Storm clouds loomed on April 8 as Captain Fox set out to lead his fleet, confident that the presence of the Powhatan would guarantee a successful mission to Charleston. Having transitioned from Navy service to overseeing a critical military operation, Fox was optimistic that his fleet would soon rendezvous off the coast of Charleston. The tug Uncle Ben departed New York that evening, followed by Fox aboard the Baltic the next morning, expecting to meet up with the rest of the fleet two days later. Fox’s confidence was grounded in the belief that the fleet, with its valuable resources, would play a crucial role in securing victory for the Union.

However, as the Baltic sailed out of New York Harbor, it encountered a powerful Atlantic gale that disrupted Fox’s plans. The storm scattered the vessels, with the Uncle Ben taking refuge in Wilmington, while the Yankee was pushed past Charleston and towards Savannah. The Freeborn, assessing the risk, decided to forgo the expedition entirely, opting to stay in New York. Fox, unaware of these setbacks, remained optimistic, believing the mission was simply delayed by the fierce storm. He continued to expect a successful meeting with the rest of his fleet, particularly the Powhatan, which was meant to bring essential troops and artillery to Charleston Harbor. Despite the complications, Fox’s unwavering confidence seemed to overshadow the growing challenges faced by his fleet.

At Fort Sumter, Major Anderson and his troops were met with an unsettling discovery. On the same day that Fox’s fleet was facing challenges, an explosion near Fort Moultrie revealed a newly constructed Confederate battery, equipped with four heavy guns. This development deeply unsettled Anderson, who recognized the increased threat posed by the Confederacy’s expanding artillery positions. The new battery brought the total number of Confederate gun positions around the harbor to nineteen, significantly escalating the threat to Union forces. In response, Anderson quickly reassessed his defensive strategies, ordering that the parapet be off-limits to his men, in an effort to minimize exposure to enemy fire. However, this decision to limit the men’s movements also meant they would have reduced firepower to defend the fort, increasing the vulnerability of their position.

Meanwhile, in Washington, tensions were rising as Confederate commissioners grew increasingly frustrated with the perceived indecisiveness of Secretary Seward. On April 8, one commissioner received a cryptic message urging continued faith regarding Fort Sumter, which only served to heighten their anxiety. The uncertainty surrounding the situation, paired with the ongoing delays, led the commissioners to demand more concrete assurances from Lincoln’s administration. They tasked their secretary, James Pickett, with formally requesting a meeting with President Lincoln, hoping to resolve the issue once and for all. Instead, Pickett received an outdated memorandum from Seward, further exacerbating their frustrations. This lack of clear communication from the Union side only deepened the sense of betrayal and misunderstanding felt by the Confederacy, fueling the perception that Lincoln’s government was stalling, unable to act decisively in the face of the crisis.

The storm affecting Fox’s fleet mirrored the turmoil and uncertainty unfolding across the Union and Confederacy. In Charleston, Anderson’s strategic decisions in response to the new Confederate battery reflected the high-stakes nature of the situation, where every move could determine the outcome of the impending conflict. Likewise, the Confederate commissioners’ frustration with the Union’s handling of Fort Sumter only added to the growing tension that was dividing the nation. With communication failures, military setbacks, and a growing distrust on both sides, the situation was rapidly deteriorating, making the looming conflict seem increasingly inevitable. As both sides prepared for the worst, the weather, the military maneuvers, and the diplomatic failures all contributed to a perfect storm that would soon culminate in the outbreak of the Civil War.