Final answer:
Reporting live from Fort Sumter, the key points would include describing it as the beginning of the Civil War, detailing Lincoln's call for troops and special session of Congress, and examining the initial miscalculations about the war's duration by the North and South.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being on the ground during the opening shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter, there are several key points to report. First, it's crucial to mention that this siege marks the beginning of the Civil War. On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces, under the command of General P.G.T.
Beauregard, began firing upon Union forces stationed in the fort, leading Major Robert Anderson to surrender after a bombardment of 34 hours.
Furthermore, it's pivotal to detail President Abraham Lincoln's response: he issued a Proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen, indicating a major escalation in the confrontation between the Union and the Confederacy.
Lastly, the broader implications of this attack need to be explored, such as how the conflict was initially viewed as short-term by both sides, the subsequent secession of Virginia, and how the event led both the Union and the Confederacy to a prolonged and bloody civil war, challenging prior assumptions of a quick resolution.
These events at Fort Sumter proved to be a significant flashpoint, fueling the fire of war and setting the stage for a conflict that would last four years and redefine the United States. The attack not only triggered a call to arms but also a realization that the war would be much more protracted and devastating than initially thought by either side.