Seward’s play on April 1, 1861, involved a private meeting with Justice Campbell, who visited the State Department to discuss Governor Pickens’s telegram about the evacuation of Fort Sumter. In this meeting, Secretary Seward prepared a statement for Campbell, revealing that while President Lincoln might consider supplying Fort Sumter, he would first notify Governor Pickens. This announcement left Campbell startled, as he questioned the implications of Seward’s wording, which seemed to suggest a level of indecision or ambiguity in the Union’s stance on the fort. Seward’s attempt to manage the situation was complicated by the broader political climate and the increasing tension between the North and South. This moment revealed the deepening frustration Seward felt, as he tried to balance the demands of the South while still hoping for a peaceful resolution.

Despite Seward’s optimistic reassurances, plans for rescuing Sumter were actively being developed behind the scenes. Seward had hoped for a diplomatic resolution that would allow the fort to be evacuated, buying time for the Union’s recovery. He believed that by doing so, Lincoln could restore peace and perhaps harness pro-Union sentiment in the South. However, Seward also felt that Lincoln was distracted by smaller government issues, making it harder for him to take decisive action. The tension in the cabinet became more apparent as Seward saw the administration’s inability to act quickly or assertively. He felt increasingly isolated in his approach, yet still clung to the hope that Lincoln might allow him to guide the nation through its struggles.

Amid this uncertainty, Seward took a bold step by sending President Lincoln a memorandum titled “Some Thoughts for the President’s Consideration.” In this document, Seward suggested that the Union could evacuate Fort Sumter, retain Fort Pickens, and even consider foreign military conflicts as a diversion to shift focus from internal issues. His proposal indicated a willingness to take drastic measures, including the possibility of war with foreign powers, in an attempt to strengthen the Union’s position. Seward hoped to assert greater control over the administration’s direction, suggesting that more energetic leadership was needed. However, his move to seize the initiative backfired when Lincoln’s response, though polite, made it clear that Seward’s ideas were not aligned with the president’s plans for the nation.

Lincoln’s response, which was never officially sent but was kept for his own records, subtly reaffirmed his commitment to holding Fort Sumter. By keeping his reply to Seward personal and unaddressed, Lincoln communicated that the decision was his to make and that he would take the lead in navigating the crisis. This diplomatic silence, while courteous, demonstrated Lincoln’s resolve to maintain his authority during these turbulent times. The president’s refusal to consider Seward’s proposed war or evacuation plans revealed a deep divide in their strategies. Lincoln’s preference for a more direct, controlled response to the Fort Sumter situation further emphasized the ongoing power struggle within the Union’s leadership.

In the midst of these internal discussions, Justice Campbell privately communicated with Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Campbell assured Davis that Fort Sumter would likely be evacuated, with no supplies sent to reinforce it, based on his interpretation of Seward’s earlier statements. This communication was based on Campbell’s misjudgment of Lincoln’s intentions and his presumption that the Union would back down without resistance. The confidence Campbell showed in his dealings with the Confederacy was rooted in a false belief that Lincoln would not take immediate action. However, this under-the-table exchange raised concerns within Seward’s cabinet, especially with Navy Secretary Gideon Welles, who noted the oddity of the communication between Campbell and Seward, signaling potential disloyalty.

The interactions between Campbell and Seward’s office were perceived as suspect by members of Lincoln’s cabinet, suggesting that Seward may have been compromised. Welles’s comments pointed to a growing sense of unease about Seward’s actions and his ability to represent the Union’s interests in a crisis. Later developments would reveal the depth of the betrayal, as Campbell was appointed by the Confederate government as their assistant secretary of war, confirming suspicions of his allegiance to the South. This episode of intrigue added another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama, highlighting the challenges Lincoln faced in uniting the nation amid rising tensions and internal divisions. The conflict over Fort Sumter and the handling of the Union’s response marked a critical turning point, revealing the intricate power struggles that would shape the course of the Civil War.