that my command be allowed to occupy the quarters assigned them, until instructions can be obtained from the War Department. Very respectfully, F. C. HUMPHREYS, Military Storekeeper, Ordnance, U. S. A. Colonel JOHN CUNNINGHAM, 17th regiment of Infantry, S. C. M. II. F. C. Humphreys to Ordnance office. [Telegram.] CHARLESTON, January 2, 1861. I have reported by mail. The property has been receipted for on the last annual inventory, and is being constantly removed. Our movements are restricted at night, not being allowed to leave the post. Men very much dissatisfied. Captain MAYNADIER. F. C. HUMPHREYS. III. Ordnance office to F. C. Humphreys. [Telegram.] ORDNANCE OFFICE, January 2, 1861. I want a report, in detail, of what has occurred; of the present position and condition of your command and property, as regards quarters and other accommodations, freedom of movement, and any statements or views in the matter that you may deem proper for a full understanding. F. C. HUMPHREYS, Esq., WM. MAYNADIER, United States Arsenal, Charleston, S. C. IV. F. C. Humphreys to Ordnance office. CHARLESTON ARSENAL, S. C., January 3, 1861. SIR: I received your despatch last night, and sent a reply by telegraph. I will now proceed to make a detailed report of the facts relative to the surrender of this arsenal, which I should have done before, but that my time has been fully occupied in getting proper vouchers for the property recently in my charge. On Sunday morning last Colonel Cunningham marched a strong detachment of armed men into this arsenal, (having several days before entirely surrounded it outside of the enclosure,) and demanded the surrender in the name of South Carolina, and by order of Governor Pickens. Having no force to make a defence, I surrendered under protest, and demanded the privilege of saluting my flag before lowering it, and of taking it with me, and that the command should occupy the quarters until instructions could be received from the War Department, which was granted. Soon after the arsenal and magazine were both opened, and the property has been constantly issued since-arms, ammunition, accoutrements, &c. Myself and men and our families are very unpleasantly situated. There are some two hundred men here constantly, and we are in actual danger from accidents when so many inexperienced persons are at every turn with loaded arms. Our movements are watched and restricted, and I would earnestly request that we may be moved elsewhere. The times are so unsettled that I have not issued to my command this month either subsistence or fuel; in fact, we have no conveniences. for anything, and all in confusion and turmoil. I understand that all communication with Fort Sumter is cut off, and that a barge with its men from that post has been captured at the city wharf, and are held in durance. Very respectfully, I am, sir, your most obedient servant, Captain WILLIAM MAYNADIER, In charge of Ordnance Bureau, Washington, D. C. V. Ordnance office to F. C. Humphreys. [Telegram.] ORDNANCE OFFice, Washington, January 8, 1861. Transfer your men to Augusta arsenal. F. C. HUMPHREYS, Esq., H. K. CRAIG, Colonel of Ordnance. Military Storekeeper, Charleston Arsenal. 2. MOUNT VERNON ARSENAL. Captain J. L. Reno to Ordnance office. MOUNT VERNON ARSENAL, January 4, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that this arsenal was taken possession of by four companies of volunteers from Mobile at daylight this morning. I did not make, nor could I have made, any resistance, as they had scaled the walls and taken possession before I knew anything about the movement. The governor has demanded all the public property, and his men now have entire possession of the arsenal. I telegraphed to you to-day for orders as to what disposition is to be made of the enlisted men and of myself. If, unfortunately, my telegram should not be answered, I will wait here a few days, in hopes of hearing from you; but in the event the mails should be stopped, I will discharge all those that desire it, and bring the others with me to Washington. The men have not been paid, and I fear that now there is no prospect of it at present. I shall probably leave here by the 11th instant, unless I should receive other orders. As it was impossible for me to hold this place with my seventeen men, I trust that the department will not hold me responsible for this unexpected catastrophe. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain WILLIAM MAYNADIER, J. L. RENO, Captain of Orḍnance. Ordnance Office. 3. APALACHICOLA ARSENAL. I. Sergeant E. Powell to Ordnance office. QUINCY, Florida, January 5, 1861. SIR I beg leave to state that I telegraphed this morning from Chattahoochee, and finding that I could get no answer, I came to this place, and thought probably I might get an answer from you by writing from here. I informed you that the Florida troops had taken possession of the arsenal, and my force being so weak, I was unable to offer any resistance. I mailed a copy of the governor's order, &c., this morning at Chattahoochee, but feared that it would not be forwarded, on account of the excitement. They have taken all the public property, in spite of all I could do. I refused giving up the keys, but the governor telegraphed to the commanding officer to insist on the delivery of the same, and I was compelled to give them up. I would be pleased to receive advice as to what disposition I shall make of myself and men. I am, respectfully, &c., Captain WILLIAM MAYNADIER, E. POWELL, Ordnance Sergeant U. S. Army. Washington, D. C. II. Sergeant E. Powell to Ordnance office. UNITED STATES ARSENAL, Chattahoochee, Florida, January 6, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a copy of the order given to Colonel Duryea, the commander of the troops which took possession of this arsenal. I telegraphed to you this morning. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. POWELL, Ordnance Sergeant U. S. A. Captain W. MAYNADIER, STATE OF FLORIDA, Executive Chamber, Tallahassee, January 5, 1861. SIR: Reposing special confidence in your patriotism, discretion, and integrity, I hereby authorize and empower you to raise a company of picked men and proceed to the Apalachicola river, and seize and possess the arsenal, arms, ammunition, stores, buildings, and other property now in possession of the general government, and retain the same subject to my orders. You are requested to act with secrecy and discretion. You are further authorized to call out the seventh regiment Florida militia for all aid in its power to render that you may deem necessary to retain occupation of said arsenal. By the governor of the State of Florida : M. S. PERRY. T. L. VILLEPEGUE, Secretary of State. 4. BATON ROUGE ARSENAL. Lieutenant J. W. Todd to Ordnance office. [Telegram.] BATON ROUGE, January 10, 1861. The arsenal was surrendered this evening to the governor of Louisiana. Please give me instructions where to proceed with the detachment under my command. Col. H. K. CRAIG, J. W. TODD. Lieutenant of Ordnance. Chief of Ordnance department, U. S. A. 5. FORT MARION AND DEPOT. Sergeant Henry Douglas to Ordnance office. ST. AUGUSTINE, East Florida, January 7, 1861. SIR: I am obliged to perform what is to me a painful duty-to report to the chief of ordnance that all the military stores at this place were. seized this morning by the order of the governor of the State of Florida. A company of volunteer soldiers marched to the barracks and took possession of me, and demanded peaceable possession of the keys of the fort and magazine. I demanded them to show me their authority; an aide-de-camp of the governor showed me his letter of instructions authorizing him to seize the property, and directing him to use what force might be necessary. Upon reflection, I decided that the only alternative for me was to deliver the keys under protest, and demand a receipt for the property. One thing certain, with the exception of the guns composing the armament of the water battery, the property seized is of no great value. The gentleman acting under the governor's instructions has promised to receipt to me for the stores. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. H. K. CRAIG, HENRY DOUGLAS, Ordnance Sergeant U. S. A. Chief of Ordnance department U. S. A., Washington City, D. C. |