I do know what I am talking about. It's common knowledge.When you can't answer the questions, you don't know what you're talking about.
1.) If you're talking about Lincoln's supply ships, those were a Navy assault flotilla fitted with troop transports and warships. They were sent 'supposedly to provision the fort with food only, but that was just more of Lincoln's lies. South Carolina learned about the lies and the ships coming to reinforce Sumter. Thus the need to fire on Sumter now before the ships arrived. Which they did.
The ships were under a Captain Fox, who was bold when he and Lincoln discussed this plan. But once he got to Charleston Harbor, the firing on Sumter had already begun. And he got cold feet and refused to go in and mix it up in the battle...to everyone's surprise.
Thus these ships sent by Lincoln didn't get fired upon. The battle of Sumter was already underway.
2.) If you're talking about Buchannan sending the 'Star Of The West', that was also done deceptively, portraying itself with food only. Which was more Yankee bullshit. The South learned it was picking up troops also to land at Sumter. It was a deceptive ship, and would fly a deceptive flag in hopes of fooling the Southernors.
"The plan called for utmost secrecy. The ship would depart from New York as if on one of its regular voyages but would pick up two hundred well-armed U.S. Army regulars at Governor's Island in New York Harbor before heading south. Telegrams were to be avoided for fear of interception, with all telegraphy between Governor's Island and surrounding cities suspended for the duration of the voyage.
"Whenever the ship came in sight of another vessel, the soldiers were to go below decks; they would hide there as well when the ship approached Charleston. The plan was kept secret even from Interior Secretary Thompson out of the quite reasonable concern that he would reveal it to his Carolina contracts." (The Demon Of Unrest, Erik Larson, Crown Publishing Group, 2024, p. 181)
Thus the deceptively disguised vessel was fired upon because it was coming not to provide food for Sumter, but troop reinforcements. The lies of the Yankees just don't stop. The plan went to hell and the Southernors fired warning shot first, but then when that was ignored they fired on the ship itself.
None of this caused Anderson at Sumter to fire at the South Carolina land batteries. Which meant they didn't fire on Sumter, thus the war would not start due to this debacle of a mission. 'The Star Of The West' turned back.
So, you see? Probably not. Your statement, 'they did attack the resupply vessel', as though that meant something, meant nothing. No matter which administration it was done under. All was deceit.
Quantrill
Yes, on January 9, 1861, the Union merchant ship "Star of the West" was fired upon by South Carolina militia/cadets from The Citadel while attempting to deliver supplies and reinforcements to Fort Sumter. The ship was hit, forced to turn back, and the incident is often considered an unofficial opening act of the Civil War.
Key details regarding the incident:
- The Ship: Star of the West, an unarmed civilian merchant vessel, was chartered by the U.S. government.
- The Attackers: Cadets from The Citadel and militia stationed at Morris Island fired on the ship.
- The Outcome: The ship was struck multiple times but not severely damaged. It withdrew without successfully delivering supplies to Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter.
- Significance: While this event occurred months before the official start of the Civil War at Fort Sumter in April 1861, it was the first time shots were exchanged in the crisis.