The Little Rock Arsenal Crisis: On the Precipice of the American Civil War

David Sesser

• Publisher: The History Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781609499693
• eBook ISBN: 9781625840363
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

Before shots rang out on a distant South Carolina shore, talk of secession occurred throughout the antebellum United States. These talks grew to a fervent yell in Little Rock, Arkansas. On the eve of a statewide election to determine a secession convention, pro-secession militia descended on Little Rock in February 1861. They closed in around the Federally controlled arsenal in the hopes of seizing the weapons stores. A standoff began between the Federal troops and secessionists, with the citizens of Little Rock caught in the middle. The ensuing political debate set the stage for Southern secession, and the arsenal weapons became integral to the Confederate cause. Join author David Sesser in an exploration of the fascinating political drama and prelude to the bloodiest war in American history.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1. Arkansas in Early 1861
• 2. The Federal Military Posts in Arkansas
• 3. Volunteer Militia Units Arrive in Little Rock
• 4. The Arsenal Surrenders and War Is Avoided
• 5. Arkansas Leaves the Union
• Conclusion
• Appendix A. Timeline of Events Relating to the Little Rock Arsenal Crisis
• Appendix B. Reports and Correspondence of the Seizure of the U.S. Arsenal at Little Rock
• Appendix C. Reports of the Capture of Fort Smith
• Appendix D. Items Held by the Little Rock Arsenal on February 9, 1861
• Notes
• Bibliography
• About the Author