March 14, 1861 (Thursday)

Courage

President Lincoln submitted an idea to his cabinet to re-enforce Fort Sumter.  He asked the cabinet members to give a response in writing as to what should be done.  Almost unanimously they said it was best to surrender the fort and withdraw the soldiers back to the Union.  The Postmaster General, Montgomery Blair vehemently disagreed and thought that Fort Sumter should be re-enforced.  Here are a couple of quotes:

From the Charleston Mercury:  "Sumter is to be ours without a fight!  To those who have troubled themselves with vague fears of war on a large scale...the relief will be as great as the apprehensions have been grievous."

From Montgomery Blair: "The surrender of Sumter would be the surrender of the Union.  Every new conquest made by the rebels strengthens their hands at home and their claim to recognition as an independent people abroad.  The rebellion was checked in 1833 by the promptitude of the President in taking measures which made it manifest that it could not be attempted with impunity, and [the current rebellion] has grown to its present formidable proportions only because similar measures were not taken...it was not only Buchanan's weakness the rebels relied for success.  They for the most part believe that the Northern men are deficient in the courage necessary to maintain the Government ... No men or people have so many difficulties as those whose firmness is doubted."   The President was impressed.  ("A Letter from the Postmaster", by Jamie Malanowski, Disunion--New York Times, March 13, 2011.)

Another account at "Initial Problems at Forts Pickens and Sumter," Tulane University, History Department, March 11-12, 1861.)

"The surrender of Sumter was 'virtually a surrender of the Union.' and, unless done under absolute military necessity, constituted treason."


From Civil War Daily Gazette, "Lincoln Tries to Sell the Fox Plan," March 13, 1861.

From "A Diary From Dixie," Daily Observations from the Civil War, March 13, 2011.     "Now this, they say, is positive:  'Fort Sumter is to be released and we are to have no war.' "    Click on the link above to get all the details of her diary for this day...lots of talk about Lincoln.

And lastly, "We have the rascals on the hip," The American Civil War, March 14, 1861.  Report written by Southern Commissioner Forsyth about developments in Washington about Fort Sumter.

"...they believe, and we encourage the pleasant thought, that in case of war their precious persons would not be safe in Washington.  With prudence, wisdom, and firmness we have the rascals on the hip."