Hi Andy,
I do not think any intelligent man ever wanted armed conflict. There is no doubt that Lincoln knew what his actions would generate. He may "not" have wanted it but he knew what his actions would bring and he provoked it to get his "first shot by the enemy" plan. As I have stated before I am not sure who outsmarted whom, as both Lincoln and Davis got what they wanted & needed............Lincoln got his (First shot by the enemy), Davis got ( The much needed upper South)................... In all honestly with 700,000+ deaths, I don't think anyone was smart.
January 9th 1861.............
The Star of the West was fired on by Cadets from the Citadel attempting to resupply Fort Sumter........................Lincoln knew this..........and then opted to send in supplies.
Caleb Smith..................Felt it would provoke a Civil War and
it would not be wise under all the circumstances to attempt to provision Fort Sumpter
Edward Bates......................Felt it would be better to evacuate
than to be an active party in beginning a Civil War.
Salmon P. Chase.....................Felt it would inflame a Civil War..........
If the attempt will so inflame civil war as to involve an immediate necessity for the enlistment of armies and the expenditure of millions, I cannot advise it in the existing circumstances of the country
Simon Cameron.................Believed the attempt would initiate a bloody and protracted conflict.........
if, with all the lights before me, and in the face of so many distinguished military authorities on the other side, I did not believe that the attempt to carry it into effect would initiate a bloody and protracted conflict.
William H. Seward..............Felt it would provoke a war...............
I reply, no, I would not initiate a war to regain a useless and unnecessary position on the soil of the seceding States. I would not provoke war in any way now.
Stephen Hurlbut, Lincoln's "agent"....................Believed it would bring on the worst and informed Lincoln to be prepared for the worst...................
"I cannot close without repeating to the President, that this is a time to expect and be prepared for the worst.
Orville Hickman...................
He "Lincoln" himself conceived the idea, and proposed sending supplies, without an attempt to reinforce giving notice of the fact to Gov. Pickens of S. C. The plan succeeded. They attacked Sumter—it fell, and thus, did more service than it otherwise could.
Lincoln replied to Trumbull, in private and confidential ...............
"The tug has to come & better now, than anytime hereafter..............
Lincoln replied to Kellogg, in private and confidential............
"The tug has to come & better now than later.
Lincoln may not have wanted an armed conflict, but his actions provoked it. He need the Confederacy to fire that first shot and he provoked it and got his needed action from the Confederacy....................
Provoking a war that kills 7000,000+ is about as bad as wanting an armed conflict.................Neither side was clean in this war or it's causes.
View attachment 83008
Respectfully,
William