I've always thought the best statement here was from Lincoln himself: I
would like to have God on my side, but I _have_ to have Kentucky.
On the other hand, I must disagree w/ Dr. Simpson's view of the Sumter
crisis. I think Lincoln outmanuevered Davis. The Federal expedition
was prepared to land only food if the Rebels would have allowed it, and I
believe this was discussed with representatives of South Carolina. Yet
the Rebels opened fire on a fort that was on the verge of being starved
out, rather than allow the approaching expedition to replenish supplies. (Major
Anderson told Beauregard's emissaries that he would soon have to surrender
due to lack of food.) It seems to me that Lincoln manuevered Davis into
the first aggressive act, not the other way around.
Jim Epperson
epperson@math.uah.edu