Chapter 135: Lincoln queries his new Cabinet about reinforcing Sumter.

The southern response to the speech is uniformly hostile. The Alexandria Sentinel writes “the inaugural address is a declaration of war;” the Athens Herald claims “Mr. Lincoln’s inaugural, analyzed, fully means nothing but force, war, and bloodshed;” the Atlanta Confederacy adds “the future is ominous…we are dealing first with men who hate us bitterly.”

Lincoln is now forced to assess the possibility of an attack on Ft. Sumter, and turns to General Scott and Gideon Welles for advice, which proves discouraging. Scott says defending the forts would take a fleet of warships plus 25,000 troops and six months lead time to prepare.

On March 14 the President queries his new cabinet for their recommendations. As usual, Seward opposes the use of force, still certain that reconciliation will occur. Others agree, with the exception of Montgomery Blair, West Point graduate and son of arch Unionist Francis Preston Blair, Sr. He tells Lincoln that retreating from Sumter would be “an act of treason.”