[ "and even at this moment, while we are writing, it is more than probable, from the tenor of your letter, that re-enforcements are hurrying on to the conflict, so that when the first gun shall be fired there will have been, on your part, one continuous, consistent series of actions commencing in a demonstration essentially warlike, supported by regular re-enforcement, and terminating in defeat or victory. And all this without the slightest provocation; for, among the many things which you have said, there is one thing you cannot say, you have waited anxiously for news from the seat of war, in hopes that delay would furnish some excuse for this precipitation. But this tangible evidence of a design to proceed to a hostile act on the part of the authorities of South Carolina (which is the only justification of Major Anderson) you are forced to admit has not yet been alleged. But you have decided. You have resolved to hold by force what you have obtained through our misplaced confidence, and by refusing to disavow the action of Major Anderson, have converted his violation of orders into a legitimate act of your executive authority." ]
I believe this is pretty much the answer to the question on what made the Southern states think there would not be peace when they left the Union. Not only at Sumter, but Pickens. Slemmer had done the same thing at Barrancas that Anderson did at Moultrie. How else could they interpret the message? Where else were these cannon spikings being carried out?
I believe it was around Jan.9 that Slemmer began his move to Pickens. That was when Gov. Perry had called the legislators back and intended them to stay until the vote was FOR leaving the Union. S.R. Mallory was here at home or in Tallahassee, [ I need to get the book out tomorrow and reread that part] but he recieved a telegram from Yulee telling him of the order change to send the Powhatten to Pensacola. He told Mallory that they had to hold the forts at all cost. [I found this in 'Pensacola in the Civil War' by George F. Pearce and I'll find the reference notes tomorrow and post them] but with the actions at Sumter by Anderson and knowing there was the same thing happening at Barrancas, the writing was on the wall.
Slemmer was not really expected to move to Pickens because it have been pretty much abandoned for years but I guess he could see the advantage to its location as it related to McRee and Barrancas. It also kept a supply line open from the Gulf to his troops without them having to run the gauntlet to Barrancas where he had been if the Confederate troops were able to inhabit McRee and Pickens. With all of the strategic moves and the thought behind them it's really odd that Slemmer was just 'acting' commandant at that time while the real one was on leave. Could he have had some 'unrecorded' or secret orders to carry out the move?
Placing these events as they happened for both sides, it gives a much clearer picture of the machine being greased and started up in DC. The Union was not being passive and just waiting until the Confederate states made a move. Their actions were more on the 'provoke' side of the list of events. If the Union had NO intention to wage war, they would NOT have spiked the cannons at Moultrie and Barrancas. They would have used caution and not sent out what amounts to engraved invitations to show they were not taking a wait and see track.
Pam