President James Buchanan's response to the growing crisis was to send the Star of the West, a civilian ship with troops and supplies to relieve Fort Sumter. The decision not to send a US Navy ship was probably to diffuse the situation.
When the ship arrived, Citadel cadets fired on it Jan. 9, 1861, and the ship turned back. Some people still call this the first shots of the war.
That same day, Mississippi seceded and was soon followed by Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. On Feb. 4th, delegates from these states met in Montgomery, Alabama, and formed the Confederate States of America.
The day before President Lincoln was inaugurated, March 3rd, newly commissioned Brig. gen. P.G.T. Beauregard assumed command of all troops around Charleston.
More to Come. --Old B-R'er
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