government in the Buchanan Administration; as to topple the Federal Governmental system; had inside knowledge of all was going on; as instigators. So, for me the CSA had a huge advantage of intelligence; especially Robert Toombs; to which is beyond me why Davis and the entire collective states creating the CSA; fire on Fort Sumpter.
Virginia didn't have their 'dog' in the fight and I'm sure if things didn't go as they did; Virginia may have remained neutral and the entire American Civil War might have taken on a new direction.
I begin to wonder; if Secretary of War; to President Buchanan -- John "Buchanan" Floyd; representing Virginia as a governor, a polititan did not conspire with the "Cotton States" as to provoke Virginia into Civil War against the Federal Government. Virginia was known to be extremely prepared with an excellent militia and arsenal system. And; was accused by the North; by tracking the goods and Floyd's signature--well; he sure is an embarrassment. He resigned in 1860; given a Brigadier General rank in May of 1861 (When Virginia joined in secession); only to be relieved of command for deserting his command at Nashville, Tennessee in 1862.
Floyd, in watching how things unfold really was the major conspirator; he had motive, opportunity, had power, had influence, had the position to influence the President, fellow members of the Government and Cabniet of Buchanan's administration. But; the resignation seemingly happens when the accountability of Governmental properties, treasuries, etc; started a paper trail link to him. Each lame duck President gives a summary of accounts in all affairs of Government to be passed to the new President. This audit might have been the spark of Floyd's resignation--to cover criminal activity more than the issue of state's rights and or the 'cause.'
Personally, if I knew Floyd to be such a opportunist and then a coward; I might have (as President of the CSA) might have taken a different course. But, then as now; for Floyd's true colors to show; it would have been after the fact; so poor President Davis was duped as I would have been, if I was in Davis' shoes.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf