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Few people know that the first shots of the ACW were not fired on Fort Sumter but rather a vessel, the Star of the West, trying to resupply it (January 9th 1861). Now in OTL the ship, carrying supplies and reinforcements, turned back after being hit twice by South Carolinan batteries.

But What if...

One of the shells from the South Carolinan batteries critically hit the Star of the West, perhaps in her boiler room. The explosion resulting from the ignition of the coal dust, touches off stored ammunition and powder thus sinking the ship with all hands (maybe a few survive).

Now the sinking of the Star of the West and the deaths of those onboard would undoubtedly serve as the catalyst for the American Civil War. James Buchanan would be forced both by the people and his new cabinet (now full of staunch Unionists) to forcibly bring South Carolina back into the Union in response to this incident. I can't really see him backing down from this one.

My guess is he calls for militia like Lincoln (though fewer due to only having to bring down SC). Said call results in the slave states seceding and the American Civil War starting a couple months ahead of schedule. How does this affect the war itself? Is Buchanan's reputation/legacy affected in any way?
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