That is all correct.

But more to my point is, did Anderson or Foster either one have to make those "improvements" which would give the impression to the people of Charleston that the garrison at Fort Moultrie were making preparation to kill as many of the people of South Carolina as they could if they were attacked? Making military improvements hardly seem to be a very friendly overture. It may be a militarily wise move, but is it very diplomatic?

To me, those improvement were sending the wrong message to the people of Charleston. They were simple adding to the growing atmosphere of hostilities and enflaming the situation. Especially in the 6 weeks they were doing this between the election of Lincoln and the passing of the Ordiance of Secession.

I wonder how much these "preparations" maybe pushed South Carolina into calling the secession convention? Maybe just a little? I know if I see someone putting on a pair of Brassknuckles, I am going to wonder what his intentions are?

What would have happened if Anderson had requested the Governor that the South Carolina militia be called up to act as a buffer and protect the Union garrison within Fort Moultire? Would that have defused the situation? Just what did Anderson expect that he could do with his small garrison without support except to fight a suicide battle either at Fort Moultrie or Fort Sumpter?

South Carolina knew that also. They weren't dummies. They knew that until the United States could mount a sizable relief expedition they at least for the time being controlled the situation. In fact Anderson by moving to Fort Sumpter made a tactical mistake. In doing so he gave the South Carolinian Gunners a clear field of fire. An Assualt on Fort Moultrie would have been much more costly for the South Carolinians.

The thing is Anderson knew that he could not be resupplied by sea if he remained in Fort Moultrie and the South Carolinians held Fort Sumpter. That is why he moved. Not because of a non existant threat.

The question now becomes did Anderson act on his own authority or did he act on verbal orders from someone higher up the chain of command? Since verbal orders are what they are and are given for the expressed reason of not having them recorded we will never know for certain.