Chapter 136: Emissaries to Charleston report a negative outlook.

The President is now whipsawed between intense pressure to reinforce Sumter from fellow Republicans and Seward leaks to the press promising its evacuation. Before deciding, Lincoln seeks more information, and sends two trusted advisors to visit and observe conditions in Charleston. One is his lawyer friend from Illinois, Stephen Hurlbut; the other is security man, Ward Lamon, tasked with meeting Governor Pickens.

Hurlbut reports that in walking around the city, he is struck by the total absence of the Stars & Stripes flying on ships in port. Instead they all bear the Palmetto insignia of South Carolina or the new seven star flag of the CSA. He interviews James Pettigru, his former law professor and state AG, who tells him that the only question left is whether the South will be allowed to go in peace or whether a civil war will follow. Lamon’s meeting with the Governor end with reassurances of a coming evacuation.

The men spend two days visiting Charleston before writing up their report and getting it to Lincoln on March 28.