To Sell or Collide, South Carolina was finalizing its plans to attack Fort Sumter in early February, with construction nearly completed at Cummings Point. Major Anderson, stationed at the fort, shared his concerns with Adjutant Cooper, hoping the state would reconsider the attack that had been long anticipated. At the same time, the Hall-Hayne mission to Washington faced challenges due to misunderstandings about the strategic value of the fort. Hayne, the South Carolina Attorney General, arrived at the White House expecting a smooth negotiation, intending to press a legal claim for the fort’s surrender under eminent domain. He believed this would be a simple process, similar to negotiating land rights for a railroad.

However, U.S. War Secretary Holt quickly rejected Hayne’s claims, emphasizing that the president did not have the authority to transfer federal property. Only Congress could approve such actions, and Holt miscalculated the Southern perspective, claiming the fort was only there for national defense and posed no threat to South Carolina’s honor. This statement enraged Hayne, who felt his state’s pride and position were being ignored, leading to increased tension between the federal government and the seceding states.

As tensions escalated, Governor Pickens of South Carolina communicated his thoughts on the military situation. He suggested in several letters that the federal troop increases in Washington were a direct affront to the South, indicating a need for immediate action. Pickens proposed that Maryland and Virginia seize Northern capitals and forts in a bold move to disrupt Northern control, believing this rapid action would either force a resolution or prevent a prolonged civil war.

In the midst of this conflict, former Senator James Hammond shared his thoughts with a close friend, eagerly awaiting the onset of war. He expressed frustration with the ongoing debates and criticized opposing views on slavery, arguing that the South’s economic prosperity deserved greater respect. Hammond felt that only through conflict could the South secure its future and maintain its way of life.

Meanwhile, back at Fort Sumter, Major Anderson received a deeply emotional letter from his wife, Eba, detailing a conversation with a Southern planter. She expressed her growing disappointment with South Carolina’s stance on the fort and her frustration with the escalating conflict. Eba conveyed her belief that if Anderson were to abandon the fort, she would not be content, suggesting instead that he should destroy the fort before leaving, illustrating the deep emotional divide and ideological rift in the South during this volatile period.

South Carolina’s decision to prioritize military action highlighted the significant divisions between the state and the federal government. At the heart of the issue was the question of honor, with many in South Carolina perceiving the fort as a symbol of federal control and a threat to their autonomy. This confrontation at Fort Sumter ultimately served as a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Civil War, illustrating how both ideological and emotional factors played a crucial role in shaping the actions of key players on both sides.

The debates over the fort’s fate also highlighted the evolving role of Southern leaders like Hayne and Pickens, who increasingly saw military action as the only viable solution to their concerns. They believed that by confronting the federal government directly, they could assert their sovereignty and secure the South’s future. However, this approach led to a tragic miscalculation, as it set the stage for a war that would change the course of American history forever.

In addition, the emotional correspondence between Major Anderson and his wife revealed the personal toll the conflict was taking on individuals. Anderson, torn between his duty to the Union and his loyalty to his Southern roots, found himself at the center of a deeply personal and national crisis. His wife’s letter underscored the emotional complexities faced by those involved in the conflict, particularly as the ideological divisions between the North and South deepened.

The situation at Fort Sumter was not just a military standoff but also a symbol of the ideological and emotional forces that were driving the nation toward civil war. As leaders on both sides debated their positions, they were not only contending with political and strategic considerations but also with deeply held beliefs about honor, autonomy, and the future of the nation. The events surrounding the fort ultimately underscored the profound ideological divide that existed within the United States, setting the stage for the Civil War’s outbreak.