That's interesting. Really interesting. I know Frederick Clinton Humphrey's was 'acting' as the head officer at the Arsenal. The 'real' one was said to be on "leave". Now, we see that may or may not be the case.

FC Humphrey's requested orders from Washington for at least 2 days before surrendering the arsenal to the South Carolina Militia. I have seen nothing to say he got any response one way or the other.

Some may question Humphrey's actions because he was born in Pittsfield, Mass. and was in the US Army. After he turned over the arsenal he resigned from the US Army and joined the Confederate Army. Hmm, after learning a lot of stuff on him and his father, I have a real good idea why. Anyway, he then became a storekeeper for the CSA in Agusta and Colombus. At the wars end he was listed as a Major. Also during the war, he and his wife lost 3 of their little children to illness.

Pam