What was the Northern view on Fort Sumter prior to its surrender?

Answer 1

President Lincoln was determined to keep Fort Sumter as a Federal fort. He authorized a relief expedition, to be headed by the former naval officer Gustavus Fox to organize it but never gave an order to launch it. General in Chief Winfield Scott advised Lincoln to have the fort evacuated to prevent any armed conflicts. Lincoln had to think about the issue from several viewpoints. One major concern was the reaction of states in the Upper South. While Lincoln carefully examined his options, the Northern press expressed outrage at the governments lack of action. The Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles understood why Lincoln had to hesitate.

As a measure to avoid an armed conflict, Lincoln sent a messenger to the governor of South Carolina, Francis Pickens, on April 6, 1861 asking him to delay violence and let a supply ship of non-military items to help the surrounded fort. Messages were exchanged between Pickens, Jefferson Davis and General PT Beauregard. When the discussions ended, the order from Davis was to assault the fort if it would not surrender.