Question

When faced with the threat of an attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor by South Carolinian forces new President Abraham Lincoln:
A) Allowed his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to handle the problem since Lincoln felt inexperienced and unsure as to what to do.
B) Surrendered the fort to prevent the outbreak of war
C) Sent troops to aid Major Robert Anderson and ordered him to adopt a “Shoot on sight” policy
D) Sent a supply ship and advised a strictly defensive position for the port.
E) The decided offence was better and sent troops at Richmond

Answer 1

Hint: The attack on Fort Sumter also known as the Battle of Fort Sumter took place from April 12-13 in the year 1861 near Charleston, South Carolina. It is known for starting the American Civil War or the first battle of the American Civil War.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options:
Option A: When Abraham Lincoln was appointed as the President of the United States on March 4, 1861, he was welcomed with the surprise information that only 6 weeks of ration remained at Fort Sumter. He and his cabinet struggled to get to any decision and felt inexperienced, so he allowed his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to handle the situation. So, this option is correct.

Option B: After 34 hours of fighting, the Union i.e., US Federal Government led by Abraham Lincoln surrendered the fort to the Confederates States of America, the CSA or the South. This option is incorrect as the surrender took place after the war and not to prevent the outbreak of war.

Option C: No troops were sent to aid Major Robert Anderson except a supply ship was sent which was refused by the Major. Abraham Lincoln didn’t order the “shoot on sight” policy. He only tried to send supplies and ordered troops and ammunition to be sent in the case of an attack. So, this option is also incorrect.

Option D: Lincoln told the Governor of South Carolina to try to send a supply ship to Fort Sumter but when it reached there it was refused by Major Robert Anderson and was returned to Charleston. This option is incorrect as he didn’t advise a strictly defensive position for the port.

Option E: The Union general Major William “Bull” Nelson rallied troops in Richmond but most of them retreated and Nelson and his men escaped the Rebels except the 4000 Yankees who got captured by the Rebels. This option is incorrect as it is the 2nd Year of the American Civil war from Aug 29-30, 1862.

The correct answer is Option (A) i.e, Allowed his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to handle the problem since Lincoln felt inexperienced and unsure as to what to do.

Note: After the bombardment of Fort Sumter Lincoln sent troops from all states to recapture the forts and preserve the union. The second battle of Fort Sumter that took place in 1863 was a failed attempt by the Union to recapture it and resulted in the reduction of the fort into rubble. An “End of the War” celebration took place at Fort Sumter but is forgotten now because Abraham Lincoln was shot that evening.