Hey everyone, welcome to the 34th episode of our Civil War podcast, I'm Rich.

And I'm Tracy, hello y'all, thanks for tuning into the podcast.

We left off last time with President Abraham Lincoln having finally made the decision to

send a relief expedition to Fort Sumter.

To that end on April 4th, 1861, Lincoln ordered Gustavus Fox to repair ships for that mission.

The president then sent a note to Major Robert Anderson, urging him to hold out, if possible,

until the relief expeditions arrival on April 11th or 12th, but authorizing surrender if

Anderson deemed it necessary to save his men.

Lincoln also sent a very carefully worded note to Governor Pickens of South Carolina, saying

that the naval expedition was merely delivering needed provisions to Sumter, and that no attempt

to land reinforcements, arms, or ammunition would be made unless the relief mission was fired

upon.

In the last show, you guys will recall how we stressed the fact that with his clever gambit

to send in provisions only, and to give advance notice that that was his intent, Lincoln

was essentially telling Jefferson Davis, heads, eye, wind, tails, you lose.

Because if the southerners allowed the supplies to go through, the north would win an important

symbolic victory, while if the south fired on the relief expedition, then on it would

rest the blame for starting the war.

We should point out that back in 1861, people questioned Lincoln's motives and purposes

in the Sumter resupply plan, and since then, historians over the years have also debated

Lincoln's intentions.

You don't have to look far, even today, to find those who condemn Lincoln for ruthlessly

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