"What "amphibious assault" are you talking about? Are you suggesting that Lincoln ordered an amphibious attack upon Charleston?"

Absolutely. G.V. Fox submitted a plan based on operations from the Crimean War, to reenforce Fort Sumter by force. This was approved by President Lincoln. The force planned included armed warships that included sloops of war, a revenue cutter, and the largest side wheel frigate in the Navy the USS Powhatan. The amphibious force on the Powhatan was discribed by Fox as his "fighting force" of 300 armed sailors manning the ships motorized armed launches. Three tugs were to be used to tow the 4th U.S. Artillery, 200 men and their supplies, in launches, to Fort Sumter. The Powhatans "fighting force" was to escort to prevent Confederate vessals form interfering. All this under cover of darkness.

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David Upton