Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-22
"WATERvLIEr ARSENAL,
Nav 8, 1861.

1.-THE press having announced my resignation
from the array, think it due to myself and to the
community whose good opinion value, to make a
brief explanation of the circumstances under which
my retirement from the service has taken place. l
shall take an 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
go to Fort Monroe Virginia, for the purpose of ex-
aiming the changes proposed to be made in the
patterns Of the new gun carriages for the FORTS left
Watervliet Arsenal on the 18th, taking with me my
wife and one of my daughters, on q visit which we
had promised the previous winter, to my aged moth
or in Richmond When left the Arsenal there was
very small force employed, and for want Of the
approved patterns of the new carriages it diff
cult for the to find work enough to employ the few
men during my absence. Aopped in Washington
on the 9th and spent part Of the day in the Ordi-
nance Office, where saw no indication that any one
knew that operations were already commenced at
Watervliet Arsenal in fitting out the expedition for
reinforcing the southern FORTS l proceeded the
next day to Richmond but violent storm of sever
al days duration prevented me from reaching Fort
Monroe until the evening Of the 1lth The next
morning received note from Baltimore, enclosing
photographic despatch from the Colonel of Ordinance
to inform Inc that my presence was required imme-
at Watervliet Arsenal. returned the next day
Saturday, the 18th April 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 10Th.
On Saturday, the news Of the surrender Of Fort
Sumter. which took place on that day, was known
in Richmond. Foreseeing the probable immediate
consequence If this event. and the painful situation
uhich /, a. a southern man. Mould occupy in charge
of the principal arsenal Of the country. l took
measures even before my return to the arsenal, to
obtain an appointment to other duty, which would
place me in less active and conspicuous position,
and ,coud not inrolre cooperation in hostilities
against the South. 1t was not until the I'd of May
that received an answer declining to accede to my
request to be relieved from the command Of the
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
sional PRIDE and which will, am sure, be attested
by all who have had an opportunity of observing the
operations Of the arsenal.
II any one imagnes that could persevere, for an
indefinite time, in torwarding ~arlike preparations
whch ,cere intended to be used against the homes Of
mn mother, brothers and relatives in tho
South, he gices mo too much credit for philosophy
other persons will not be surprised that have taken
the only course left to avoid this issue by resign
ing my commission IN the army and retiring to pri-
vate life.
A. MoRDEcAI, Major Of Ordnance"