The arsenal in Charleston was taken possession of by a detachment of the Seventeenth regiment, South Carolina militia, Col. John Cunningham, and
Fort Johnson on James island, by Capt. Joseph Johnson, commanding
the Charleston Riflemen. The governor also ordered a battery to
be built for two 24-pounders on Morris island, bearing on Ship channel, and his order was speedily put into execution by Maj. P. F. Stevens, superintendent of the South Carolina military academy, with a detachment of the cadets, supported by the Vigilant Rifles, Captain Tupper. This battery was destined soon to fire the first gun of the war. In taking
possession of the forts and the arsenal, every courtesy was shown the officers in charge, Captain
Humphreys, commanding the arsenal, saluting his flag before surrendering the property.
By the possession of Forts Moultrie and Pinckney and the arsenal in Charleston, their military
stores fell into the hands of the State of South Carolina, and by the governor's orders a careful
inventory was made at once of all the property and duly reported to him. At Moultrie there were
sixteen 24-pounders, nineteen 32-pounders, ten 8-inch columbiads, one 10-inch seacoast
mortar, four 6-pounders, two 12-pounders and four 24-pounder
howitzers and a large supply of
ammunition. At Castle Pinckney the armament was nearly complete and the magazine well filled
with powder. At the arsenal there was a large supply of military stores, heavy ordnance and
small-arms. These exciting events were followed by the attempt of the government to succor
Major Anderson with supplies and reinforce his garrison.
Slide show of Ft. Sumter early in the war
