At this time, it maybe easier to begin with just the simple archive of data, sorted by catagory and crossed linked to related data. So instead of determining the questions for now, what would be the best catagories to sort the data by? For example...
Catagories...
1. The Players
a. Major Anderson
b. Col. Gardner
c. Governor Pickens
d. .....
2. The Events
a. Secession
b. Evacuation of Fort Moultrie
c. Occupation of Fort Sumter
d. ....
3. The Ships
a. USS Pawnee
b. USRC Harriet Lane
c. SS Nashville
d. ....
4. The Forts
a. Fort Moultrie
b. Fort Sumter
c. Castle Pickney
d. ....
5. The Media
a. New York Times
b. New York Herald
c. Charleston Papers
d. ....
6. Day to Day Activities
a. Supply
b. Mail
c. Visitors
d. ....
Each entry will be referenced. Photographs and maps added to entries.