Major Anderson moved into Fort Sumter 5 days after South Carolina repealed their ratification of the US Constitution. He'd begun to notice an escalation of the States patrol boats moving back and forth in the waterway between Moultrie and Sumter. He knew that if SC decided to move men into position they could easily overtake Moultrie. That's why he moved first. One might posit that he was "provoked". So, you, my good FRiend, are wrong again. In fact your whole post was very poorly played.
Anything that damages the mythology you wish to promulgate will cause you to assert that it is "poorly played."
This is an attempt by you to slap a veneer of mock objectivity on your pronouncements, but it doesn't fool anyone.
It is really the content you find objectionable, not how it is presented.
So why was the Powhatan steaming to Florida instead of Charleston where all the other ship's orders said it would be so that they could deliver the supplies?
Why it's almost as if Lincoln wanted those men to starve, because he made no contingency for what the Ships were to do if the Powhatan didn't show up.
Just bobbing out in the ocean they were, waiting for a ship that was never to come.