Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-23
BON the Llttls - Dsnoorat, Feb. !.


The Seizure Of q. s. Arms &C Little Rock.
On Tuesday morning cur city was thrown
into the highest state of excitement by the
unexpected arrival, on the steamer Frederick
Notrebe, OF a body Of troops from Helena,
with the aYoWed purpose of taking the U. S.
Arsenal at this place; and the arrival of ad-
ditional troops a few hours later, from Jeffer-
son county, on the Key West, increased the
excitement ten fold. . .f.-- li...-... -
10 On Wednesday more troops, from Phillips,
Monroe and Prairie counties, continued to ar
rive, and By dusk there was force of 400
men, well armed with Minnie rifles, qusrtered
in the town.
As our citizens were not apprised of any
determination to take the arsenal, and were
ignorant that troops had been requested from
distance to take it, their unexpected arrival
produced quite sensation. The City Coun-
ell was called, and on application to the
Governor was informed that the troops were
not here by his orders. The troops them
selves were OF different opinion, and came
here, as they thought at his command; but
whether so OF not they were here to take the
arsenal, and they determined to accomplish
that object before leaving. The excitement
consequently continued to increase with
every fresh arrival Of troops, until the
citizens OF the town met and made for
NAL request of the Governor to assume the
responsibility of the movement, in the name
of the State, to demand the arsenal of the
officer in command Of It. 1t was believed
that Captain Tottsn would surrender to
the authorities Of the State, rather than
have a collision, but would not to q body of
men disaYoWed by the Governor and acting
in violation of law, and that as the troops
were determined on taking the arsenal at all
hazards, there would Of course be collision,
and probably much sacrifice of life Conse-
quently, the Governor consented to act, and
Immediately made g formal demand upon
Capt. Totten. In the meantime, he ordered
the three regiments of this and Saline coun-
ties to hold themselves in readiness for an
emergency, and assembled and armed as
many Of them at once sS could be got to-
gether on so short q notice. Yesterday even
ing our streets presented quite military ap-
pearance, about one thousand being on pa
rade under arms. H -71.a-
To the Governors demand for the surren-
der of the arsenal, Capt. Tottsn asked until
yesterday evening at o'clock to consider,
which was agreed to. At the time appoint
ed, Capt, TOtten made known bis readiness to
evscuate the arsenal, and after the details
were finally agreed upon, it was arranged
that at II o'clock to-day the arsenal should
be delivered up to the authorities of the
State.
Thus the difficulty has been happily SET
tied, and as far as we can learn, to the entire
satisfaction of the troops. The arsenal will
be delivered at II O'Clock to-day, and we un-
derstRnd it is the intention Of the Governor
to station there permanently one Of the com
panies Of fifty men from Phillips county. By
the close of the day, We suppose most of the
troops will have dispersed to their homes,
and cur city will have relapssd into its usual
quiet. -.-a
Capt Tosten, we presume, viii soon take
his departure. and, as be has been regarded
almost in the light OF a citizen, his father and
mother having resided here for more than
twenty years, he will carry with him our re-
grets tor the necessity that compels him to
lileaYe, and our wsrmest wishes for his vel
fare. There is no truer Southern man than
Capt. Totten, and during his stay here he
won the respect esteem and confidence of sv-
cry one, Iilf olfr