The decision to resupply Fort Sumter was not an easy one. Lincoln knew that it would likely lead to war, and he was reluctant to take that step. However, he felt that he had no choice but to act, as allowing Fort Sumter to fall would have been seen as a sign of weakness and would have further emboldened the Confederacy.
The resupply mission, known as the "Fort Sumter Expedition," was launched in April 1861. It was led by Major Robert Anderson, who had been the commander of Fort Sumter since 1860. The expedition consisted of a fleet of ships carrying food and supplies for the fort.
The Confederate government viewed the resupply mission as an act of aggression, and they ordered their troops to fire on the Union fleet. The bombardment of Fort Sumter lasted for 34 hours, and the fort was eventually forced to surrender. This marked the beginning of the Civil War.