The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Little Rock Arsenal

Some questions has come up in our group discussions about the early events in Arkansas regarding the War for Southern Independence. Maybe someone on this board has an answer or a source that we are not aware of.

It is our understanding that the Little Rock Arsenal was not garrisoned by Company "F" of the Second U.S. Artillery, under the command of Captain James Totten, prior to mid November 1860. That Totten and his command were ordered from Kansas to Little Rock sometime around the end of October 1860.

Is this Correct?

If So, Why was Totten ordered to Little Rock? Who ordered Totten to Little Rock? Was that order directed throught the War Department?, Or Army Command (General Winfield Scott)?

The reasoning here is that Military Units do not normally move without someone's ordering them to. Totten did not come and bring his whole command to Little Rock on his own authority.

Was there a precieved threat at Little Rock that Totten was supposed to address?

Little Rock in 1860 seems to not have been a place where someone (the U.S. Army) would expect "trouble"..

It is our understanding that before Totten's arrival that there were no U.S. Troops stationed at the Arsenal.

Is that true?

If not. Who where the troops assigned there, before Totten arrived in Little Rock?

Since Totten's command was the only "combat organization" recorded that left Little Rock. If there was a U.S. military presence in Little Rock prior to Totten's arrival, Who did Totten relieve? Outside of the troops at Fort Smith was there any other places where U.S. Troops were garrisoned in Arkansas in 1860?

We understand that there was probably a small Quartermasters detachment at the Arsenal, but not garrisoned troops. And that most of the Barracks were in bad shape because they had been used as warehouses prior to Totten's arrival.

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Correction!!!
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