Mo, my friend that is exactley what the problem was. Kind of like some folks today that look for a reason to complain. The bottom line is that as long as no one is shooting at anyone, lets let the status quo remain. The federals were out gunned no matter where they were in Chaleston, but Sumpter was the easiest place to defend if hostile action was to be taken. I would hate to think that I had to stay at Moultrie if I had to defend it. No attack on Sumpter and there would be no reason at that time for any war by anyone. Attack Sumpter and you give the Administration powers that they could only have that way. From the Northern point of view,if they wanted to really attack the south that was the best thing that could happen. There was a lot of dissension in the north before that but now they were in lock step and there was only going to be one conclusion to the whole thing. And as they say the rest is history.
FC