Reply #13: The issue

[sweetapogee]

regarding the ability of certain southern states to leave or be forced to stay in the Union based on the constitution was not settled in early 1861. Lincoln's reasons for intervention was to "quell potential civil unrest" but mainly to protect federal property. And as we all know, the most famous piece of federal property was an unfinished fortification in Charleston Harbor. The military action taken by the State of South Carolina against the United States Army was intended to keep the garrison at Fort Sumter from being re-supplied with the necessities of life such as food and drinking water.

One of my ancestors was Lincoln's envoy to the SC Legislature tasked with the mission to craft an agreement that would allow the fort to be supplied. His last ditch effort was unsuccessful in it's primary mission, the lead and iron started flying soon thereafter. It is however my personal opinion that Lincoln wanted the mission to be a success.

After armed insurrection against the federal government in Charleston SC, the US forces surrendered to the SC troops and the property seized by the state. This gave the Lincoln administration the legal authority to move against those states in succession with the federal government.