"...it was also resolved to notify the Governor of South Carolina that he might expect an attempt would be made to provision the fort, and that if the attempt should not be resisted there would be no effort to throw in men, arms, or ammunition, without further notice, or in case of an attack upon the fort. This notice was accordingly given, whereupon the fort was attacked and bombarded to its fall without even awaiting the arrival of the provisioning expedition." July 4, 1861."

"This notice was accordingly given." Does this not mean the US government told SC that it meant to occupy Fort Sumter?The provisioning mentioned did not include landing of trooops, without such notice. This is pretty plain language. Stan