The Civil War could have begun at this U.S. arsenal. As other states seceded, rumors that reinforcements were heading for the arsenal led around 1,000 militia from south and west Arkansas to demand the surrender of the garrison.

On February 12, 1861, Captain James Totten, with no orders from his superiors, abandoned the arsenal to, "avoid the cause of the Civil War."

Little Rock's ladies gave him a sword to show their appreciation of his action. Two months later, Fort Sumter was attacked.