The 'Star of the West' incident unfolded when the steamship, tasked with delivering supplies to the besieged Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, was fired upon by Confederate forces. Commanded by Major Robert Anderson, Fort Sumter was under Union control but faced increasing tension after South Carolina's secession. As the ship entered the harbor on January 9, 1861, Confederate artillery stationed at Morris Island opened fire, signaling a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the North and South. The 'Star of the West' was struck, but it managed to retreat without any casualties and returned to New York, underscoring the intense situation in the region.

Leading up to this moment, tensions had been mounting since Abraham Lincoln's election in November 1860, which prompted Southern states to secede. The firing on the 'Star of the West' was one of the first confrontations that highlighted the willingness of Southern states to take military action to assert their independence and protect their interests. The incident was covered widely in the Northern press, reinforcing the perception of Southern hostility.

This confrontation was a prelude to the full-scale war that was to follow, as it demonstrated the volatile mix of political and military interests at play. The refusal of the Union to abandon Fort Sumter led to increased militarization from both sides and set the stage for the First Battle of Fort Sumter later in April 1861, marking the start of open conflict in the American Civil War.