The entire episode of the Arsenal has puzzled me for a while. The acting commander of the arsenal requested orders or advice from Washington. He did not get any response. The Arsenal had been 'surrounded' but not attacked as it is my understanding. My question is more of a supposition. While the 'acting' commander was in the position in December of 1860, the Arsenal was turned over to the South Carolina Militia. All of that is in the OR's. My personal idea on it comes from the fact that the 'acting' commander then resigned from the US Army and joined the Confederate Army as a Quartermaster. At the end of the war he held the rank of Major. His father had been an Army man and was the Indian Agent in St Augustine until the US decided he was leaning too far toward the Seminole point of view and replaced him. My contention is that this 'acting' commander saw a chance and took it. He may well have been leaning toward leaving if events led up to actual war. From the information I have on this man, I don't believe this is too far fetched though I don't have written proof. Does this sound too crazy to have happened?

Pam