The decision by Southern leaders to commit to secession was fraught with tactical missteps. Initially seen as a means to protect their way of life, the move escalated to a point where it was backed by violence, culminating in a pivotal mistake. Once they severed ties with Washington, the South relinquished control over the unfolding events, which would ultimately shape their destiny.

This shift allowed their adversaries to take the lead in the conflict, seizing the initiative that the South had surrendered. The unfolding situation in Washington would play a critical role in determining the outcome of the Civil War, leaving the Confederacy at a significant disadvantage as they found themselves on the defensive.