WI Union Attacks First

What it says on the tin, lets say the attack is around Fort Sumter OTL, but instead of the CSA launching an attack, the US attacks a southern coastal town, leading to high amount of deaths among the Southern civilians side.

Is this going to affect which states secede, and the international communities view on the south?
 

TFSmith121

Banned
What would the strategic, operational, or tactical point

What it says on the tin, lets say the attack is around Fort Sumter OTL, but instead of the CSA launching an attack, the US attacks a southern coastal town, leading to high amount of deaths among the Southern civilians side. Is this going to affect which states secede, and the international communities view on the south?

What would the strategic, operational, or tactical point of such an attack be?

Pure evilz?:rolleyes:

Lincoln and his administration had no reason to act first, and in fact, took great pains to not put US forces into a position where they would be the first to fire.

Best,
 
What would the strategic, operational, or tactical point of such an attack be?

Pure evilz?:rolleyes:

Lincoln and his administration had no reason to act first, and in fact, took great pains to not put US forces into a position where they would be the first to fire.

Best,

I was merely asking what the outcome and affects of the event would be, not what would cause them. For this scenario however lets say a rash Union commander orders the attack
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Who would said rash Union commander be? And where?

I was merely asking what the outcome and affects of the event would be, not what would cause them. For this scenario however lets say a rash Union commander orders the attack

Who would said rash Union commander be? And where are they stationed?

Realize that before the rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter in April, 1861, there were all of two locations where US forces held a position within earshot of rebel territory - Fort Pickens in Florida, and Sumter.

Sumter, of course, was commanded by Robert Anderson; Pickens by Adam J. Slemmer. Neither was, in any way, what one would describe as "rash."

Lincoln et al were very cautious during the secession winter, for obvious reasons.

Best,
 
Top