alternatehistory.com

I just started reading an excellent military history of the US Civil War, and it claims in the opening chapters that the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States was afraid South Carolina would attack Fort Sumter without direct authorization. Given South Carolina's long-standing independent streak, it was not foolish to think that the state could possibly prove troublesome to the new Confederate government as well. IOTL, the Provisional Congress sent P.G.T. Beauregard to organize the South Carolina militias, which did not attack until prompted by Jefferson Davis' cabinet.

By the time the attack began, South Carolina had technically been independent for six months. Fort Sumter's garrison was constantly harassed during this period and Governor Pickens had repeatedly insisted that the fort was now South Carolina property.

What if, before March 1 (when General Beauregard assumed command of the South Carolina militias), Pickens decides to act on his own and orders an attack on the Fort (or merely accepts the attack when it takes place)? Would Lincoln still issue his order for 75,000 volunteers? What would be the reaction of the Provisional Congress?
Top