"On the 7th instant I received an order from Colonel Gardner, commanding troops in the harbor, to issue to him all of the fixed ammunition for small-arms (percussion caps, primers, &c.) at this arsenal such a step being advisable, in his estimation, for the better protection of the property in view of the excitement now existing in this city and State. Being allowed no discretion in the matter, his order being peremptory, I proceeded to obey it on the afternoon of the 8th. Captain Seymour having come up from Fort Moultrie, with a detachment of men and a schooner, for the purpose of removing the stores, the shipment of them was interfered with by the owner of the wharf until the city authorities could be notified, and there were but three or four cart-loads on board. I considered it best that they should be reconveyed to the magazine until something definite should be determined upon, which was done. Not having heard anything further from Colonel Gardner relative to this matter, I conceive it my duty to report the facts in the case, which I respectfully submit." Humphreys
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"The following events, which transpired the day I arrived at Fort Moultrie, I deem proper to report here, as I have orally heretofore, as they relate to an act of unusual importance, tending to indicate the inflammable and impulsive state of the public mind in Charleston to a great extent characteristic of the feeling manifested throughout the State and necessity for prudence and judgment on the part of the commanding officer in all transactions which may bear upon the relations of the Federal Government to the State of South Carolina, and of the Army to our citizens. I regard it especially important to refer to them, as Colonel Gardner informed me he should make no report. The military storekeeper has at the arsenal in the city a large number of arms and quantity of ammunition, which, fearing it might fall into improper hands, he desired to secure to the United States, and under counsel from Colonel Gardner he packed them up and held in readiness to be shipped to Fort Moultrie whenever Colonel Gardner should send for them. Availing himself of an approved requisition for paints, lacquers, &c., needed at the post, he sent Captain Seymour to the city for the supply and other articles that the military storekeeper might wish to have stored at the post, and thus secured in case of negro insurrections. The owner of the wharf refused permission to ship them. A crowd collected, and suspecting an attempt on the part of the Government to smuggle (it being late in the evening, or after dark) arms, ammunition, & c., from the city, to be used against it, or to prevent their use by citizens in case of disturbances, would not permit the property to be carried away." Porter
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The differences in these two reports are many. The issue here is that it was Porter's inspection (the entry report has to be read to understand) of the Charleston garrison that got Colonel Gardner relieved of duty - for reasons not specified - but clearly the event was reported differently by someone who was there (Humphreys) and someone I believe was told about it second-hand (Porter). Fort Moultrie's garrison had officers that were disloyal to its command and fellow officers (i.e. Doubleday) and were well known for their back-stabbing.
Porter's report of a mob at the wharf has been used in history to show how much danger the garrison was in prior to Anderson's retreat to Fort Sumter. This issue is in question. Humphrey's would have reported this mob, he was worried about such an event happening according to his other reports, and he did not.
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David Upton