Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-18
"WATERvLIET ARSENAL, !

|,
1.-THE press having announced my resignation
from the army, think it due 10 myself and to the
community whose good opinion value, to make
brief explanation of the circumstances under which
my retirement from the service has taken place. |
shall take early opportunity to prepare for the
satisfaction of my friends full statement relative to
this occurrence and others which have given rise TO
erroneous comments.
Having received on the LIST Of April an order to
60 to Fort Monroe, Virginia for the purpose of
aiming the changes proposed to be made in the
patterns OF the new gun carriages for the forts left
Watervliet Arsenal on the 4th, taking with me my
wife and one of my daughters, on visit which We
had promised the previous winter to my aged moth
err in Richmond When left the Arsenal there was
a very small force employed, and for want OF the
approved patterns Of the carriages it diff
cult for Inc to find work enough to employ the few
men during my absence. stopped in Washington
on the 9th and spent part of the day IN the Ordi-
nance Office, where saw no indication that any
knew that operations were already commenced at
Watervliet Arsenal, in fitting out the expedition for
reinforcing the southern forts. ! proceeded the
next day to Richmond, but a violent storm Of sever
al days duration prevented me from reaching Fort
Monroe until the evening Of the 18th. The next
morning received note from Baltimore. enclosing
photographic despatch from the Colonel of Ordinance
to inform me that my presence was required imme-
at Watervliet Arsenal. | returned the next day
Saturday, the 18th ApriD to Richmond and set off
on Sunday morning, with my wife and daughter to
return to the arsenal, where l arrived on Monday
evening, the 18th.
On Saturday, the news of the surrender of Fort
Sumter, which took place on that day, was known
in Richmond. Foreseeng the probable immediate
consequence Of this event. and the pain FIJI situation
uhich l. as a southern man, mould occupy in charge
of the principal arsenal Of the country took
measures, before my return to the arsenal to
obtain an appointment to other duty, which would
place me in less active and conspicuous position
and could not inrolre cooperation an hostiLities
against the South 1t not until the I'd of May
that received answer declining to accede to my
request to be relieved from the command of the arsen
al No false modesty prevents me from saying that
during all this time have continued to discharge
the business entrusted to me with fidelity and with
industry and ability in which | feel Just profess
sona pride, and which will, am sure, he attested
by all who have had an opportunity of observing the
operations Of the arsenal.
Ifany one imagines that could persevere, for an
indefinite time, in forwarding ,carlkc preparations
tohich intended to be used dgaiRst the homes of
naymOther, brothers and numerous relatives in the
South, he gires me too much credit for philosophy;
other persons will not be surprised that have taken
the only left to avoid this issue BY resign
ing my commission IN the army and retiring to pr-
vate life
A. MoRDEcAL Major of Ordnance"