 Funston's brother Orville Funston led a militia company that helped capture the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry immediately after the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 voted for secession on April 17, 1861.On May 16, 1861, Funsten traveled to Richmond and accepted a commission as Lt. Col. of the 11th Virginia Infantry.He returned to Alexandria, and soon supervised evacuation of confederate troops from its train depot.