Before the battle, President Lincoln reinforced the fort by sending additional troops and supplies.

Before the conflict at Fort Sumter, President Lincoln made a pivotal decision reinforcing the fort. His objective was to strengthen the garrison's defenses by dispatching extra troops and supplies to support the Union's presence. This action was a key component of Lincoln's strategy to uphold federal control over the fort, which was essential for asserting the federal government's authority in the South. While Lincoln aimed to prevent any provocation of hostilities, his choice to reinforce Fort Sumter ultimately heightened tensions, culminating in the Confederate assault on April 12, 1861, and signaling the onset of the Civil War in American history.