I don’t claim to be a ‘Civil War Expert’, my study has been limited to the Western Front, in Indian Territory, Texas & Arkansas. But you are correct. Ft. Smith was taken without a battle April 23rd, 1861 by Arkansas troops and Stand Watie and his Cherokee Braves. Fort Washita was abandoned by Union Forces April 16. As early as Feb 8th, was the seizure of Little Rock Arsenal by State Troops. By giving up those Forts, it established the precedent of doing so, and an acknowledgement that the USA recognized the Confederate States claims on them. From what I have been reading, Washington was sending mixed signals about giving up on Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens as well.
By giving up those Forts, it established the precedent of doing so, and an acknowledgement that the USA recognized the Confederate States claims on them. From what I have been reading, Washington was sending mixed signals about giving up on Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens as well. With the exception of Texas, all the forts seized by the Southern forces were empty. So it's hard to make the case that a precedent of 'giving up' the forts was set. In Texas, the Army turned its facilities over only because the commander down there was a southern sympathizer and he ordered it done.