"that seizure of Southern forts would precede secession, that a policy of moderation and firmness for the next twelve months would perhaps prevent secession, and that although he had no political interests he preferred the Bell-Everett ticket."

Looks like old Winfield was pretty shrewd, but didn't give the Confederation much credit for being serious. It may well be this was where the idea for the set up at Sumter came from after all. Sooo, if that is so, who was the puppet and who was the puppetmaster? Did Anderson take the words to heart and act on his own or have a higher authority mention it? The Union was at this same time stepping up the supplies at other forts. Maybe they hadn't decided where to cause the trigger to be pulled yet.
Pam