Thomas Wright a young teenager starts his Diary in July 1858 America. Northern Kentucky, Mason county near the Town of Dover and Lees Creak. across the Ohio River the town of Ripley Ohio. Hot bed of Abolitionist movement. between befriending a slave...
Most believe Lincoln, caused the first shots, of the War. Before Lincoln even took Office, the Firewind of War had sparked, not blazing but sparked.
Buchanan, did nothing to stop, South Carolina from seceding, his State of the Union message said it all. Although he was Pro-slavery it being part of the Constitution.
Buchanan thought it illegal to secede from the Union, he also said legally the Government could do nothing. He refused to resupply Fort Moultrie in Charleston, waiting till South Carolina was prepared and ready stop a resupply.
The piece convention led by Virginia on February 4th made up of 131 persons from 21 states. Convenes in Washington, D.C. in hopes if finding a compromise. Buchanan basically said he didn't recognize them as nothing more than people. Not leaders of a state. Former President John Tyler is among the many people in attendance.
No comprise was found, it is said Lincoln wouldn't of supported any compromise. This I am not certain, Lincoln only wanted the Union to stay together.
I think maybe some compromise could of been found. That is my opinion only, most historians believe not.
The Star of the West tried to resupply where the Garrison moved to Fort Sumter, From Moultrie. Was fired upon and turned back from the harbor. My understanding is she made a few attempts.
This took decades to come to a head, the only State I believe that would not of compromised was South Carolina, she felt embattled for years. Wanting to secede in 1854, holding off because no other State would go with her, and some compromise was found. This time she was done.
Buchanan did nothing, but wait for Lincoln to take office. Sure he was on his way out. One quick move to resupply Anderson and his garrison may of averted slowed the events enough to come to some agreement with rest of the south. Was It Buchanan's fault no this was coming hard and fast. He could have tried something. Whether it worked is a different story.
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Moultrie - Sumter
December 26, 1860 Major Robert Anderson in charge of the Garrison at Fort Moultrie, moved them to the unfinished Fort Sumter.
Anderson had been pressing the War Department for orders since he took command in Mid-November.
All he had been told was he could defend himself if attacked. Secretary of War John B Floyd sent Major Don Carlos Buell to Charleston.
"A broad explanation of general policy rather than explicit orders." Were given to Buell verbally.
December 11th 1860
Buell visited the Garrison after making an appraisal of the situation, Buell issued his orders in writing to Anderson.
Do not do anything to provoke the people of Charleston, but, if attacked he could move his men to which ever Fort was most defensible. You are also authorized to take similar steps whenever you have tangible evidence of a design to proceed to a hostile act.
Anderson interpreted his orders, knowing the Militia of South Carolina and Charleston were getting more agitated by the day. After dark on the 26th of December, Anderson started his evacuation of Fort Moultrie. The wives and children of the enlisted men were transported to Fort Johnson, on the south side of the harbor. Two small companies making up the Garrison boarded boats for Fort Sumter.
Anderson's move started a major crisis, South Carolina sent a group of commissioners to Washington, D.C. to negotiate for the Charleston Forts and Arsenal. They demanded Anderson return to Fort Moultrie. Buchanan almost capitulated, after a few cabinet meetings, he sent them on their away, and decided to strengthen Fort Sumter.
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Fort Moultrie Sullivan Island Charleston, SC
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Monday, March 4, 1861
Lincoln's Inaugural Address
Fellow-Citizens of the United States:
In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President" before he enters on the execution of this office"
I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement.
Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of the Republican Administration their piece and personal security are to be endangered. There has never has been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and had been open to their inspection. It is in nearly all the published speeches of him who now address you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that- I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so.
There is much controversy about delivering up fugitive from service or labor. The clause I now read is plainly written in the Constitution as any other of it's provisions:
No person held to service or labor in one State, under laws thereof, escaping into another, shall be delivered up on claim of the party whom such service or labor may be due.
In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can not have conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, , defend it"
I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hear that one all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
Well that wasn't the speech in it's entirety the first four paragraphs and the last two. Next chapters will be more history, just so you can have the feel of what is going on. Battle of Fort Sumter, then on with the life of Thomas.
Hope all enjoyed the little lesson on the Government and what is leading up to hard times for the United States and Thomas. Thanks for reading comment vote if you please.
