JV CONTENTS.

—General Beauregard Recommends Colonel Walker for Promotion.— Estimate called for, and given, of Men and Material Needed for a Suc cessful Defence of Charleston and its Harbor Page 20

CHAPTER XXVIII.

General Beauregard Returns to Charleston.—He informs the War Department of the Result of his Inspection of the Works around Savannah.—Dis positions Taken with Regard to Different Batteries; for the Completion of the Boom ; for the Protection of River Obstructions; for Negro Labor upon Works around Charleston.—Letter to Governor Pickens.—Letter to Colonel Chestnut.—Letter to the Hon. W. P. Miles.—Promise of Secretary of War to scud Guns to General Beauregard. — His Letter to General Cobb. — Instructions to Major Pope. — War Department withdraws the Order for Guns.—General Beauregard's Letter to General S. Cooper, Ex plaining Conduct of Major Childs.—Telegram from the Secretary of War. —General Beauregard Requests a Suspension of Decision.—Refusal of the Secretary of War.—Indignation of General Beauregard.—Governor Pick-ens Dissuades him from Demanding to be Relieved.—Ordnance Depart ment Refuses to Pay for Banding of Guns. — Notice given of Probable Attack.—Canal Cut through the Wappoo.—General Beauregard's Minute Attention to all Details.—Instructions to General Cobb.—Enemy's Fleet directed towards Cape Lookout.—General Beauregard's Letter to Gen eral Whiting.—Enemy Retires to Newbern.—Information given of Prob able Naval Attack upon Charleston. — General Beauregard Recalls his Troops from North Carolina. — President Davis Refuses to send 7-inch Guns to General Beauregard.—They are sent to Mobile 35

CHAPTER XXIX.

Delay of the Federal Attack on Charleston.—General Beauregard makes Ar rangements for Concentration of Troops by Rail.—His Letter to General Riplcy.—His Desire to Test the Merits of the two Ironclad Rams.—Com modore Ingraham Adopts his Suggestion.—The Federal Fleet is Attacked on the llth.—The Palmetto State Disables the Merccdita, and gives Chase to two other Steamers.—The Chicora Sets Fire to a Propeller, Cripples the Quaker City, and Disables the Keystone State. —The whole Blockad ing Fleet Retires.— The Blockade of Charleston Harbor undoubtedly Raised.—General Pemberton's Error in Abandoning the Defences of the Stono.—Federal Gunboats run up the Stono.—General Beauregard Plans the Capture of the Isaac Smith. —Colonel Yates's Report.—Attack upon Genesis Point Battery.—Federal Monitor Crippled and Forced to With draw.—General Beauregard's Letter to General Riplcy.—His Dread of a Night Attack on Sumter.—Second Attack on Fort McAllister.—Small Force in General Beauregard's Department.—He Demands Additional State Troops from Governor Bouham.—Preparation Made for the Im pending Attack on Charleston 55

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXX.

General Beaurcgard Orders the Cummings's Point Battery to be Strengthened. —Citadel Cadets Assigned to the New Bridge Defences.—The Ironclads Cross the Bar on the 5th.—Admiral Dupont Makes his Attack on the 7th. —Order in which the Ships came up.—Their Armament.—Admiral Du-pont's Plan of Battle.—Fort Sumter the Chief Object of Attack.—Its Re duction Supposed to be Inevitable.—Commanders of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, and the various Batteries Engaged.—How they were Armed.— Number of Guns Employed by the Confederates.—Cautious Approach of the Monitors. — Fort Moultrie opens Fire on them. — Fort Sumter docs likewise.—Description of the Fight.—Fort Sumter Cripples the New Iron sides. — The Passaic Withdraws from the Fight. — Two more Ironclads forced to Retire.—The Keokuk engages Fort Sumter.—She is badly Dam aged.—Importance of the Defeat inflicted on the Enemy.—The Keokuk Sinks near Morris Island on the 8th.—Oil the 12th the Monitors steam, and are towed Southward.—Condition of Sumter after the Attack.—Ex hibit of Shots fired on both Sides.—Fleet keeps Outside of Line of Torpe does and Rope Obstructions.—General Beauregard's Efforts to Organize an Attack on the Monitors with Torpedo-boats.—His Letter to Lieutenant Webb, C. S. N.—His Plan Foiled by the Withdrawal of the Fleet.—Let ter to General Cooper.—Failure to Complete Torpedo-rams and Gun boats Page GO

CHAPTER XXXI.

Troops Withdrawn from General Beaurcgard and Sent to North Carolina and to General Johnston.—The Secretary of War orders 5000 more to Vicks-burg.—General Beauregard's Letter to Mr. Sedclon.—Plan of the Cam paign to Redeem Tennessee and Kentucky Submitted to General John ston, after the Battle of Chancellorsville, and after Richmond's Safety is Assured.—Enemy makes a Demonstration in Third Military District.— General Gillmore Assumes Command of Federal Forces.—General Beau-regard Instructed by the War Department to Repair to Mobile witli Part of his Troops.—His Letter to General Cooper.—Colonel Simonton Recommends a Battery at Grimball's. — General Beauregard's Reasons for Objecting to it.— Call for Additional Heavy Guns.— Remonstrance to General Gillmore as to Depredations of his Troops.—General Beau-regard's Letter to the Mayor of Charleston.—The Enemy's Movements on Folly Island.—Preparations for the Attack.—Orders to that Effect.— The Assault takes Place on the 10th of July: is Renewed on the llth and 18th.— Repulse of the Enemy.— General Beauregard Strengthens his Inner Circle of Fortifications.—His Letter to Governor Bonham.— Instructions to General Ripley and other Officers.— Letter to Captain Tucker.—Additional Orders Issued.—Mr. Seddon's Request for Informa tion Concerning the Enemy's Descent on Morris Island.—General Beau-regard's Reply 81

CHAPTER XXXII.

General BeauregarcVs Report of the Operations on Morris Island in July, Au gust, and September.—Number of Effective Troops in the Department on the 7th of April, 1863.—Troops in the First Military District on the 10th of July.—War Department Advised of the Threatening Nature of the En-emv's Preparations.—Withdrawal of Troops from the Department.—Pro test of General Beauregard.—Mr. Seddon's Telegram of the 9th of May. —He is Informed on the 10th of the Erection of the Enemy's Batteries on Folly Island.—General Beauregard's Letter of the llth of May.—Insuffi ciency of his Forces to Resist the Enemy's Movements.—-President Davis Asks Reinforcements for General Johnston.—General Beauregard's An swer.—Different Routes of Approach for Attacking Charleston.—Route bv Morris Island the least Injurious.—Want of Labor and Transportation a Serious Drawback to the Defence. — Inadequate Number of Negroes Furnished.—Attack on the South End of Morris Island.—The Enemy Car ries the Position.—Want of Labor to Fortify, and of Infantry Support, the Cause of Lodgment.—Strong Demonstration against James Island by Way of the Stono.—The Enemy Assaults Battery Wagner on the llth.—Is Re pulsed with Loss.—General Beauregard again Appeals for Negro Labor. —On the Morning of the 16th General Hagood Attacks the Enemy on James Island, and Drives him Back. — The Enemy's Concentration on Little Folly and Morris Islands.—Nine Hundred Shot and Shell Fired at Wagner on the 18th.—The Enemy again Assaults that Night.—His Re pulse Disastrous.—Number of his Dead Buried in Front of Wagner.— Heroic Conduct of the Garrison.—General Beauregard Orders Morris Isl and to be Held at any Cost.—Gorge-wall of Sumter Strengthened.—Flag of Truce from General Gillmore.—James Island Batteries not to Open Fire until their Completion.—No Material Damage Done to Wagner up to the 24th. — General Beauregard Anxiously Waiting for Heavy Guns from Richmond.—Partial Disarmament of Sumter Carried on at Night.—Five Hundred and Ninety-nine Shot Fired at our Different Batteries, on the 30th, in less than Three Hours.—Works not Seriously Harmed.—Interior Harbor Defences Advancing Rapidly.—Enemy Advances his Trenches.— Is Annoyed by Fire from Sumter, Gregg, Wagner, and James Island Bat teries.— General Beauregard on Morris Island.— Sand-bags in Sumter; Covered Way between Batteries Wagner and Gregg.—Effective Force on Morris Island.—The Enemy's Advanced Works on the 10th of August at Six Hundred Yards from Wagner.—The Armament of Sumter Reduced to Thirty-eight Guns and Two Mortars.—Terrific Bombardment.—Weight of Projectiles thrown against the Fort from Thirty to Three Hundred Pounds.—All its Guns Rendered Unserviceable.—Gorge-wall and North west Face greatly Damaged.—The First Bombardment Over.—The Fire on Sumter Slackens on the 24th.—Removal of Ammunition and Ordnance Stores.—Not a Gun in "Working Order at Sumter.—The Enemy's Flag Abreast of South Angle of Wagner.—Preparations for Evacuation.—Gen eral Beauregard's Orders to that Effect,—Troops Withdrawn on the Night

of the Gth of September.—Colonel Keitt in Command at the Time.—Suc cess of the Movement.—Correspondence between Generals Beauregard and Gillmore concerning the Exchange of Prisoners and the Demand of Surrender.—Defence of Sumter and Wagner Page 103

CHAPTER XXXIII.

General Beauregard Desires the Engineers' Reports of the Condition of Fort Sumter.—Conference between Colonel Rhett, the Engineer Officers, and Captain Harleston on the 24th of August.—Additional Report of Colo nels Gilmer and Harris.—General Beauregard Resolves not to Evacuate the Fort, but to Withdraw the Artillery from it, and Make it, for the Time being, an Infantry Post.—His Instructions to General Ripley.—He Recommends Colonel Rhett for Promotion.—Work Done by the Garrison of Sumter.—Gradual Transformation of the Fort.—Colonel Rhett With drawn, with the Artillery Regulars, and Major Elliott Placed in Command, with Infantry Guard.—Instructions Given to General Ripley.—Knowledge of the Enemy's Purpose to Attack Cumniings's Point.—How the "Key" to his Signals was Procured.—Enemy Foiled.—History of the Two Heavy Guns at Battery Wagner.—Admiral Dahlgren Demands the Surrender of Sumter.—General Beauregard's Answer.—Combined Federal Attack on Sumter.—Its Failure.—Major Elliott's Journal.—Important Letters and Instructions of General Beauregard.—President Davis Visits Savannah and Charleston.—Cordial Reception Tendered him in Charleston.—His Address.—His Omission to Mention or Praise the Officers in Command of the Works, of the Military Districts and of the Department.—Slight Reference made in his Book to the Defence of Charleston.—Errors in his Account of the Evacuation of Sumter.—Partial After-correction 144

CHAPTER XXXIV.

General Beauregard Prepares for an Attack upon Charleston.—Instructions Given to General Gilmer.—Attack of the 19th of November upon Fort Sumter.—Orders and Instructions Given by General Beauregard.—Grad ual Cessation of Aggressive Operations by the Federal Commanders.— Plan of Campaign Drawn up by General Beauregard, to be Submitted to the President through the Hon. Pierre Soule.—War Department docs not Take it into Consideration.—Report from Richmond of an Impend ing Movement on the Carolina Coast.—General Beauregard's Letter to General Whiting.—How Lieutenant Glassel Damaged the New Ironsides. —Lieutenant Dixon's Attack with the Torpedo-boat upon the Housatonic. —Loss of the Boat and Crew.—Construction of the Submarine Torpedo-boat.—Its History.—Boats Destroyed by Torpedoes in Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. — Lauding of a Federal Force at Jacksonville. — General Fiuegan Concentrates his Forces. — Arrival of Reinforcements. — Battle of Ocean Pond.—General Fincgan's Report.—What General Beauregard Says of the Battle.—His Difficulties in Sending Troops to Florida.—He

CONTENTS.

Leaves for " Camp Milton."—His Despatches to the War Department.— Cavalry Withdrawn from South Carolina and Georgia.—General Beau-regard Returns to Charleston.—His Instructions Left with General An derson.—He Demands Leave of Absence.—Telegram from War Depart ment Desiring his Co-operation with General Lee. — He Accepts. — He Turns over the Command of the Department to General Samuel Jones. —His Parting Address to the Troops Page 171

CHAPTER XXXV.

Arrival of General Beauregard at Weldon, April 22d.—He Disapproves Oper ations against Plymouth and Newbern.—Predicts Burnside's Attack upon Petersburg, and Advises Concentration of Forces. — Letter of General Bragg.—Alarm of the Authorities in Richmond.—General Butler Beaten off on the Gth and 7th of May.—Recall of Troops.—General Hoke's Junc tion with General Ransom.—General Beauregard Reaches Drury's Bluff. —His Plan to Destroy Butler's and Grant's Forces.—He Submits it to General Bragg.—The Latter Approves, but will not Consent without the President's Ratification.—President Davis Visits Drury's Bluff.—Refuses his Consent.—General Beauregard's Command is Extended.—Pie Forms a Plan of Attack.—Narrative of the Battle of Drury's Bluff.—Failure of General Whiting to Arrive in Time.—General Wise's Comments upon him.—He Resigns his Command.—Errors of Mr. Davis..., . 195

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Withdrawal of Troops from General Beauregard.—Repulse of the Enemy on May 17th.—Construction of Howlett Line Fortifications.—Military Situa tion.—The War Department withdraws more Troops from General Beau-regard to Reinforce General Lee.—Attack of Gillmore's Corps.—General Wise's Account of it.—General Beauregard's Telegram to General Bragg (June 7th).—His Letter to the Same (June 9th).—Predicts General Grant's Movements, and Proposes a Plan of Attack and Defence to the War De partment.—His Proposals not Heeded.—General Grant's Army Crossing the James.—General Beauregard Telegraphs Generals Lee and Bragg to that Effect.—His Force at Petersburg.—Attack by Smith's Corps on the 15th.—Arrival of Hagood's Brigade, of Hokc's Division.—General Beaure gard Notifies the War Department and General Lee of the Necessity of Calling Bushrod Johnson from the Bermuda Hundred Lines.—War De partment Declines the Responsibility, but Blames General Beauregard.— Johnson's Arrival.—Three Federal Corps Assault Petersburg on the 16th. —Repulse of the Enemy.—How General Gracie Arrived and Saved the Line from Destruction.—General Beauregard's Telegrams and Messages to General Lee.—A New Defensive Line.—How General Beauregard Fell Back upon it, at 12.30 A.M., on the 18th.—The Enemy's Surprise thereat. —Mr. Swinton, Mr. McCabe, and Mr. J. E. Cooke.—Their Errors as to the Time of the Arrival of General Lee's Army at Petersburg.—General Lee's

Telegrams. — Kersliaw's Division of the Army of Northern Virginia Reaches Petersburg on the Morning of the 18th.—The Enemy's Assault on that Day.—His Repulse.—General Lee's Arrival.—General Beauregard Proposes an Attack on General Grant's Left and. Rear.—General Lee Ob jects. — The War Department's Disregard of General Beauregard's Re quisitions and Warnings Page 222

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Unconquerable Spirit of our Troops around Petersburg.—Tribute to the Ladies of that City.—Southern Women.—Quietude of the Federal Army after June 18th. — General Meade Intrenches.—What General Badeau Says of the Failure to Capture Petersburg. — His Comments upon the Late Arrival of General Lee's Army.—How General Beauregard Saved the City.—Inaction of General Meade's Army.—Erroneous Explanation of it by General Badeau.—General Beauregard's Comprehension of the Depression of the Enemy.—He Proposes an Immediate Attack.—General Grant's Words.—The Siege of Petersburg.—Criticism of the Confederate Line of Intrenchments. — Denial that General Lee Consulted General Mali one Concerning the Location of the Line.—Details of General Beau-regard's Proposed Attack upon the Federal Army.—General Lee Fears that the Topography of the Country will Interfere with the Movements of the Troops.—Consults General Mahone with Reference to the Position of " Second Swamp " and the Railroad Cuts.—General Lee Refuses to Make the Attack.—Reasons for Holding to the Jerusalem Plank Road Line. — That Line Maintained until the Close of the War.—Untrust-worthiness of Southern Historians on this Point 248

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

After the IStli of June General Beauregard is no longer in Command of the Army around Petersburg.—Enemy's Raids to Interrupt our Communica tions.— No Material Advantage Gained. — Completion of Confederate Lines.—General Beauregard's Forces Occupy Works in Front of Peters-burgh.—Rumors Concerning the Mine.—The Salients upon General Beau-regard's Lines.—He Orders Countermines, and Establishes Batteries Com manding Exposed Points.—His Instructions to the Officers there Posted. —Elliott's Salient the Point Selected by the Enemy.—Mining Commenced on the 25tli of June, and Completed on the 23d of July.—When the Ex plosion took Place.—The Federal Column of Assault: how Composed. —Denudemeut of Confederate Lines in Consequence of the Threatened Movement of the Enemy North of the James.—Bushrod Johnson's Divis ion.—Its Position along the Works.—Elliott's Brigade.—General Elliott Wounded.—Colonel McMaster.—General Beauregard in Front.—His Or ders Carried out.—Is Present with General Lee, pending the Action.— Prompt and Accurate Firing of the Confederate Troops.—Raking Fire of their Batteries.—The Enemy Demoralized.—Is Unable to Advance.—

His Critical Position.—General Grant Acknowledges the Impossibility of Success.—Suggests the Order to Withdraw.—General Meade Issues it.—• Arrival of General Mahone with Part of his Division.—Throws Forward his Brigade.—North Carolina and South Carolina Regiments Join in the Movement.—Separate Action of Wright's Brigade.—Its Repulse.—Com bined Attack under Generals Mahone and Johnson.—Slight Resistance on the Part of the Enemy.—Crater and Lines Abandoned by the Feder als.— Ours and the Enemy's Loss. — General Badeau's Opinion of this Affair Page 256

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Divers Operations of Federal Columns.—General Hancock's Expedition.— General Warren's.—The Charge made by General Hagood's Brigade.— Defeat of General Hancock's Corps by Generals Hill and Hampton.—In significant Command Given to General Beauregard.—His Dissatisfaction. —General Whiting Requests him to Inspect the Works at Wilmington. —General Lee Thinks General Beauregard will be Given Command of Northwest Georgia.—He is Ordered to Charleston, to Examine into a Difficulty between Generals Jones and Ripley. — Finds the Department much Disorganized. — His Interview with President Davis at Augusta. —The Latter Details to him General Hood's Plan of Campaign.—Gen eral Beauregard Approves it.—President Davis Decides to Give General Beauregard the Military Division of the West.—General Beauregard Ac cepts.—He Leaves for General Hood's Headquarters.—His Communica tion to General Cooper.—General Hood Demands, but docs not Secure, the Surrender of Resaca 271

CHAPTER XL.

General Beauregard Assumes Command of the Military Division of the West. —The Departments Comprised in this Division.—Circular Addressed to that Section of the Confederacy.—Telegrams from Generals Roddy and Forrest.—General Beauregard Establishes a Base of Operations at Jack sonville.— Anecdote of a Young Soldier. — General Hood Resolves to Continue the Destruction of General Sherman's Communications, and to Cross the Tennessee River at Guutersville.—General Beauregard Approves the Plan, but Fears it will not be Successfully Executed.—General Hood Persists.—Reluctant Assent, of General Beauregard.—Similarity between General Hood's Plan of Campaign and President Davis's.—General Beau-regard's Communication to the War Department, October 24th.—Tele gram to General Cooper.—General Hood Moves on October 22d.—Diffi culties of Making Change of Base to Tuscumbia.—General Beauregard Leaves on October 24th, to Rejoin General Hood.—General Hood Changes his Line of March.—Failure to Seize Decatur.—General Hood again Alters his Plan.—His Army too Destitute of Provisions to Cross into Tennessee.—General Bcaurcgard's Chagrin.—He Proposes Crossing the River with the Troops, and then leaving General Hood in sole Com mand... .. 283

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XLL

Arrival of General Hood's Army at Tuscumbia, October 30th.—General Beau-regard Requests a Summary of his Plans of Future Operations.—Request not Complied with.—General Beauregard Inspects the Banks of Tennes see River.—Advises an Address to the People of Tennessee. — Heavy Rains Begin on the 2d of November.—General Hood takes up his Head quarters at Florence on the 10th.—Telegrams to the War Department.— Telegram of General Forrest.—Letter of General Beauregard to General Cooper.—Advice to General Hood Concerning the Disorderly Conduct of Scouts.—Despatch from General Taylor.—Further Advance of the Enemy.—Procrastination of General Hood.—He Declines to send Cavalry to Support General Wheeler.—General Beauregard Urges him to Greater Activity.—General Beauregard Leaves Tuscumbia for Corinth.—Again Urges an Immediate Advance. — Leaves Corinth for Macon. — General Hood Moves on the 21st of November.—The Enemy Falls Back.—Attack of his Works in Front of Franklin.—Our Loss Severe.—Letter to General Beauregard from President Davis.—Comments upon it.—General Beaure gard Leaves for Augusta.—His Letter of December 6th to the President. —Inadmissibility of the Plea that Mr. Davis Lacked Timely Notice of General Hood's Proposed Movements Page 295

CHAPTER XLII.

General Beauregard's Effort to Reinforce General Hood by Drawing Troops from the Trans-Mississippi Department.—His Communication to General E. Kirby Smith.—He Urges that Two or more Divisions be Sent to the Army of Tennessee, or that a Diversion be Made towards Missouri.—His Advice as to Best Method of Crossing.—War Department Authorizes Call upon General E. K. Smith.—General Beauregard Leaves for Charleston.—He again Presses General E. K. Smith to Forward his Troops.—The Latter Considers the Attempt Impracticable.—No Steps taken to Carry out the Movement.—General Beauregard Arrives in Charleston.—lie visits Sa vannah on the 9th of December, and Consults with General Hardee as to the Defence of the City.—Returns to Charleston.—Letter to President Davis.—Detailed Orders to General Hardee.—Second Visit to Savannah. —General Sherman Demands the Surrender of the City on the 17th of December.—His Demand Refused.—Preparations for Evacuation.—Gen eral Beauregard's Confidential Circular.—He Goes to Pocotaligo.—Sends Memorandum of Orders to General Hardee.—Successful Evacuation of Savannah.—Want of Transportation for Troops.—General Beauregard in Charleston on the 22d of December.—Prepares new Defensive Lines.— His Presence Required by General Hood.—He Applies to be Relieved of the Command of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.—Request Granted.—His Last Letter to General Hardee.—He Leaves for Mont gomery 308

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XLIII.

General Hood Desires General Beauregard to Visit the Army of Tennessee.— Despatches Concerning General Cheatham.—General Beauregard's Inabil ity to go to General Hood's Assistance.—The Disaster at Nashville.—Gen eral Beauregard's Great Anxiety.—He is Again Urged to go to the West. —He Telegraphs the "War Department for Authority to Place General Taylor in Command of the Army of Tennessee, if Necessary.—The War Department Approves.—General Beauregard Starts for Corinth.—His In structions to General Hardee.—Reaches Macon on the 6th of January.— Confers with General Cobb.—Suggests Advisability of Restoring General J. E. Johnston to his Former Command.—Despatch from General Hood Stating that the Army had Recrossed the Tennessee River.—He Again Calls on General Beauregard.—Urges One Hundred Days' Furlough for the Trans-Mississippi Troops.—The Idea Disapproved by the War Depart ment and by General Beauregard.—Troops from the Army of Tennessee Sent to the Assistance of General Hardee.—General S. D. Lee's Corps, under Stevenson, goes First.—Shattered Condition of the Army.—General Hood Asks to be Relieved of his Command.—Lieut.-General Taylor Ap pointed in his Stead.—General Hood's Farewell Circular to his Troops.— General Taylor Assumes Command.—General Beauregard Visits Mobile January 21st.—He Inspects all the Works.—Leaves for Augusta.—The Enemy Believed to be Advancing on that City. — General Beauregard Gives his Attention to all the Threatened Points of his Vast Depart ment Page 325

CHAPTER XLIV.

Generals Beauregard and Ilardee Meet, by Appointment, at Augusta.—They Hold a Conference at Green's Cut Station with Generals D. H. Hill and G. W. Smith.—Military Situation as there Developed, and Plan Adopted and Forwarded to the War Department, with General Beauregard's En dorsement.— Disappointment as to the Number of Troops. — Order to General Stevenson.— Enemy begins his Forward Movement on 1st of February. — Disposition of his Forces on the March.—General Beaure gard's Plan for Opposing him.—He Advises Concentration at Columbia, and Abandonment of Sea-coast Cities and Towns.—His Plan of Opera tions, if Aided by the Government.—Ordered to Resume the Command of General Hardee's Department.—General Beauregard's Instructions to General Wheeler. — Telegram to General Cooper.—Tardiness of General Hardee in Evacuating Charleston.—General Beauregard in Columbia.— Confers with General Hampton and the Mayor.—General Hardee's Anx iety.—General Beauregard Goes again to Charleston.—Finds no Definite Steps Taken for the Evacuation.—His Instructions to General Hardee.— Despatches to General Lee.—Returns to Columbia.—General Beauregard Orders Quartermaster and Commissary of Subsistence to Remove Stores

CONTENTS.

from that City.—General Hardee becomes 111.—His Command Turned Over to General McLaws.—General Beauregard's Telegrams to General Lee Page 336

CHAPTER XLV.

The Enemy Crosses Broad River on the 16th of February.—General Beaure gard Orders the Evacuation of Columbia.—It is Effected on the 17th.— General Beauregard's Arrival at Riclgeway.—His Despatches to the Wai-Department.—General Hampton's Plan to Oppose the Advance of the En emy.—General Beauregard Goes to White Oak.—His Letter to General Lee.—He Reaches Chesterville.—His Telegram to President Davis Urg ing Concentration.—Remarks upon General Badeau's Interpretation of this Telegram.—Apprehension of the Enemy upon this Point.—Reasons upon which General Beauregard Founded his Advice.—His Arrival at Charlotte on the 22d.—General Lee's Despatch Giving Command of the Southern Army to General Johnston.—Impossibility of Beating Back Sherman without Reinforcements.—General Lee's Despatch to the Secretary of War. — Comments thereon.—What Colonel Taylor (Lee's Adjutant) Thought of the Necessity for Concentration.—General Beauregard's Plan the only Wise One.—General Johnston Assumes Command.—His View of the Situation.—General Beauregard's Answer to General Lee.—Arrival of General Johnston at Charlotte on the 24th.—Sherman's Line of March after Destroying Columbia.—Fall of Fort Fisher.—General Bragg Re treats to Goldsboro'.—His Tardy Junction with General Johnston.— Wisdom of General Beauregard's Plan Vindicated 352

CHAPTER XLVI.

General Sherman's Preconceived Determination to have Columbia Burned.— His Denial.—His Despatch to General Halleck, Showing his Intent.— Contradictions Contained in his Hartford Speech.—General Hampton's Advice not to Burn the Cotton in Columbia.—General Beauregard of the same Opinion.—Orders to that effect Issued on the 16th of February.— Statement of Generals Beauregard, Hampton, and Butler.—Surrender of the City.—How it was Pillaged.—Signal Thrown up at 8 P. M. —Outbreak of the Fire.—Vain Efforts by the Citizens to Arrest its Progress.—General Sherman's Connivance in the Plan.—Testimony of General Howard.— Admission by General Sherman that his Troops Burned Columbia.—The City Destroyed.—Orders of General Sherman in the Morning to Arrest the Fire and Pillage.—Letters of General Wade Hampton 365

CHAPTER XLVII.

General Hardee's Despatch of the 3d of March to General Johnston.—His Despatch of the 4th.—Failure to Follow General Beauregard's Instruc-

tions.—General Hampton Forms a Junction with General Hardee on the 10th.—General Hardee Retires towards Averysboro'.—General Sherman's Entire Army Marching on Goldsboro'.—General Johnston at Smithfield.— Is Attacked on the 15th, near Averysboro', by two Federal Corps.—Enemy Repulsed. — General Hardee Falls Back towards Smithfield. — General Johnston Determines to Attack General Sherman's Exposed Flank.— Battle of Bentonville.—Success of the Confederates.—Distinguished Con duct of Troops of the Army of Tennessee. — Number of General John ston's Troops at the Battle of Bentonville.—Confederate Loss. — Probable Loss of the Enemy.—Junction on the 24th of Generals Sherman and Scho-field. — General Beauregard Repairs to Smithfield on the 25th.—On the 26th he Returns to Raleigh.—His Various Telegrams, Suggestions, and Orders. — General Johnston's Despatch to him of the 30th of March. — General Beauregard Declines the Command of Western Virginia and East Tennessee.— Various and Contradictory Reports of Threatened Raids by Stoneman's and Grierson's Commands.—General Beauregard Determines to Repair to Greensboro' Pufje 375

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Strength of the Federal Army at Goldsboro'. — General Sherman's Reasons for Remaining there Two Weeks.—Position of the Confederate Forces.—Gen eral Beauregard's Command Extended on the 1st of April.—Dispositions Taken by him. — General Lee's Withdrawal from Petersburg.— Evacua tion of Richmond. — General Beauregard Returns to Greensboro'.—Re ceives Despatches from Mr. Davis on the 4th and 5th.—Goes Back to Raleigh on the 7th, and to Smithfield on the 8th.—The President Urges him to Come to Danville.—Surrender of General Lee's Army. — President Davis Goes to Greensboro'.—General Beauregard Awaits him there.—In terview between them on the llth.— President Davis's Despatches of that Day. — General Beauregard's Orders to Generals Lomax, Walker, and Bradley Johnson.—President Davis Summons General Johnston to Greensboro'. — He Arrives on the 12th. — Conference between the Presi dent, his Cabinet, and the Two Generals.—General Johnston Reluctantly Authorized to Treat with General Sherman. — General Johnston Forwards Letter to General Sherman on the 14th.—Incident Mentioned of Silver Coin Transferred to General Beauregard.—General Sherman's Answer to General Johnston.—Troops Ordered to Halt at all Points.—General Beau-regard's Suggestion to General Johnston concerning Negotiations.—Gen eral Breckinridge Present on the Second Day of the Conference.—Agree ment Entered into between Generals Johnston and Sherman on the 18th. —General Breckinridge Communicates Paper to President Davis. — His Delay in Answering. — Letter of General Breckinridge to President Davis. —His Final Answer to General Johnston.—Despatches from General Sher man. —Death of President Lincoln.—What the South Thought of it. — General Breckinridge's Telegram of April 24th.—General Johnston's An-

swer.—Negotiation Renewed between Generals Johnston and Sherman.— They Meet Again at Durham's Station.—Terms Agreed upon, April 26th. —General Johnston Ignorant of the Whereabouts of President Davis.— Responsibility of Concluding Terms Thrown upon Generals Johnston and Beauregard.—President Davis's Efforts to Organize a Cavalry Escort.— Circular of General Johnston to his Army on April 27th Page 384

CHAPTER XLIX.

General Beauregard Completes his Last Official Duties.—Turns his Thoughts Homeward.—Names of the Officers Serving on his Staff.—His Efforts dur ing the War to Obtain Promotion for Deserving Staff-officers.—His Tele gram to General Cooper, April 28th.—General Cooper's Reply.—Promo tion Demanded for other Meritorious Officers, but Granted for Two only. —Abandoned Box-car at the Depot at Greensboro' containing Confeder ate Archives.—General Beauregard Forwards it to Charlotte.—He Starts to Return Home on the 1st of May.—Expedients Employed to Defray his Expenses on the Journey.—Instance Given to Show the Patriotism of the Southern People.—General Beauregard Reaches Newberry, S. C., on May 5th.—He bids Adieu to those Members of his Staff who were from South Carolina.—His Parting Visit to Governor Pickens.—He Passes through Augusta, Atlanta, West Point, and Montgomery, reaching Mobile on the 19th.—Is Impressed by the Depression of the People.—How General Sher man could have been Checked and Defeated.—General Beauregard Avoids the Visits of Confederate Officers and Men while in Mobile.—Leaves for New Orleans.—Arrives on the 20th of May at the Pontchartrain End of the Railroad, Five Miles from the City.—Is Informed of Crowds Waiting to Greet him.—Endeavors to Avoid all Public Demonstrations.—Is Wel comed at every Step.—Reaches Home at Sunset 408

CHAPTER L.

Management of the Confederate Administration. — Importation of Arms.— Permitted under International Law. — Blockade Ineffective the First Year.—Federal Government Obtained all Arms Wanted from Abroad.— Failure of Confederate Government in that Respect.—Inefficiency of the Agent.—No Arms Forwarded during 1861.—Administration Occupied with Manufacturing Arms at Home.—Nitre Beds.—Purchase of a Navy.— Ten First-class Steamers Offered to the Confederate Government in May, 1861.— Offer Declined.—Attempts to Build Ironclads, and late Obtain-ment of a Few Ships.—Object not to Raise the Blockade, but to Assail the Federal Mercantile Marine. — Efforts Inefficient. — Financial Opera tions.—Sale of Time Bonds in Europe Secured by Cotton, our True Re source.—$75,000,000 Offered to the Confederates in London and Paris for Time Bonds Secured by Cotton.—Administration Resorted to Constant Issue of Treasury Notes, not Redeemed.—Compulsory Funding in Bonds.

—Destroyed Credit of Confederate States.—Diplomacy.—Consisted of Arguments about Rights and Dependence of England on American Cot ton.—Confederate Administration Made no Oflfer of Commercial Advan tages by Treaty.—Low Duties and Navigation Laws.—No Diplomacy.— Defence of Territory, Population, and Supplies.—Progressive Losses.— Effect on Public Opinion and Feeling.—Confederate Conscription, in stead of State Troops. — Impressment Makeshifts, instead of Efficiency in Commissary and Quartermaster Departments.—Causes Concurring to Produce a Disastrous End.—The South after the War. — Present Atti tude in the Union.—The Future in Store.—Memory of the Late Strug gle Page 416

APPENDICES 435

INDEX... .. 481

MILITARY OPERATIONS

OF

GENERAL BEAUREGARD

CHAPTER XXYI.

Effort made to Obtain a Suitable Command for General Beauregard.—He is Assigned to Duty in South Carolina and Georgia.—He reaches Charles ton on the loth of September.—Unpopularity of General Peniberton.— Pleasure of the City and State Authorities at General Beauregard's Su perseding him.—Loss of General Beauregard's Papers of this Period of the War.—General Beauregard's Tour of Inspection throughout his De partment.—Criticism of the Lines of Works as Constructed by General Peniberton. — General Beauregard's Regret at the Abandonment of the Exterior System of Coast Defences.—Interior Lines most Defective.— General Long Attributes these Lines to General R. E. Lee. — Error of General Long.—General Peniberton's Estimates of the Minimum Forces Necessary for the Defence of Charleston.—General Beauregard Assumes Command September 24th.—General Pemberton given Command of De partment of the Mississippi.—Conference of Officers on the 29th.—Mat ters Discussed by them.—General Beauregard begins the Armament of Forts and the Erection of Fortifications.—Anchorage of Boom in the Main Channel.—Alteration made by General Beauregard in the Position of the Heavy Guns.—Enemy Attack on St. John's River.—Unprepared Condition of the Third Military District.—Letter to Colonel Walker.— General Beauregard's System of Signal Stations. — Its Usefulness and Success.

WHEN it was learned in Richmond that General Beauregard had reported for duty a strong effort was made to obtain for him a command suitable to his rank. A personal friend of his, the Hon. C. J. Yillere,-" on September 1st, telegraphed him as fol lows : " Would you prefer the Trans-Mississippi to Charleston ?"

* Member of Congress from Louisiana, and brother-in-law to General Beau-regard.

His characteristic reply was: "Have no preference to express. Will go wherever ordered. Do for the best."

The War Department had already issued orders assigning him to duty in South Carolina and Georgia, with head-quarters at! Charleston ; but he did not become aware of the fact until the 10th of September.* He left the next day for his new field of action, and, in a telegram apprising General Cooper of his de parture, asked that copies of his orders and instructions should be sent to meet him in Charleston.

Thus it is shown that the petition to President Davis, spoken of in the preceding chapter, was presented while General Beaure gard was on his way to his new command, in obedience to orders from Richmond, and that he knew nothing of the step then being taken in his behalf.

Charleston was a familiar spot to General Beauregard, and one much liked and appreciated by him. With the certainty he now had of not being reinstated in his former command, no other ap pointment could have given him so much pleasure. He arrived there.on the 15th of September, and received a warm and cordial greeting both from the people and from the authorities. It was evident that grave apprehensions were felt for the safety of the city—"that cradle of the rebellion," as it was called b}^ the North ern press. And all the more was General Beauregard welcomed to Charleston because General Pemberton, whom he was to re lieve, did not enjoy the confidence and esteem of the Carolinians. General Pemberton was a brave and zealous officer, but was want ing in polish, and was too positive and domineering in manner to suit the sensitive and polite people among whom he had been thrown. He commenced his administration of affairs there by removing the guns from Cole's Island, and opening the Stono River to the invasion of the Federal fleet and army; after which there was no quiet for Charleston.

Two unfortunate circumstances had further contributed to the distrust of General Pemberton. Shortly before General Beau-regard's arrival he had proclaimed martial law in the city of Charleston without authority, it was alleged, from the President, and contrary to the wishes of the Governor of the State. This added to his unpopularity. He had also officially advised the

* See General Cooper's despatch, in the Appendix to this chapter.

abandonment of the whole coast-line of defences, and commenced preparations therefor.* This was done in apprehension of the attack of the new monitors and ironclads, highly extolled at that time by all the Northern newspapers. This act had so exasper ated the State and city authorities that Governor Pickens had written to the War Department, demanding the immediate re moval of General Pemberton. He had also telegraphed to Gen eral Beauregard, requesting him to come again " to fight our batteries." His despatch ended thus: "We must now defend Charleston. Please come, as the President is willing—at least for

' O

the present. Answer." And, as has been already shown, Gen eral Beauregard, believing that such a transfer would take him permanently from Department No. 2 and his army at Tupelo, declined to accept Governor Pickens's proposal.f

In writing upon this phase of the war we are met by two serious obstacles: first, the necessity of condensing: into a few

t/ O

chapters a narrative of events which of itself would furnish ma terial for a separate work; second, the loss of most of General Beauregard's official papers, from September, 186,2, to April, 1864; in other words, all those that referred to the period during which he remained in command of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It may be of interest to tell how that loss occurred.

When, in the spring of 1864, General Beauregard was ordered to Virginia, to assist General Lee in the defence of Richmond, he sent to General Howell Cobb, at Macon, for safe-keeping, all his official books and papers collected since his departure from the West. After the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston's army at Greensboro', North Carolina, in April, 1865, he tele graphed General Cobb to forward these important documents to Atlanta, through which city he knew he would have to pass on his way to Louisiana. They never reached that point. General Wilson, commanding the Federal cavalry in Georgia, took pos session of them while in transitu to Atlanta, with a portion of General Beauregard's personal baggage. Immediate efforts were made to secure their restoration, but in vain: baggage and papers

* Sec, in Appendix, General Thomas Jordan's letter on the subject. t Governor Pickens's despatch, here alluded to, and General Beauregard's answer, were given in the Appendix to the preceding chapter.

were sent to Washington by order, it was said, of Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War. At a later date General Beauregard succeeded in recovering his baggage; but, despite his endeavors and the promise of high Federal officials, he could not get his papers. These were finally placed in the War Records office, and through the attention of the gentlemanly officers in charge he has been able to procure such copies of them as were indispensable for the purposes of this work. We are credibly informed that military papers and documents belonging to General A. S. Johnston, and embracing only six or seven months of the beginning of the war, were bought, a few years ago, from his heirs for the sum of ten thousand dollars; while General Beauregard's papers, relating to upwards of twenty months of a most interesting part of our struggle, are kept and used by the Government with no lawful claim to them and in violation, as we hold, of the articles of sur render agreed upon by Generals Johnston and Sherman. We may add that General Beauregard is not only deprived of his property, but is forced to pay for copies of his own papers whenever the necessity arises to make use of them.

General Pemberton was anxious to turn over his command to General Beauregard, but the latter would not accept it until he had examined, in company with that officer, all the important points and defences of the Department as it then stood. Accord ingly, on the 16th of September, they began a regular tour of in spection which lasted until the 21st. They were, at that date, in Savannah. On the 21th, having returned to Charleston, Gen eral Beauregard went through the usual formality of assuming command.

The result of his inspection is given in his official notes, to be found in the Appendix to the present chapter. lie made his re port as favorable as possible, and was not over-critical, especially in matters of engineering, as he well knew his predecessor had but a limited knowledge of that branch of the service, and had, besides, no experienced military engineer to assist him. Many changes, it was apparent to General Beauregard, were necessary, and he determined to effect them as soon as circumstances should permit.

It may not be out of place to mention here some of the defen sive works constructed under General Pemberton's orders.

He had adopted a line from Sccessionville, on the east, guard-

ing the water approaches of Light-House Inlet, to Fort Pembcr-ton, up the Stono River—a distance of fully five miles—thus giving up to the enemy, for his offensive operations, a large ex tent of James Island. General Beauregard subsequently reduced that long and defective line to two and a quarter miles, from Secessionville to Fort Pringle, on the Stono, four miles below Fort Pemberton. This was not only a much shorter line, but a stronger and more advantageous one, as it greatly reduced the space the enemy could occupy in any hostile movement from the Stono.

In the defensive line originally constructed by General Pern-bcrton the infantry cover had been put in front of his redoubts and redans, and the redans were before the redoubts; so that, when the lines were held by the infantry, the guns of the re doubts and redans could not be used, as the country there was perfectly level on all sides. Again, the redans, being in front of the redoubts, masked the fire of the latter—thus completely re versing Rogniart's system of field-works, which requires that redans should be in rear of and between redoubts, and the infan try cover in rear of both—thus leaving the artillery fire free, and the infantry in supporting distance, unexposed, and ready, if re quired, to repel any assault made upon the works.

On Morris Island, south of Sumter, an important position, a small open battery was commenced, distant about three-quarters of a mile south of Cumrnings's Point, and a mile and a half from Fort Sumter. It ran from the sea to Vincent Creek, on a very narrow part of the island, but had no guns bearing on the outer harbor, or ship-channel, as it was called. General Beauregard had that work considerably enlarged, gave it a bastioned front, closed its gorge or rear, added enormous bomb-proofs and trav erses to it, and mounted several heavy guns pointing to the sea, or outer harbor. Indeed, he made it so strong that it successfully withstood, during some fifty-eight days, the heaviest land and naval attacks known in history.

On Sullivan's Island, north of Sumter, was old Fort Moultrie, and half a mile east of it Battery Beauregard, planned by General Beauregard and by him ordered to be built, as early as April, 1861. There were also three or four other batteries, west of Moultrie, some of which had taken a part in the attack on Fort Sumter at the opening of the war. A small work had likewise

been commenced by General Pemberton on the extreme cast of the island, which General Beauregard afterwards increased con siderably, building besides four detached batteries between it and Battery Beauregard, to prevent a landing of the enemy's force in that quarter, though the danger of such an occurrence was much less than on Morris Island, in front of which was a good roadstead, where the Federal fleet lay till the end of the war.*

In his first conference with General Pemberton, General Beau-regard learned, with surprise and regret, that the system of const defences he had devised in April, 1861, had been entirely aban doned, because of the anticipated attack of Federal monitors and ironclads, not yet completed; and that an interior system of de fences, requiring much additional labor, armament, and expense, had been adopted, which opened many vulnerable points to an energetic and enterprising enemy. Arid yet, incredible as it may appear, this is the system which an over-zealous admirer of Gen eral Lee, and a former member of his staff, General A. L. Long,f lias been injudicious enough to attribute—no less than the other defences of South Carolina—to that distinguished Confederate general and engineer. If it were not that the utter insignificance of General Long's unsubstantiated statements shuts them out from serious notice, we could easily point out many unpardonable errors into which he has fallen; but the mere recital of what General Beauregard accomplished after his arrival in that De partment, and the production of evidence, not drawn from imag ination but from facts in its support, will satisfy the reader's mind and amply meet the requirements of history.

General Thomas Jordan, the able chief of staff, who so faith fully served in that capacity under General Beauregard from the first battle of Manassas to the latter part of April, 186-1, has forci bly exposed what he very aptly terms " the wholly erroneous and wrongful conclusions" of General Lon^ in regard to the sea-coast

O O v^

and other defences of South Carolina and Georgia. We quote the following passage from his reply to General Long:

* See General Beanregard's report of the defence of Morris Island in July, August, and September, 1863.

t See, in vol. i., No. 2, February, 187G, " Southern Historical Society Pa pers," General Long's article, entitled " Sea-coast Defences of South Carolina and Georgia, 1 ' page 103.

" Pemberton, us I have always understood, had materially departed from General Lee's plan of defensive works for the Department. Be that so or not, the system which Beauregard found established upon the approaches to Charleston and Savannah he radically changed with all possible energy. * * * And so comprehensive were these changes that, had General Long chanced to visit those two places and the intermediate lines about the first day of July, 1863, he would have been sorely puzzled to point out, in all the results of engineering skill which must have met and pleased his eyes in the Department, any trace of what he had left there something more than one year before." *

But General Long clung to his error. Instead of acknowledg-

£5 cD O

ing the injustice he had committed, he wrote and forwarded to the " Southern Historical Society Papers " a second article, where in, after declaring his intention not to recede from his former statement, he ventures upon the following extraordinary asser tion :

"It is well known that after being battered down during a protracted siege, Fort Sumter was remodelled, and rendered vastly stronger than it had previously been, by the skilful hand of General Gilmer, Chief of the Confed erate Engineer Corps, and that various points were powerfully strengthened to resist the formidable forces that threatened them."f

This stress laid upon Fort Sumter shows General Long's nar row appreciation of the subject. But as to Fort Sumter itself, General Gilmer had nothing to do with the remodelling of its battered walls, nor with the preparation and strengthening of the defences in and around Charleston and its harbor; nor has he ever made any such claim. The fact is, that he only reported for duty in that Department about the middle of August, 1863, short ly before the evacuation of Morris Island, which occurred on the 7th of September. At that time the works in South Carolina and Georgia were already planned, and in process of construction, almost all of them being entirely completed. General Gilmer was an educated Engineer, doubtless worthy of the rank lie held in the Confederate service; and no one denies that, had General Lee been sent to Charleston, in the fall of 1862, instead of Gen eral Beauregard, he would have been equal to the task faid out

* General Jordan's letter to the Rev. J. W. Jones, in vol. i., No. C, June, 1876, " Southern Historical Society Papers," page 403.

t General Long's second article, " Southern Historical Society Papers, 1 ' vol. ii., No. 1, July, 1876, p. 239.

before him. What is alleged is—and the proof in support is derived from the unvarying testimony of facts—that it was Gen eral Beauregard, and not General Lee, who conceived and built the "impenetrable barrier," which, as General Long truthfully says, defeated the plans of " the combined Federal forces oper ating on the coast" of South Carolina and Georgia.

General Lon^ had forgotten that General Beauregard was the

O O O

first Confederate general sent to Charleston, and that he was, in fact, at that time, the only Confederate general in existence; that after he had taken Fort Sumter, and while it was being rehabil itated, he made, as early as 1861, by request of Governor Pick-ens, a thorough reconnoissance of the South Carolina coast, from Charleston to Port Royal; that he recommended, in a memoir written to that effect, the erection of important works at the mouths of the Stono, the two Edistos, and Georgetown Harbor.* But General Long further fails to remember that the different points he mentions as having particularly fixed General Lee's attention—the "most threatened points"—when he (December, 1861) assumed command of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (namely, the Stono, the Edisto, the Comba-hee, Coosawhatchie, the sites opposite Hilton Head, on the Broad, on the Salkahatchie, etc.) were not, after all, the points actually attacked by the united land and naval forces of the enemy—were not the sites of the "impenetrable barrier" against which the combined efforts of Admiral Dahlsren and General Gillmore were

o

fruitlessly made. The real barrier that stopped them, and through which they could never break, consisted in the magnificent works on James, Sullivan's, and Morris Islands, and in different parts of the Charleston Harbor, and in the city proper—all due to the engineering capacity of General Beauregard, who conceived and executed them.

Unreflecting friends arc worse at times than avowed enemies. They often belittle instead of elevating the object of their predi lection. Groundless and fanciful praise of this kind could only lead to doubt of their subject's claim to merit in other matters. even where it is a just one. General Lee's reputation rests upon a more solid foundation than such formal eulogies, and he needs no borrowed laurels. The attempt of General Long to deprive

* For further details on this subject see Chapter V. of this book.

General Beauregard of his due in this instance is certainly not justifiable.

Before relieving General Pemberton, General Beauregard called on him for an estimate of the minimum forces, of all arms, in his opinion essential for a successful defence of Charleston and its dependencies, of the District of South Carolina, of Savannah and its dependencies, and of the District of Georgia.

This was the estimate furnished. It bore date September 24th, 1862:

Seven companies of cavalry, three batteries of artillery, and three companies of infantry, for the defence of Georgetown and "Winyaw Bay, and to prevent marauding, were also mentioned in General Pemberton's estimate.f

General Beauregard adopted this estimate as a basis for his future calculations, and on that day assumed command in an or der which ran as follows :

"HEADQUARTERS, DEPT. S. C. & GA., CHARLESTON, Sept. 24M, 1862.

" I assume command of this Department pursuant to Paragraph XV., Spe cial Orders No. 202, Adjutant and Inspector-General's Office, Richmond, August 29th, 1862. All existing orders will remain in force until otherwise directed from the headquarters.

" In entering upon my duties, which may involve at an early day the de fence of two of the most important cities in the Confederate States against the most formidable efforts of our powerful enemy, I shall rely on the ardent

* See General Beauregard's letter to that effect, Appendix to this chapter. t See General Pemberton's letter, in Appendix to this chapter.

patriotism, the intelligence, and unconquerable spirit of the officers and men under my command to sustain me successfully. But to maintain our posts with credit to our country and our own honor, and avoid irremediable dis aster, it is essential that all shall yield implicit obedience to any orders ema nating from superior authority.

" Brigadier-General Thomas Jordan is announced as Adjutant and Inspector-General, and Chief of Staff of the Department.

" G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding. "Official.

" THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff, aud A. A. G. "Official.

" J. J. STODDAKD, A. D. C."

General Pembcrton was regularly relieved on the same day, and, in obedience to orders, repaired to Richmond, where, shortly afterwards, he was made a lieutenant-general, and, to the aston ishment of all men, even the President's own partisans, sent to take command of the Department of the Mississippi, with head quarters at Yicksburg, one of the most important posts in the South.

General Pemberton, as was well known, had not been engaged in any of the battles or actions of the war. lie had not been under fire, and was looked upon not only as a new man but as an officer of little merit. He had accompanied General Lee to the Department of South Carolina and Georgia, with the rank of brigadier-general, and had succeeded him some time in Decem ber, 1SG1, receiving additional promotion soon afterwards, for he was made a major-general in January of the following year. Thus, in scarcely more than a year, and merely because he en joyed the support of the Administration, General Pemberton, who was only a colonel when he joined the Confederate service, became first a brigadier-general, then a major-general, and then again a lieutenant-general, over the heads of many Confederate officers who had already distinguished themselves, and given un questioned evidence of capacity, efficiency, and other soldierly qualities.

As soon as he had sufficiently familiarized himself with the con dition of his Department, which was divided into four districts— South Carolina having three, and Georgia one—General Beaure-gard determined to bring the question of the defence of Charles ton and its harbor before a council, composed of the principal military and naval officers who had long been stationed there. Ilis object was, not only to gain enlightenment, but to create

GENERAL BEAUEEGABD. H

self-confidence in those officers, and increase their importance in the eyes of their subordinates. He prepared a series of questions, which were officially submitted to them, and thoroughly discussed at his headquarters. The conclusions arrived at were as follows:

"!N THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT, CHARLESTON, Sept. 29^, 1862.

" At a conference to which General Beauregard had invited the following officers; Com. D. N. Ingraham and Capt. J. R. Tucker, C. S. N., Brigadier-Gen'ls S. R. Gist and Thos. Jordan, Cols. G. W. Lay, Inspector-Genl.. and A. J. Gon-zales, Chief of Artillery, and Capt. F. D. Lee, Engrs., Capt. \V. H. Echols, Chief Engineer, being absent from the city :

" The Genl. Commanding proposed for discussion a number of queries, pre pared by himself, in relation to the problem of the defence of the Harbor, Forts, and City of Charleston, against the impending naval attacks by a formidable ironclad fleet.

" It was agreed to separate the consideration of these questions, so as to discuss—

" 1st. The entrance, i. e., all outside of a line drawn from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter; thence to Cummings's Point, including, also—outside of this line—Battery Beauregard, at the entrance of the Maffit Channel.

" 3d. The Gorge, i. <?., the section included between that line and the line of a floating boom from Fort Sumter, to the west end of Sullivan's Island.

" 3d. The Harbor, comprising all of the bay within the second line.

" 4th. The City, its flanks and rear.

"In the discussion no guns were classed as heavy, if not above the calibre of 32, except rifled 32-pounders.

" The following conclusions were arrived at:

" 1st. The existing defences of the entrance are: Beauregard Battery, with two heavy guns; Fort Moultrie, wit h nine; the Sand Batteries on the west end of Sullivan's Island, with but four yet mounted; and Fort Sumter, with thirty-eight.

" Of the Gorge, say nine guns in Fort Moultrie, thirty-two in Fort Sumter (not including seven 10-inch mortars), and as yet but four in the Sand bat teries.

" Of the Harbor, say fourteen guns of Fort Sumter, and the four guns in the new Sand batteries. Fort Johnson has one rifled 32-pounder, but it is not banded, and is unsafe.

" For the City defence, some batteries have been arranged and commenced, but heavy guns are neither mounted nor disposable.

" 3d. The floating boom is incomplete.

" 3d. It is no barrier now.

•' 4th. The boom, even if completed on the present plan, might be forced, although it would serve as a check, but it cannot be depended upon, if attacked by the enemy on a scale commensurate with his means. It has already been broken in parts by the force of the tides and currents. On

account of its having to bear the strain of the depth of water (up to 70 feet) and the difficulties of the anchorage ground, of the limited means at disposal in anchors and chains, the indifferent quality of the iron, and the deficient buoyancy of the whole (the pine being green and sappy and getting heavier with time), a modification of the construction is required.

" 5th. We have no means or material at hand for the construction of a better boom. It is thought, however, that the one now under construction will be materially improved by discarding the continuous chain of bar and railroad iron and links; and by linking together the logs, as they are now arranged, by short chains, so as to make a continuous chain of each section of the spars, there will be a saving of iron and greater buoyancy attained by this.

" 6th. A rope barrier has been devised and constructed to place in advance of the spar-boom, but has not been placed in position, as the rope will rot in the water, and some anchors are still wanting. They are being searched for.

"7th. Ironclads in forcing the harbor must pass the gorge or throat every where within point-blank range of our batteries, and must consequently be in great danger of damage from the concentration of the metal that can be brought to bear upon them, especially from the elevation of Fort Sumter.

"NOTE. — Distance between Sumter and Moultrie, 1775 yards; air-line of ob struction, 1550 yards.

" 8th. The plan of naval attack apparently best for the enemy would be to dash with as many ironclads as he can command, say fifteen or twenty, pass the batteries and forts, without halting to engage or reduce them. Com. Ingraham thinks they will make an attack in that way by daylight.

" 9th. Ironclad vessels cannot approach or pass so close to the walls of Fort Sumter as not to be within the reach of the barbette guns. Those guns may be depressed to strike the water at a distance of 154 yards of the walls. Ves sels of the probable draught of gunboats cannot be brought closer than 200 yards.

" 10th. After forcing the passage of the forts and barriers, and reaching the inner harbor, gunboats may lay within 600 yards of the city face of Fort Sumter, exposed to the fire of about fifteen guns. The magazines would be unsafe as now situated, or until counter-forts shall have been extended suffi ciently along the city face.

"llth. If ironclads pass the forts and batteries at the gorge or throat of the harbor, then the guns at Forts Ilipley and Johnson and Castle Pinckney would be of no avail to check them. In consequence of the exposed condi tion of the foundations of Fort Riplcy, and the general weakness of Castle Pinckney, it would not be advisable to diminish the armament of the exterior works to arm them; and this necessarily decides that Fort Johnson cannot 1)0 armed at the expense of the works covering the throat of the harbor. Fort Johnson must be held, however, to prevent the possibility of being car ried by the enemy by a land attack, and the establishment there of breaching batteries against Fort Sumter. The batteries at White Point Garden, Half-moon, Lawton's, and McLeod's, for the same reason, cannot be prudently armed at present with heavy guns.

" 12th. The line of pilings near Fort Ripley is of no service, and is rapidly falling to pieces.

" 13th. The city could not be saved from bombardment by any number of batteries along the city front, if the enemy reach the interior harbor with iron clads. It can then only be defended by infantry against landing of troops.

" 14th. "VVe have no resources at present for the construction of efficient obstructions at the mouth of, or in, the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and we have no guns disposable for the armament of interior harbor defences.

" loth. Should gunboats effect a lodgment in the harbor and in the Stono, the troops and armaments on James Island may be withdrawn, especially after the construction of a bridge and road across James Island Creek, about mid way the island, near Holmes house. From the western part they can be with drawn under cover of Fort Pemberton. McLeod's battery is intended to pro tect the mouth of Wappoo Creek, and Lawton's battery the mouth of James Island Creek, when armed.

" 16th. With the harbor in the hands of the enemy, the city could still be held by an infantry force by the erection of strong barricades, and with an arrangement of traverses in the streets. The line of works on the neck could also be held against a naval and land attack by the construction of frequent and long traverses. The approaches thereto are covered by w r oods in front; possibly a more advanced position might have been better, though also pro tected by the woods, but so much has been done that it were best to retain the line, remedying the defects by long and numerous traverses.

" Two ironclad gunboats, carrying four guns each, will be ready for service in two weeks, as an important auxiliary to the works defending all parts of the harbor, and in that connection it will be important to secure for them a harbor of refuge and a general depot up the Cooper River as soon as the guns for its protection can be secured.

" G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Comdg. "D. N. INGRAIIAM, " Com. Comdg. C. S. Naval Forces, Charleston Harbor.' 1

That sketch of the situation, together with General Beaure-gard's " K"otes of Inspection," dated September 24th, and General Pemberton's minimum estimate of men and guns required for a proper defence of the Department, give so complete and correct a statement of its condition and needs, at that time, that we deem it unnecessary to add anything further.

On the day following this conference of officers General Beau-regard began to carry out its conclusions, as to the armament of the different forts and the completion of the modified boom and rope obstructions in the main pass, between Forts Sumter and Moultrie. He determined also to make an extensive use of float ing torpedoes for the defence of the harbors of his Department, particularly that of Charleston, which he placed in charge of Cap-

tain F. D. Leo, an efficient and energetic young officer, whose former profession had been that of civil engineer. The construc tion of the boom above alluded to was already under the super intendence of Doctor J. R. Cheves.

General Beauregard soon found that he would have to be his own chief-engineer, as the officers of that branch of the service he then had under him, although intelligent and prompt in the discharge of their duties, did not possess sufficient experience. He hastened, therefore, to apply for Captain D. E. Harris, who had been so useful to him in the construction of the works at Centreville, Ya., and on the Mississippi River, from Island No. Ten to Vicksburg, and who, he was sure, would greatly relieve him of the close supervision required for the new works to be erected, and the many essential alterations to be made in the old ones. His chiefs of artillery and of ordnance were also wanting in experience, but they soon came up to the requirements of their responsible positions, and eventually proved of great assistance to him. Not so with the officers in charge of the Commissary De partment. These, in many instances, were not directly under General Beauregard\s orders, but under those of Colonel North rop, who, despite requests and remonstrances, continued to follow his own bent, which was to mismanage the affairs of his Department and set at naught the authority of generals com manding in the field or elsewhere. The worst feature of the case was that, in doing so, he invariably counted upon—and almost always obtained—the full support of the Administration.

The scarcity of iron just then was very great—so much so, that it became all but impossible to procure what was needed, not only for the construction of the boom across the main channel, but also for the anchors required to maintain it in position. At the suggestion of Governor Pickens, large granite blocks, collected at Columbia for the erection of the State House, were brought to Charleston, and used as substitutes for the anchors.* The expe dient proved quite a success, for a time, but the stone anchors could not long withstand the force of the tide.

General Beaureirard now caused the following instructions to

O O

be Hven to his chief of ordnance:

O

* Sec, in Appendix, General Jordan's letter to Captain Echols, Chief-En-

" HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OP S. C. AND GA.,

CHARLESTON, S. C., Octob&r 1st, 1802. " Major J. J. POPE, Chief of Ordnance, etc.:

"Major, —The commanding general instructs me to direct that the order of 25th ult. stands thus: That you cause the immediate transfer of the 10-inch columbiad (old pattern), now in the Water Battery, to the left of Fort Pem-berton, to Fort Sumter, with carriage, implements, and ammunition. Also that three 32-poundcrs, smooth, from Fort Sumter, and on barbette carriages, be moved to the said Water Battery, to the left of Fort Pemberton.

"You will likewise transfer to the new batteries, on Sullivan's Island, the 8-inch columbiad, now at Fort Johnson, with its implements, carriage, and ammunition, and report the execution of the foregoing.

" The 8-inch gun in Fort Ripley, and casemate 32-pounder in Fort Sumter, near Condenser, and the one on the wharf, referred to by you, will be assigned eventually to other positions.

" Very respectfully, your obdt. servt.,

" THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff."

Thus it appears that, immediate]} 7 after his arrival in Charles ton, General Beauregard began to concentrate as many heavy guns as were available in the first line of works, including Fort Sumter, so that they might be used with greater advantage against any naval attack. And the War Department was called upon to allow the transfer to Charleston of other heavy pieces from Ovenbluff, on the Tombigbee River, and Choctaw Bluff, on the Alabama River, where they could be of no use and might be easily dispensed with. The application was granted, provided no objection should be made by the commander of the Depart ment of Alabama and "Western Florida. !N"o objection was made.

But General Beauregard's efforts did not stop there. He asked the War Department for additional guns, which he considered indispensable for the safety of Charleston, as he placed no great reliance upon the strength and stability of the boom then being constructed. His letter to Colonel Miles, M.C., Chairman of the Military Committee of the House (extracts from which are given in the Appendix to this chapter), fully explains his views on the subject. So do his communications, dated September 30th and October 2d, to General Cooper.*

The ^Northern newspapers were filled with indications of an approaching attack upon Charleston. The preparatory measures for such an expedition were represented as very formidable.

* See Appendix to this chapter.

Without entirely believing those rumors, General Beauregard used every endeavor to put himself in a state of readiness. He advised Governor Pickcns, if it were the intention of the people and State to defend the city to the last extremity—as he was disposed to do—to prepare, out of its limits, a place of refuge for non-combatants. He ordered his chief-engineer to obstruct and defend the mouths of the Cooper and Ashley rivers. That offi cer was also instructed closely to examine both banks of the Stono, from Church Flats to the "VVappoo Cut, and place there such obstructions as might impede the progress of the enemy, and prevent him from turning our works in that vicinity.

But the enemy, not being sufficiently prepared to make his projected attack on Charleston or Savannah, determined to strike a blow farther south, on the St. John's River, in the Department of Florida, commanded by Brigadier-General Joseph Finegan. General Finegan had only a small force under him, and, when he realized the extent of his danger, immediately telegraphed the War Department for reinforcements. The Secretary of War or dered General Beauregard to send two regiments of infantry to his assistance. They were to be withdrawn from Georgia, Gen eral Mercer's command. Although fears were still entertained of an offensive movement against South Carolina and Georgia, General Beauregard, whose forces were also very limited, complied promptly with the order, but took occasion to call the attention of the War Department to his numerical weakness, and to the fact that the enemy's lodgment in Florida, even if really intended—which was doubtful — would be of less gravity than an assault, at this juncture, upon either Charleston or Savannah. General Beaure gard was accordingly authorized to recall his regiments, which he did without delay. They would have arrived too late to be of any assistance to General Finegan, as, upon that officer reach ing St. John's Bluff, on the 3d, he found it already abandoned, though, in his opinion, there was a sufficient force to hold it, had Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Hopkins, commanding the post, shown more spirit and determination.'- Six days later General Finegan informed the War Department that the enemy had embarked on their transports and gunboats, and were moving down the river.

* A court of inquiry, held October 11, at Colonel Hopkins's demand, exon erated him, however, from all blame in regard to this matter.

Being much concerned about the security and efficiency of the boom which was being built in the Charleston Harbor,* General Beauregard ordered his chief-engineer to alter its construction so as to increase its floating capacity, and reduce the resistance it offered to the strong flood and ebb tides. He also instructed him to protect the pile foundations of Fort Ripley, which were ex posed to view at low-water.

At that time he forwarded to the Adjutant-General's office at "Richmond the official report of his inspection of the Department. It is entirely similar to the notes of inspection inserted by us in the Appendix to this chapter, and need not, therefore, be tran scribed here. It had been somewhat hurriedly made, however, and did not include all the defensive points of the Department, nor was General Beauresrard's criticism of the works visited so

O

comprehensive then as at a later period, when based upon more thorough knowledge. The many and great alterations effected by him show how defective most of the works were, arid how well-founded were the concluding remarks of his report to General Cooper: "Adaptation 'of means to an end' has not always been consulted in the works around this city and Savannah. Much unnecessary work has been bestowed upon many of them."

The Third Military District of South Carolina, with headquar ters at McPhersonville, under Colonel (afterwards General) W. S. Walker, was not then in a very promising condition. Reports, considered trustworthy, indicated the enemy's early intention of taking the offensive in that quarter. The lines of defence and the detached works constructed in that district were calculated for the occupation of fully ten thousand men—the number assembled there during the preceding winter, with a proportionate artillery force. General Beauregard had had nothing to do in the estab-

o o

lishment of these lines, nor had he either planned or recommend ed the erection of the works spoken of. The abandonment by the Government of the plan of defending the coast with heavy artillery, and the consequent reduction of the force thus employed to a corps of observation, chiefly of cavalry, rendered the greater part of these works useless. Colonel Walker was alive to the danger of such a state of affairs, and had addressed a commnnica-

* A full description of it is given in General Bcauregard's " Notes of In spection," to be found in Appendix to this chapter. II.—2

tion to General Beauregard asking that reinforcements should be sent him to remedy the evil, and, as far as possible, secure that region of country.*

General Beauregard's answer was as follows:

" HEADQUARTERS, DEPT. S. C. AND GA.,

CHARLESTON, S. C., Oct. 8th, 1862. " Col. W. S. WALKER, Comdg. Third Mil. Dist., McPhcrsonville, S. C.:

"Colonel, — Your letter of 3d instant, with its enclosures, has been received. Your instructions to the Commanding Officer at Hardeeville and to your pick ets are approved of; none more in detail can be furnished you from here. Our means are so limited at present, that it is impossible to guard effectually the whole country and line of railroad, from here to Savannah, against a determined attack of the enemy; but we must endeavor to make up in zeal and activity what we lack in numbers. I shall, however, send you a light battery of artillery, to be posted by you wherever most advantageous. Being still unacquainted with the district of country under your command, I must rely greatly, in this and other corresponding matters, on your judgment and thorough knowledge of its topography. * * *

"Respectfully, your obdt. servt.,

" Gr. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Coindg."

The forthcoming chapter will show what occurred in Colonel Walker's district a fortnight after this letter was written, In the mean time it is proper here to remark that on General Beaure gard's arrival in Charleston he found no regular system by which news of the movements of the enemy along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia could be ascertained with any degree of certainty, and he determined to correct so great a deficiency in the service, rendered all the more necessary by the fact that his Department, as will soon be seen, had just been enlarged.

The system inaugurated may be thus explained : He established signal (flag) stations at the most important points along the coast of South Carolina (from Georgetown), Georgia, and Florida, where the enemy's ships or fleets could be observed. An exact register was kept in his office of all Federal vessels plying along the coast and their precise whereabouts. Whenever any change took place among them it was reported at once to Department Headquarters, and a minute account kept of it. And when an accumulation of the enemy's ships occurred at any point, indicating an attack, the small reserves General Beauregard had at Charleston or Savannah

* See Colonel Walker's letter, in Appendix to this chapter.

were prepared to move by rail in that direction, with the usual amount of provisions and ammunition, one or more trains being always held in readiness to receive the detachment. Thus was inferiority of number, to a certain extent, remedied by unremit ting vigilance. The flas;-stations above described communicated

O O O

with the nearest railroad stations by sub-flag-stations, or by cou riers, as circumstances required. The result was that clear and trustworthy information of the enemy's ships, or of his land-forces, was given to General Beauregard, once in every twenty-four hours, from all the various quarters of his extensive Depart ment. It is satisfactory to state that, during the twenty months he remained in command there, he was never, on any occasion, taken by surprise. His reinforcements always arrived at the threatened point as soon as our limited means of transportation would permit.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Extension of General Beauregard's Command. — Grave Errors in the Construc tion of the Fortifications around Charleston. — Alterations Ordered by General Beauregard. — His Desire for Additional Torpedo-rams. — He fore sees the Federal Movement in Colonel Walkers District. — Sends Captain F. D. Lee to Richmond. — Prepares himself for the Enemy's Attack.— Bank of Louisiana. — Effort to Save its Funds. —Secretary of War Orders their Seizure.— Instructions to General Ripley. — Memoranda on the De fences of Savannah. — Minute Instructions to General Mercer. —Suggest ion for a Conference of Southern Governors.—Captain Lee's Report of his Visit to Richmond.—Attack of the Federals on Pocotaligo. — Colonel Walker Repulses them with Loss.— Federal Force Engaged in the Affair. —General Beauregard Recommends Colonel Walker for Promotion. — Estimate called for, and given, of Men and Material Needed for a Suc cessful Defence of Charleston and its Harbor.

FKOM Richmond, on the 7th of October, the following telegram was sent to General Beauregard:

" Your command this day extended, in order to embrace South Carolina, Georgia, and that part of Florida east of the Appalachicola River. The camps of instruction for conscripts, in the several States, arc under special control

of the Secretary of War.

u S. COOPER, A. & I. G."

This was not welcome news, for if it implied increase of terri torial authority, it indicated no prospect of corresponding numer ical strength in the Department. General Beauregard answered

in these terms:

" HEADQUARTERS, DEFT. S. C. AND GA.,

CHARLESTON, S. C., Oct. 8th, 1862. •'General SAMUEL COOPER, Adjt. and Insp.-Genl., Richmond, Va.:

" General, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, this day, of your telegram of the 7th instant, communicating information of the extension of the limits of this Department to include all of the State of Georgia, and so much of Florida as is situated east of the Appalachicola River. I beg to say that I trust this extension of the territory of the Department will be followed, at an early day, by a commensurate increase of the forces to guard it. It is proper for me to say, that the more urgent importance of the defence of the ports of Charleston and Savannah must necessarily occupy so much of my

time, that I cannot be absent long enough to visit and make myself acquaint ed personally with the defensive resources and capabilities of Florida, and hence must rely entirely on the local commander.

" Respectfully, your obedient servant,

" G. T. BEAUREGABD, Genl. Comdg."

General Bean regard's solicitude was great for the safety of the approaches to Charleston. In the many works thrown up and directed by Engineers lacking experience grave errors had been committed, not only in their location but in their plans and pro files. Guns were put in position without regard to their range or calibre; traverses seemed to be ignored where most needed; enfilading fires by the enemy, the worst of all, had been almost entirely overlooked ; yet one gun, well protected by traverses and merlons, is considered equivalent to five, unprotected. During the defence of Charleston, General Beauregard had all his heavy barbette guns surrounded with merlons and traverses, thus incas ing them as if in a chamber. The bomb-proofs and service mag azines, which he also placed in the traverses, protected the artiller ists and, in doing so, materially increased their confidence, which was " half the battle."

He had previously ordered the chief-engineer to enlarge the work at Rantowle's Station, on the Savannah Railroad, and to build a tete de pont and battery at the New Bridge, Church Flats. The same engineer had likewise been commanded to prepare a plan for the defence of the streets and squares of Charleston, in case of a successful land attack.

But General Beanregard's greatest efforts were directed towards the harbor. There, he was convinced, the land and naval forces against us would strike their heaviest blows. He wrote to Gov ernor Pickens about his need of additional heavy guns; told him how little he relied on the effectiveness of the original boom; but spoke very encouragingly of Captain F. D. Lee's plan for a tor pedo-ram," which," General Beauregard thought, "would be equiv alent to several gunboats." He added that " he feared not to put on record, now, that half a dozen of these torpedo-rams, of small comparative cost, would keep this harbor clear of four times the number of the enemy's ironclad gunboats." *

On the 10th he ordered a new work to be put up on the left of

* Sec, in Appendix to this chapter, letter to Governor Pickens.

the " New Bridge, city side of the Ashley River, and to repair the battery at New Bridge," Church Flats; and the chief-engineer was specially instructed as to the transfer and new location of guns already in position.

On the 12th he addressed this communication to Mr. J.K. Sass, Chairman of the State Gunboat Committee:

"•Dear Sir, —In view of the necessity of getting ready, as soon as possible, the proposed torpedo-ram of Capt. F. D. Lee, and the difficulty, if not im possibility, of procuring the materials and machinery for its construction, I have the honor to request that the materials, etc., collected for the State's new gunboat should be applied to the ' torpedo-ram,' which, I am informed, can be got ready sooner (in less than two months), will cost less, and be more effi cacious, in my opinion. In other words, I think the State and the country would be the gainers by constructing one of these new engines of destruction, in place of the intended gunboat, now just commencing to be built, " Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

" G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Comdg."

The next day (13th) there were indications along the coast, espe cially about Port Royal, that the enemy would soon strike a blow in that vicinity. General Beanregard informed Colonel Walker, at McPhersonville, that every effort would be made to support him in case he was attacked; but that, nevertheless, it would be prudent for him to prepare himself for a retrograde movement, if overpowered. That he must therefore send to the rear all the heavy baggage, and hold his command ready for battle, with three days' cooked rations, forty rounds of ammunition in boxes, and sixty in wagons. That his pickets must be on the alert and his spies actively employed. That reinforcements would be sent him as soon as required, but that he must indicate, with precision, the points most needing relief. That two thousand infantry would come from Charleston (General Gist's district), one thousand from the Second District (General Hagood's), and two thousand from Savannah (General Mercer's headquarters). And he was advised, furthermore, not to look upon General Mitchel as a very formi dable adversary, but to prepare against his predatory incursions.

General Beauregard was now most anxious to have built a u torpedo-ram," upon the plan proposed by Captain F. D. Lee. lie accordingly sent that officer to Richmond to explain his in vention, and urged the necessity of obtaining assistance from the War and Navy Departments. He considered those rains to be far

superior to the ironclad gunboats of the enemy; was convinced that their cost would be one-third less, and that they could be constructed in a much shorter time than the crafts then being built in Charleston. General Eeaureorard informed the Govern-

O

inent that the South Carolina authorities were highly in favor of the new ram, and had already appropriated the sum of §50,000 for its construction; but that, should the Navy Department take the matter in hand, the result would be better and sooner attained. If successful in Charleston harbor, General Beauregard thought similar rams could be built for the Mississippi and James rivers, and for Port Hoyal and Savannah. This point he strongly pressed upon the consideration of the War Department, and earnestly recommended Captain Lee for his zeal, energy, and capacity as a practical engineer.

Full and comprehensive orders were given, on the 13th and 14th, to Colonel Walker, and Generals Gist and Mercer, to hold their troops in readiness, with the usual instructions as to provi sions and ammunition; and railroad transportation was prepared to take reinforcements to Colonel Walker at a moment's notice. On the same day General Mercer was also ordered to have made a careful reconnoissance of the Ocmulgee, with a view to its ef fectual obstruction and protection by a fort.

About this period a remarkable occurrence took place which is worthy of note. When New Orleans was about to be evacuated, in April, 1862, the civil and military authorities advised the banks and insurance companies to put their funds in security be yond the reach of the enemy. They nearly all did so, and, among them, the wealthiest of all, namely, the "Bank of Louisiana," which sent its assets, mostly of gold and silver, to the extent of some three millions of dollars, via Mobile, to Columbus, Georgia, under the care of its president. These funds were given in charge by him to Mr. W. II. Young, President of the Bank of Columbus, Georgia, with the belief that they would there be perfectly safe. To General Beauregard's surprise, on the llth of October the following telegram was forwarded to him from Richmond:

" Take possession of the coin of the Bank of Louisiana, in the hands of W. H. Young, President of the Bank of Columbus, Ga., and place it in the hands of John Boston, the depositary of the Government, at Savannah. A written order -will be sent immediately, but don't wait for it.

" G. W. RANDOLPH, Secy, of War."

Without loss of time, though very reluctantly, General Beaure-gard sent an officer of his staff, Colonel A. G. Rice, Vol. A. D. C.. to execute this disagreeable order. On the 14th, from Columbus, Colonel Rice telegraphed as follows:

" To Genl. T. JORDAN, A. A. G.:

"Mr. Young, under instructions from Mr. Memminger, dated 9th of June, refuses to give up the coin. He has telegraphed to Richmond. No reply yet. <• A. G. RICE, A. D. C." *

Forcible possession, however, was taken of the coin; and the Secretary of War, when applied to for further instructions, or dered that, inasmuch as Mr. Young had been "appointed a depos itary " by Mr. Boston, " the money be left in the hands of the former, upon his consenting to receipt for it as the depositary of the Treasury Department."* This Mr. Young declined to do: and thereupon General Beauregard was ordered by the Secretary of War to turn over the coin to Mr. T. S. Metcalf, Government depositary at Augusta, Georgia; which was done, Colonel Rice taking triplicate receipts, one for the Secretary of War, one for General Beauregard's files, and one for himself.

Thus was the property belonging to citizens of Louisiana, who were then despoiled by the enemy, in possession of their State, taken away from them by the Government of the Confederate States, from which they had a right to claim protection. What became of that coin is, we believe, even to this day, a mystery. It was, doubtless, spent for the benefit of the Confederacy ; but how, and to what purpose—not having been regularly appropriated by Congress—has never been made known to the South, especially to the stockholders and depositors of the " Bank of Louisiana. 5 ' That institution was utterly ruined by the seizure of its most val uable assets, thus arbitrarily taken from it. It would have been more equitable to leave this coin untouched, or, if not, to take no greater proportion of it than of the coin of all the other banks in the Confederacy.

The movements of the Federals along the coast of Florida kept General Finegan in a state of constant perplexity, on account of the inferior force under him. On the 14th he gave a clear state ment of the condition of his district, and asked that reinforce -

* Sec telegrams, in Appendix.

ments should be sent him without delay.* General Beanregard would gladly have complied with his request, but was unable to do so, as he was apprehensive at that time of an immediate attack at or near Pocotaligo, in Colonel Walker's district. lie sent two officers of his staff, Lieutenants Chisolm and Beauregard, to con fer with Colonel Walker as to the true condition of his command, and assure him again that he could rely on being reinforced as soon as the enemy further developed his intentions. Colonel Walker reiterated what he had already said about his weakness, and spoke of the want of rifles for his cavalry, which, he said. would have to fight as infantry, owing to the nature of the coun try in which the contest would probably take place. He desig nated Pocotaligo, Grahamville, and Hardeeville as points for con centrating his forces and reinforcements, according to circum stances and to the plan of the enemy, detailing his preparatory arrangements for meeting his adversary at any of the three places.

While these events were occurring—to wit, on the 17th of October—General Beauregard received a despatch from the Sec retary of War, informing him that news from Baltimore, reported to be trustworthy, spoke of an attack upon Charleston by Com modore Dupont within the ensuing two weeks. General Beaure gard communicated the rumor to Commodore Ingraham and to the Mayor of the city, Mr. Charles Macbeth, in order that he and the people of Charleston might be prepared for such an event. General Beauregard also instructed Doctor Cheves, in charge of the harbor obstructions, to hurry the laying of the "rope en tanglement" in front of the "boom," in the efficacy of which he now had but little, if any, faith.

It may be added here that when General Beauregard assumed command of Charleston he found prevalent among a certain class of people the habit of spreading exaggerated reports of the ene my's intended movements against the city. To put a stop to the uneasy state of excitement thus created, he ordered the various officers in command to obtain the names of all persons propa gating such rumors, and, after tracing them to their original source, to arrest forthwith whoever was guilty of thus disturb ing the public mind. In less than two weeks' time, and before

* See, in Appendix to this chapter, his official letter to that effect.

three arrests had been made, the habit was broken, and from that time forward no more trouble was experienced on this score.

General Beauregard's attention had already been attracted to the construction, or rather completion, of a railroad from Thomas-ville, Georgia, to Bainbridge, on Flint River, some thirty-six miles, and a branch from Grovesville to the Tallahassee Railroad —about sixteen miles—which would add greatly to the military facilities for the defence of Middle and Eastern Florida, and for sending troops rapidly from Savannah or the interior of Georgia to any point threatened in Florida. The matter was again re ferred to him, on the 18th, by Judge Baltzell, and he strongly advised the Government to take immediate action in regard to it;

o

but scarcity of iron, it was alleged, and other reasons, not well explained, prevented the construction of either of the roads until the last year of the war, when, it seems, the project was finally sanctioned, but too late to accomplish any good.

Shortly after his arrival in Charleston, General Beauregard, at the suggestion of some of the leading men of the city, called for and obtained the services of Brigadier-General R. S. Ripley. He was a graduate of West Point, and an officer of merit, though erratic at times, and inclined to an exaggerated estimate of his own importance. He was, however, quick, energetic, and intelli gent, and, for several months after his assignment to duty in the Department, materially assisted the general commanding in the execution of his plans.

On the 19th General Beauregard, through his chief of staff, gave General Ripley the following instructions:

" As the enemy has shown a design to interrupt or prevent the erection of any works at Mayrant's Bluff, the Commanding General directs me to suggest that the enemy may be foiled by proper efforts.

"Sham works should be attempted at some point in view of the gunboats, and, meanwhile, the real works should be vigorously prosecuted at night.

" It is likewise the wish of the General Commanding .that Sullivan's Creek should be effectively obstructed, without delay, against the possible attempts of mortar-boats.

" Some arrangements must also be made for the disposition of the troops on Sullivan's Island, not needed for the service of the batteries, in case of an attack merely by gunboats. To this matter the Commanding General wishes you to give your immediate attention.

"The houses on Sullivan's Island, on the sea-shore, you will take measures to remove at an early day.''

We now have before us two important and interesting mem oranda, giving an elaborate professional criticism of the defences of Savannah and its different approaches, showing the defects of the system adopted by General Beauregard's predecessor, and demonstrating clearly General Long's error of judgment in at tributing the construction of these works — or most of them—

O

to General R. E. Lee. The reader will find these memoranda in the Appendix to this chapter. ~\Ve insert here the instructions given by General Beauregard to General Mercer, after his second tour of inspection of the defensive works at or around Savan nah ; they form a necessary supplement to the memoranda just spoken of:

" SAVANNAH, GA.. Oct. 28th, 1862, " Brig.-Gcnl. II. "W. MERCER, Conidg. Disk of Georgia, etc., etc.:

" General, —Before leaving, on my return to Charleston, I think it advis able to leave with you a summary of the additions and changes I have or dered to the works intended for the defence of this city, and which ought to be executed as promptly as practicable, commencing with those on the river and at Caustine's Bluff:

" 1. The magazines of several of the river batteries must be thoroughly drained at once, and repaired. They are now unfit for use, on account of their dampness, and the one at Battery Lawton has not yet been commenced. The position selected for it is too far to the rear. It should be closer to the battery, and well drained. Not a moment should be lost in its construction.

"The service magazine should have its entrance enlarged and strengthened at the top. The magazine doors at Fort Jackson do not open freely. This defect must be corrected.

"2. Good and strong traverses must be constructed, as directed, in the Xaval Battery, to prevent enfilading.

" 3. The two 8-inch columbiads on Fort Jackson must be separated, and one of the barbette 32-pounders (removed, for a traverse to be constructed in its place) must be put in position outside, in rear of the glacis, to fire down the river.

" 4. Those river works, when garrisoned, must always be provided with several days' provisions on hand.

k ' o. The mortar-chamber in Capt. Lamar's battery is too small. The mor tars should be mounted as soon as practicable, and the men drilled to it.

" C. It would be important, if possible, to lay a boom obstruction across the river, at or near Ilutchinson's Island, under the guns of its battery, and of Fort Boggs, and a three or four gun battery should also be constructed at Sere veil's Ferry Landing.

" 7. Caustine's Bluff must be made an enclosed work, with two mortars and four heavy guns added to its armament. Two of these guns must be placed so as to bear up the Augustine River.

" 8. A three-gun battery must be constructed at Greenwich Point, on Augus-

tine River, to cross fire with the two guns just referred to, on "Whitmarsh Island, constructed against Caustine's Bluff.

" 9. One rifled 32-pounder must be added to the Thunderbolt Battery, and one of its 8-inch shell-guns must be changed in position, as ordered, and the embrazure of its 8-inch columbiad must be reduced in size.

" Several traverses must be raised and lengthened. The upper slope of the battery in front of several of its guns must be increased.

" 10. A new battery for four 24-pounder howitzers, on siege-carriages, with some rifle-pits, must be constructed to command the Isle of Hope Causeway.

"11. Several of the guns of Fort Boggs and battery at Beaulieu are in want of elevating screws; and some in the latter battery require smaller trunnion-plates, and the upper slope of its parapet must be lowered in sev eral places.

" 12. A new battery and rifle-pits must be constructed on Rosedew Island for five or six pieces, of which one or two should be rifled guns, so as to com mand Little Ogeechee.

" One rifled 24-pounder is already on its way to this city from Atlanta for said work.

" 13. Two rifled guns (one 32-pounder and one 24-pounder) must be added to the work on Genesis Point, and one of its 32-pounders must be changed in position, as ordered, to rake the pilings across the river. Its traverses must be raised and lengthened, and a merlon constructed to protect the two 32-pounders, now raking the obstruction, from being enfiladed. Its magazines must be better protected, and its hot-shot furnace reconstructed as ordered. A more efficient commander than the present one would, I think, be required for this important position, and whoever is sent there should visit, first, the work at Beaulieu, to see its fine condition.

" 14. A proper sunken battery should be constructed for the protection of the men and horses of all light batteries intended for the defence of water courses. This applies especially to the light batteries now on the Little and Great Ogecchees.

" 15. No provocation of the enemy's gunboats, to draw the fire of our bat teries, should induce officers in command to waste in return their ammuni tion. They should reserve their fire until the enemy comes within point-blank range of a 32-poundcr, placing, meanwhile, all the garrison under close cover. When they fire let them open simultaneously with all their guns upon the foremost vessel, in order to sink it, aiming rather low.

" 1G. Two mortars have been ordered from Charleston for Fort Jackson and Caustine's Bluff, to fire on river obstructions, and, in respect to the latter battery, to fire also on Whitmarsh Island. They must be placed in position as soon as they shall have arrived, and provided with ammunition, etc., and a detail of men drilled at them regularly.

"17. Ship-yard Creek, in rear of Beaulieu, must be guarded by a light battery, as already indicated for the Little and Great Ogeechees.

"18. Signal-stations must be established forthwith to communicate with each other at Genesis Point, Rosedew Island, Beaulieu, the Isle of Hope Cause way, Thunderbolt, Caustine's Bluff, Fort Jackson, Fort Boggs, and the city.

" 19. The two large observatories or spindles towards the mouth of Savan nah River must be destroyed forthwith, for fear of their falling into the hands of the enemy uninjured.

" 20. Brigade drills must be commenced at once, whenever practicable, and regiments must not be armed with weapons of more than two different calibres, to prevent confusion in providing them with ammunition.

" 21. The male residents of this city, not liable to conscription, must be organized at once by the civil authorities, for the defence of their homes and firesides (in case of an attack upon the city), into companies and regiments. They M'ill thus afford material assistance to the Confederate troops in the defence of Savannah.

"22. Ample provision must be made by the civil authorities for the re moval of the women and children to a safe locality outside of the city—the farther the better. This removal should take place on the first appearance of real danger.

" 23. A sufficient number of switchlock keys should be provided at rail road depots for immediate use in case of necessity.

" 24. The Georgia Central Railroad will furnish a reserve train, to be sta tioned at Ashley River Depot, for the purpose of conveying troops, without delay, from Charleston to the South Carolina lower parishes, or to Georgia. Another one will be held in readiness at the depot of the Central Railroad, in this city, for the purpose of conveying troops towards Charleston when required.

"25. The troops of this district must be vaccinated gradually.

" 26. The woods of the island fronting the outworks must be cut down as soon as possible, wherever in too dangerous proximity.

" 27. The city must be always provided with at least fifteen days' provisions for ten thousand men, and with the same quantity in a convenient depot not nearer than thirty miles from the city, along the Central Railroad, so as to be beyond the reach of the enemy in every contingency.

" 28. Ample supply of fuel should be made for the steamboats and for the troops forming the garrison of the city.

" 29. The city authorities must see that the supply of water be ample for all emergencies, in case of a bombardment.

" Respectfully, your obedient servant,

" G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Comdg."

"P.S.—It is ordered that all laborers employed on the interior of the city lines of defences, except those employed on the magazines, should be at once concentrated, first on the salient faces of the advanced lunettes and cremail-leres, except those from Fort Mercer, inclusive to Fort Brown, then on the salient faces of the retired lunettes or redans, then on the shoulder faces of the first class, and afterwards of the second.

" The banquettes of Fort Brown must be put forthwith in proper condi tion. No labor must be expended on the finish of the above works, which must be put, with their batteries, magazines, etc., in a fighting condition as soon as possible, even if we should have to work day and night.

" Should you not have laborers enough for such a purpose, you must call

on the Governor of the State for additional ones. I earnestly request that the utmost activity should be shown in every department of the service, so as to be ready in time for an intended attack of the enemy. I have called for five 10-inch or 13-inch mortars, and twenty heavy or long-range guns (five 10-inch and five 8-inch columbiads, five 42-pounders, rifled, and five 32-pounders, ditto), which will be distributed to the best advantage, when received, on the river defences and line of outworks.

" G. T. B."

Daring his second tour of inspection in Georgia, General Beau-regard had directed his thoughts, despite his preoccupation at the time, to a subject, not immediately concerning his military occu pations, but referring to, and closely connected with, the ulterior fate of the Confederacy. Believing that our Government could not again directly open the door to peace negotiations with the Federal Government, and knowing, on the other hand, that our Confederate Commissioners in Europe had never been allowed to offer the semblance even of an inducement in our favor to any of the foreign powers, it occurred to him that what could not appro priately be done by the authorized agents of the Confederacy might perhaps be attempted, with some chance of success, by the governors of the Southern States. Acting upon this impulse, he wrote from Savannah, on the 21st of October, the following message to Governors Pickens, of South Carolina; Brown, of Georgia; and Milton, of Florida; and to Colonel William P. Miles, M. (1, formerly a member of his staff:

"Why should not governors of Southern States offer to meet those of Northwest States, at Memphis, under flag of truce, to decide on treaty of peace to be submitted to both governments ?"

The moment, General Beauregard thought, was propitious for such a step ; for the Confederacy, notwithstanding many reverses, was holding; out with success; but though the susrsrestion was at

O O CT*O

first approved of by two of the three governors written to, it was not acted upon. Governor Pickens, upon reflection, decided that the plan was not feasible, and Colonel Miles was of opinion that nothing could be effected now, and that our only course was " to fight it out."

At about the same time was received Captain F. D. Lee's report of his visit to the "War and Navy departments, at Richmond, with reference to his torpedo-ram. He had been much encouraged by these two departments, by the chief-engineer and the chief of

ordnance of the navy. All spoke in the highest terms of his in vention. Unfortunately, he left Richmond without securing the

*j / O

necessary orders for the construction of his boat, and, as a conse quence, many untoward delays ensued. In the Appendix will be found Captain Lee's report of his mission to the Confederate capital, and a letter from General Beauregard to the Hon. S. B. Mallory, in acknowledgment of his prompt and favorable support of the marine torpedo-ram project. In this letter he said:

" I confidently believe that with three of these light-draught torpedo-rams, and as many ironclad gunboat-rains, this harbor [meaning the Charleston Harbor] could be held against any naval force of the enemy;" and he added: " The same means can also be used (with one less of each class) for Savannah and Mobile.'' He disclaimed wishing to take the matter out of the hands of competent naval officers. "All I desired," he wrote, " was to see it [the ram] afloat and ready for action as soon as possible." Time and the progress of naval warfare have only confirmed the opinion he entertained twenty years ago.

At last occurred, on the 22d, the long-expected attack of the Federals against Colonel W. S. Walker, at Pocotaligo and Coosaw-hatchie. General Beauregard was then in Savannah. So care-

Z3

fully were all his arrangements made in prevision of that oc currence, and so minute his instructions to his chief of staff in Charleston, that he did not forego his inspection of the defensive works in General Mercer's command. Still supervising the move ments of the troops, he rapidly sent forward the reinforcements held in readiness for that purpose, and thus materially aided Colonel Walker in securing his brilliant victory.

The enemy, in some thirteen gunboats and transports, came up Bee's Creek, apparently aiming at Coosawhatchie. Effecting a landing at Mackay's Point, and marching thence in the direction of Pocotaligo, they took possession of the railroad at Coosawhatchie and destroyed the telegraphic line at that point, thus compelling us to communicate with Savannah and Hardeeville via Augusta. Colonel Walker now telegraphed for reinforcements, as was agreed, and retired to " Old Pocotaligo," one mile from the Po cotaligo station, intending, if necessary, to fall back to the Salka-hatchie bridge. This, however, he did not do, but took a fixed po sition at the junction of the Mackay's Point road and the road be tween Pocotalio and Coosawhatchie. The enaement was then

in full progress, the enemy's force being, at first, relatively small, but constantly increasing with the arrival of reserves. Colonel Walker was resolved to hold his ground at "Old Pocotaligo" until reinforcements should arrive, which he again telegraphed for, asking that all troops coming from Savannah should be sent to Coosawhatchie, and those from Charleston to Pocotaligo, as both points were being assailed in force.

The first reinforcements that reached the scene of action, at about 4.30 p. M., came up from Adams Run. They double-quicked to where the fight seemed heaviest, their presence giving addi tional resolution to Colonel Walker's gallant troops, and showing their commander that he could now count upon success. He was not disappointed. The enemy, after a contest that lasted from 11.30 A. M. to G P. M., gave way in disorder, leaving his dead and wounded on the field, with quite a number of small-arms, with ammunition, knapsacks, and other accoutrements. Two compa nies of cavalry were sent in pursuit, but could not be moved nearer than two miles to the Federal gunboats, which opened and kept up a destructive fire upon them.

Our loss was small, though, in proportion, greater than that of the enemy, and amounted to an aggregate of one hundred and sixty-three, killed, wounded, and missing. The loss on the other side was estimated at not less than three hundred.

Uncertain, however, as to the ulterior object of the enemy, other troops were asked for by Colonel Walker; and Generals Ilagood and Gist, with forces kept prepared for that purpose, were rapidly sent to reinforce him. They arrived after the action was over, and took no part in it, General Gist, with two strong regiments, only reaching Pocotaligo the next day, October 23d. It was now evident that no further assistance was needed.

The Federal force engaged in this affair consisted of six regi ments, one battery of ten 10-pounder rifled guns, and two boat howitzers. Colonel Walker had, when he first went into the fight, about four hundred effective men of all arms, and was subsequently reinforced by the Nelson Battalion, under Captain Sligh, numbering two hundred men, making in all, towards the close of the fight, a total force of not more.than six hundred men, against an aggregate of not less than three thousand five hundred on the part of the enemy. In his official report of the engage ment Colonel Walker said:

" The force of the enemy was represented by prisoners, and confirmed by the statement of negroes who had crossed Port Royal Ferry to the mainland on that day and been captured, to be seven regiments, one of which, I judge, went to Coosawhatchie. * * * There were abundant evidences that the retreat of the enemy was precipitate and disordered. One hundred small-arms were picked up, and a considerable amount of stores and ammunition. The road was strewn with the debris of the beaten foe. Forty-six of the enemy's dead were found on the battle-field and road-side. Seven fresh graves were dis covered at Mackay's Point. I estimate their total killed and wounded at three hundred. * * * We have ample reason to believe that our small force not only fought against great odds, but against fresh troops brought up to replace those first engaged. * * * I beg to express my admiration of the remarkable courage and tenacity with which the troops held their ground. The an nouncement of my determination to hold my position until reinforcements arrived seemed to fix them to the spot with unconquerable resolution."

General Beauregard the day following informed the War De partment of the defeat of the enemy at Pocotaligo; and, recogniz ing the coolness, intelligence, and foresight displayed by Colonel Walker on that occasion, strongly recommended him for imme diate promotion. The War Department acceded to that request, and when, on November 4th, the official report of the fight at Pocotaligo reached Department Headquarters in Charleston, it was signed U W. S.Walker, Brigadier-General, Commanding."

0 o O

Our success at Pocotaligo, although very encouraging, more than ever demonstrated our numerical weakness, and led General Beauregard to reflect with great uneasiness upon the results w T hich might follow a simultaneous attack by the enemy at various points in his Department. Hesitating to trust his judgment alone relative to the deficiency of troops in the First Military District, he called on its commanding officer for an estimate " of the men and material he thought necessary for a prolonged successful resistance to any attack which the resources of the enemy may enable him to make."

In compliance with this request, Generals Ripley and Gist, the commander and sub-commander of the district referred to, fur nished the following report :

" HEADQUARTERS, FIRST MILITARY DIST., S. C.,

CHARLESTON, Oct. 25th, 1862.

"Increase of numerical force called for by Brigadier-General S. R. Gist, commanding:

For Defence of James Island and the Main. Of all arms 17,661

1 light artillery 100) 20Q

1 company artillery ,.100 f

II.—3

For Jlorris Island.

1 company artillery for enfilade battery 100

Sullivan's Island.

2 regiments 2000 ]

1 battalion cavalry... 400 [ 2,600

3 light batteries 200 J

For Jlount Pleasant.

1 regiment artillery for works in progress _. '

Total numerical increase called for 21,561

" R, S. RIPLEY, Brig.-Gcnl. Comdg."

As the effective force, of all arms, on James Island amounted at that time to 2910, and that in the City of Charleston and on the main to 1279 (in all, 41S9), it followed that, out of the whole number required—to wit, 21,501, as shown above—there was, on the 25th of October, in Generals Ripley's and Gist's opinion, a deficit of not less than 17,372 men, of all arms, for the proper defence of the First Military District, South Carolina; an alarm ing deficiency, but one which General Beauregard did not think exaggerated.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

General Beauregard Returns to Charleston.—He informs the War Department of the Result of his Inspection of the Works around Savannah.—Dis positions Taken with Regard to Different Batteries; for the Completion of the Boom ; for the Protection of River Obstructions; for Negro Labor upon Works around Charleston.—Letter to Governor Pickens.—Letter to Colonel Chestnut.—Letter to the Hon. W. P. Miles.—Promise of Secretary of War to send Guns to General Beauregard. — His Letter to General Cobb. — Instructions to Major Pope. — War Department withdraws the Order for Guns.—General Beauregard's Letter to General S. Cooper, Ex plaining Conduct of Major Chilcls.—Telegram from the Secretary of War. —General Beauregard Requests a Suspension of Decision.—Refusal of the Secretary of War.—Indignation of General Beauregard.—Governor Pick-ens Dissuades him from Demanding to be Relieved.—Ordnance Depart ment Refuses to Pay for Banding of Guns. — Notice given of Probable Attack.—Canal Cut through the Wappoo.—General Beauregard's Minute-Attention to all Details.—Instructions to General Cobb.—Enemy's Fleet directed towards Cape Lookout.—General Beauregard's Letter to Gen eral Whiting.—Enemy Retires to Newbern.—Information given of Prob able Naval Attack upon Charleston. — General Beauregard Recalls his Troops from North Carolina. — President Davis Refuses to send 7-inch Guns to General Beauregard.—They are sent to Mobile.

GENERAL BEATJREGARD, having accomplished the object of his visit to Savannah, on the 30th of October returned to Charleston, where he found Captain D. B. Harris waiting for him. His pleas ure and relief were great indeed, for he knew that this trusted officer would now relieve him of the immediate supervision of the works to be remodelled and constructed in many portions of his extensive command.

It cannot be expected that we shall pass in review and com ment upon all the official orders emanating from General Beau-regard's headquarters, nor that the reader should be made ac quainted with every one of his acts from the time he assumed control of that Department until he left it in the spring of ISGtt. No more can be looked for than a careful summary, in chrono logical order, of all events of importance that occurred within

liis jurisdiction, showing the part he took in each, and giving such explanation as the occasion may call forth.

1. On November 1st he officially informed General Cooper of the result of his inspection of the defences of Savannah, and ex pressed his views and recommendations "more," he said, "as an Engineer officer than as the commanding general of the Depart ment."* The preceding chapter and its comprehensive Appendix have already sufficiently apprised the reader of what these views and recommendations were.

2. On ^November 3d he instructed Major Pope, Chief of Ordnance, to transfer an IS-pounder cannon from White Point Battery, where it was comparatively useless, to one at Church Flats, in the Second Military District, so as to enfilade the John's Island Bridge and Causeway, which were liable to be taken by a sudden coup de main.

On the same day he called on Captain Ingraham, C. S. ~N. 9 com manding the l^aval Department in Charleston, to furnish him three hundred pieces of gunboat plating, to be used in completing the boom across the channel between the two main forts of the harbor. He also suggested that the three merchant ships lying off the wharves should be armed with quaker guns, and anchored near the boom, to deceive the enemy.

8. On November 4th he applied to Governor Pickens for the iron plating which protected the old floating battery used, in April, 18G1, during the attack on Fort Sumter. He accepted the four regiments of reserves (infantry) offered him by the governor for the defence of the sea-coast of South Carolina. Two of these lie immediately ordered to Pocotaligo, in the Third Military Dis trict, and the two others to Georgetown, in the Fourth District (a new one), now being organized, which was afterwards placed under the command of Brigadier-General Trapier.

Governor Pickens answered in his usual earnest way, granting General Beauregard's request about the iron. He suggested a plan for the proper management of negroes, and the care to be bestowed upon them while working on the defences of the city and coast, and thought they could be organized into a corps of spadesmen and axemen, to be permanently attached to the army.

:;: General Beauregard's Report to the War Department, to be found in the War Records Office, Washington, D. C.

4. On November 6th General Beatiregard wrote an important letter to Brigadier-General Gist, commanding James Island and the Main, acknowledging receipt of his communication of that date alluding to the good condition of the battery at Mayrant's, near Georgetown. The proposed battery at Frazer's Bluff, though most desirable, was, he feared, liable to be cut off and seized by the enemy, lie desired the construction of a work for two or three 2i-pounders, to command the North San tee, at a bluff near Lad-son's, in the direction of Ilame's Ferry. He also inquired about the condition of the battery of one 32-pounder, commanding the South Santee, and wished to know whether or not the stream could be so obstructed as to allow the removal of that gun to the battery at Ladson's.

5. On the 7th General Mercer was requested to confer with Commodore Tatnall, C. S. N., commanding the Naval Department in Savannah, concerning the fitting out of a small gunboat (not ironclad) with heavy guns, to be placed in a cut near the river obstructions, where the ground was known to be low and soft. General Beauregard suggested the construction of an iron shield on board, arranged to protect the guns, and the throwing up of a levee around the gunboat further to secure its safety. He thought it would be a great saving, both of time and labor.

6. On the 8th of November he wrote the following letter to Governor Pickens:

" Governor. —Your letter of the 5th inst. was received after I had given the orders for Cash's regiment to report to General Walker, who, being near est to the enemy, will require one of the best colonels with him; but I will endeavor to leave him in the Georgetown District.

" With regard to the labor furnished for the defences of the city, the plant ers have done nobly, but they must not stop three-fourths of the way. Should Charleston fall for want of proper works, they will be the largest sufferers in the end. Your idea of organizing negro laborers with the troops is one I have already recommended to the Government long ago. I think that one company of one hundred negroes, as pioneers, per two regiments of one thou sand men each, would be a good proportion of laborers, and would leave the troops to attend to their legitimate duties of drill and guard, so that eacli brigade of the four regiments would have two hundred negro pioneers or la borers. Our Southern soldiers object most strenuously to work with spades and shovels. They will do it in very pressing emergencies, but, on ordinary occasions, do more grumbling than work. They prefer, decidedly, to fight.

" I find so much difficulty in procuring mechanics and materials here for the construction of Captain Lee's marine torpedo-ram, that I will have to stop

building it. Charleston cannot furnish all the labor and material required for the building of three rams at once; one or two of these must be stopped, to enable the other to be completed; otherwise all three will remain unfinished •when the enemy will make his appearance here. I am free to confess that I believe our ordinary gunboats will effect but little against the enemy's new gigantic monitors, provided they can get here in safety from the North. We must attack them under water, where they are the most vulnerable, if we wish to destroy them, and the torpedo-ram is the only probable way of accomplish ing that desirable end. Moreover, one of these can be furnished in at least half the time required for an ordinary-sized gunboat-ram.

"With regard to your supposition that the enemy will not make a land attack on our coast before disposing of Lee's army, I believe they will do so as soon as the forces in Virginia shall have gone into winter-quarters, thus enabling them to send reinforcements South for a campaign; and, with their great facilities of transportation, they could get them here before we could ours. Respectfully, your obdt. servt.,

" G. T. BEATTREGARD, Gcnl. Comdg."

7. Two days after the foregoing letter was penned the follow ing communication was sent to Colonel James Chestnut, Jr., at that time in command of the State Reserves of South Carolina:

"HEADQUARTERS, DEFT. S. C., GA., AND FLA., CHARLESTON, S. C., Nov. 10^, 1862.

" Colonel, —A few days ago I answered your telegram, informing you that I would be able to furnish an artillery officer to make the examination of the Santee River, referred to by you in your telegram, asking you to name when and where he should report, but thus far I have received no answer. Mean while I have read with satisfaction the excellent report of Mr. Nicrnsce rela tive to his recounoissance of the Santee River, from Lowncle's Ferry to Now-elFs Point, and of the information obtained by him relative to the North and South Santee, from the point of junction to their mouths. My conclusion is, that Nowell's Point is the proper position to be fortified, and the river ought to be obstructed, not more than four hundred yards below the fort. This obstruction, I think, can be made of several rows of piles (should the bottom permit it), interlaced with a properly constructed abatis of trees—live-oaks, if possible.

" As it is not probable that the enemy's ironclad boats will be able to ascend to that point of the river, the armament of the battery need not consist of heavier guns than 32-pounders, smooth-bore (three or four), and about two rifled 24-pounders. All of these guns to be separated by heavy traverses, or placed by twos in detached batteries. Rifle-pits should also be provided (not enfiladed from the river) for the infantry support to the batteries. The thickness of the parapets of the latter should be about twenty feet, and of the rifle-pits twelve or fifteen feet. The height of the crest of the batteries (which may be half sunk) should be about six feet above the front ground.

and about eight feet above the rear terre-plein, for the greater protection, of the men.

" I have given orders for the construction of a battery of three or four guns at or about Ladson's Bluff, on the North Santee, which, I suppose, is the one called by Mr. Niernsee 'Bear Hill Bluff.'

"I am informed that the battery at Mayranfs Bay, towards Georgetown, is armed and completed; and I hope that the new regiment of the State Reserves (Cash's) I have ordered to report to General Trapier, in command of Georgetown District, will be able to support these two batteries until other forces can be sent in that direction.

" Respectfully, your obdt. servt.,

" G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Comdg."

8. The following letter was addressed to the Hon. William P.

Miles:

" CHARLESTON, S. C.,Nov. llth, 1802.

"Dear Colonel, — * * * I regret much to learn that we are to receive no more additional 10-inch columbiads than the ten referred to by yon. Of course I understand the inability of the War Department to furnish more, but it is worth the most serious consideration of the Government to determine which is of most value to us at this moment—the free navigation of the Mississippi, which, from the nature of things, we cannot use; or the port of Charleston, which is now our only means of communication with Europe, especially at this juncture, when we are expecting so many things of vital importance to the country from that quarter. I sent, yesterday, to the De partment a letter of General Ripley's on the subject of having a 15-inch gun cast here. It seems it can be done—at a high cost, it is true; but I have great faith in the weight of metal (about 500 pounds) which could be thrown from it. Three of such guns—one at Sumter, one at the Enfilade Battery, and one at Fort Ripley—would, I think, supply the place of a good boom across the channel between Sumter and Moultrie.

" Should you think favorably of the project, I hope you will support it towards the War Department. Why could not 10-inch guns be made at Macon, getting the iron from Spartanburg, which, I understand, is about the best in the country, according to General Ripley ?

" Hoping to see you soon, I remain, yours very truly,

" G. T. BEAUREGARD."

9. On the ITth the gratifying news was received that the Secre tary of War had authorized the immediate casting of the 15-inch gun, and that through him Colonel Miles hoped to be able, ere long, to procure other 10-inch guns for Charleston. But the con cluding part of the despatch spoke of Mr. Randolph's resignation, just sent in, and deplored it as "a great loss to us," for he took deep interest in General Beauregard's efforts thoroughly to secure

Charleston and its harbor, and would have done his utmost in furtherance of that end.

On the same day the condition of General Trapier's Military District was made known to the War Department, and prompt action solicited for his immediate relief. The means at his com mand were alarmingly small. The battery at Mayrant's Bluff, reported to be in a state of readiness, had no other support than such as could be afforded by mounted troops and field artillery. The regiments of infantry under him (Colonel Cash in com mand) were State Reserves, called out for ninety days, and had been sent to their post of duty without arms or ammunition.

10. On the 21st General Beauregard, in reply to General How-ell Cobb's inquiries as to the precise nature of his duties in Middle Florida,-" wrote the following letter:

"Dear General, —Your letter of the 19th inst. has just been delivered to me by Captain Banon, your Adjutant-General.

"The order you refer to was not understood at first by me either; but I learn that you arc to be in command of one of the Districts (not Departments) in Florida—under my orders—and Brigadier-General Finegau of the other. Your headquarters are to be at Quincy.

" General Fincgan is at present in Tallahassee, where you will go to re lieve him, and receive whatever instructions he may have in his possession from the War Department.

" The means at our command, for the defence of my Department (S. C., Ga., and Fla., to the Chattahoochec) are very limited; so much so, that I am un able to spare one man from South Carolina and Georgia for Florida at pres ent ; but I hope, after the fall campaign in Virginia, troops will be sent for the defence of my Department. Meanwhile, AVC must do the best we can, by calling on the State authorities for all the assistance they can furnish us. I think, on assuming command of your district, it would be desirable to draw up a concise statement of its exact defensive condition and resources for the files of this Department. General Finegan will do the same for his own dis trict. In conclusion, I am most happy that you have been ordered to assist me in the defence of so large and so important a section of our country, and I have no doubt that, with sufficient means, the result can but be honorable to yourself and advantageous to our cause.

"I hope, erelong, to have the assistance of your brother in Georgia. I am happy to hear of his recent promotion.

" Yours, very truly,

u G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl. Corndg. 1 '

* General Cobb had been ordered by the War Department (November 1) to report for duty to General Beauregard.

11. Major Pope, Chief of Ordnance, received the following-special instructions on the 22d:

" 1. The 8-inch shell (naval) gun, now on the wharf, will be transported and placed on the new battery at John's Island Ferry.

u 2. The 32-pounder navy gun, being rifled and banded at Eason's shop, must be sent, when ready for service, to White Point Battery, to be placed in position on the Ashley River, adjoining the position at the salient intended for heavier guns.

"3. The 10-inch bronze (old pattern) mortar on wharf will be placed in Battery Wagner, Morris Island.

"4. New beds and elevating screws will be supplied, as soon as possible, for three 10-inch mortars in Fort Sumter.

"5. If not already done, one rifled and banded 32-pounder will be trans ferred from Battery Means to Beauregard.

"6. If not already done, a 12-pounder rifled piece outside of Fort Pember-ton will l)e sent, with the proper supply of ammunition, to Winyaw Bay.

" 7. Two 24-pounder guns (on siege carriages) now on the eastern cremail-Ure lines of James Island will be sent to battery at Willtown Bluff, in Second Military District.

" 8. The 32-pounder recently ordered to be banded to replace a defective piece in Fort Moultrie, when ready for service, will be sent to Battery Glover, to take place of a 32-pounder to be brought here by commanding officer of First District, to be banded and rifled.

" 9. All guns, when sent or transferred to positions not already sufficiently supplied with ammunition, will be at once furnished with about one hundred rounds of the proper character and proportion."

12. On the same day plans and instructions for placing ob structions, by piling, etc., in the Chattahoochee (Florida) and Flint River (Georgia) were forwarded to Captain F. Moreno, Corps of Provisional Engineers, at Columbus, Ga. And General Finegan, at his own request, was also advised as to obstructing the Appa-lachicola River below the batteries, with a view to avoiding com plication with the State authorities.

13. The effects of the resignation of Mr. Randolph, as Secre tary of War, were soon felt in Charleston, as will be seen by the following telegrams :

" Genl. BEAUREGARD : " RICHMOND, Nov. 25^, 1862.

" The two 7-inch guns are turned over to navy for Mobile.

u T. S. RIIETT, Col. and Insp. of Ord'cc."

" Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD : " RICHMOND, Nov. 26^, 1862.

" After all our efforts we lose the two 7-inch guns. Dispute between Gor-gas and Mallory was laid before President yesterday, and he ordered guns to Mobile. Great disappointment. WM. PORCHER MILES."

General Beanregard remonstrated, but without avail. In a telegram to General Cooper lie said:

" I learn with regret from Colonel Rhett that the two 7-inch rifled guns have been turned over to the navy for Mobile. The necessity for a much larger number of the heaviest guns here is increased, as the boom is likely to prove a failure."

1-i. A very unpleasant misunderstanding now occurred between the Commanding General of the Department and Major Childs, ordnance officer in charge of the Charleston Arsenal. A clear and comprehensive explanation of it is given in the following

letter:

" HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OP S. C., GA., AND FLA.,

CHARLESTON, S. C., Nov. 27fA, 1802. " Genl. SAM. COOPER, Acljt. and Insp.-Genl., Richmond, Ya.:

" General, — About the 20th inst., having ascertained that a sufficient num ber of guns of the heaviest calibre could not be procured for the defence of this important harbor, and that the floating boom across its entrance would possibly be a failure, I determined to hasten, by all practicable means in my power, the rifling and banding of as many 42 and 32 pounders, already in position in the works of this harbor, as time and the limited means under my control would permit.

"But having ascertained by actual experiment that the rifling and banding of a 32-pounder by the ordnance officer, Major F. L. Childs, in charge of the Arsenal here, had taken more than four weeks to be completed, and having at least twenty other guns of that calibre and of 42-pounders to rifle and band in a similar manner, it became evident to me it would be utterly impossible to complete them in time for the pressing emergencies of our situation.

"About the same time Brigadier-General R. S. Riplcy, commanding First Military District, having informed me that he felt convinced he could have the alterations desired made in less than half the time taken by the Ordnance Department, if I would place the matter under his control, and being extreme ly anxious to have the work done as soon as practicable, I issued Special Or ders No. 229, of which the following is the section bearing on the case, viz., par. iii.: ' The Commanding General of the First Military District has the au thority to direct and order the rifling and banding of such guns as require it within his command, to the extent of the capacity for doing the work effect ually, and may make requisitions directly upon the Charleston Arsenal, or other proper source, through his district ordnance officer, for the necessary material for the work.'

" General Riplcy immediately took the matter in hand, caused several heavy guns to be dismounted from the works and brought to Messrs. Eason & Co/s foundery in this city, and made on Major Childs a requisition, in pursuance of the orders already referred to, for two sets of bands for 42-pouudcr guns in depot. Major Childs declined to issue, enclosing me the requisitions en dorsed as follows:

" 'Respectfully referred to General Beauregard, to know if it is his desire to devolve any portion of my duties upon General Ripley. The bands wanted have been waiting at Cameron's establishment for some time for the guns to be sent up. If General Ripley continues to send guns as fast as they are wanted, he will accomplish all he can possibly do, and not violate the reiterated orders and regulations of the Ordnance Bureau.'

"This paper was returned by me with the following endorsement:

" ' The necessities of the service require that Special Order No. 229, from these headquarters, shall be carried into effect.'

" But having called on both of said officers for a statement of the shortest time in which the rifling and banding could be done, under the superintend ence of each, their answers were as follows:

" General Ripley says :

" ' Messrs. Eason & Co. inform me they can band and rifle two guns in nine days from this date, and that they can continue to turn out one or two guns thereafter every five or seven days, if they have the bands. They can furnish the bauds them selves after ten days. I believe them.'

" Major Childs says :

" ' That full three weeks have heretofore been taken by Messrs. Eason & Brother in rifling and banding 32-pounder and 42-pounder guns, but that by working at night and on Sunday, and distributing the work between Eason and Cameron, I hope to be able to finish one gun per week. I should state that it is only lately that Cameron & Co. have procured a lathe large enough to hold a 32-pounder.'

" I therefore determined that the former should direct those important alterations, on which might depend the safety of this harbor and city.

" On or about the 23d instant Major Childs called on me to express his ob jection to Order No. 229, stating that the Ordnance Department would not pay for work done at the founderies of this city not ordered by him. I then remarked that in that event I w T ould procure the money from other sources, intending in that case to call on the City or State authorities to pay for the rifling and banding of the guns intended specially for the defence of this harbor.

" On the 26th instant General Ripley again sent the same requisitions to Major Childs, who reiterated positively his refusal until he had seen me. General Ripley then went to the Arsenal in person, accompanied by an armed force, to compel, if necessary, obedience to Order No. 229. Major Childs, hav ing again refused to issue the bands called for, alleging that he washed to see the General commanding the Department before complying with the Or ders he had received, General Ripley felt compelled to arrest him; and as he refused to turn over his duties to the next officer in rank, Lieutenant Eraser, General Ripley called on the latter to inform him where the bands were.

" They were found in a yard adjoining the Arsenal, and were taken possession of; the necessary invoices and receipts were furnished, and the bands trans ported to the foundeiy, where the guns were waiting for them. In order, how ever, not to delay at this critical moment the important operations of the Ordnance Department, the limits of Major Childs had been extended to those

of the City of Charleston, and he had been authorized to attend to all the cur rent duties of his position.

" Charges and specifications have been preferred against Major Childs by General Ripley, as per copy herewith. Before ordering a court I shall await the instructions of the War Department in this case. I can but express my regret at the occurrence just referred to, especially at this critical juncture, •when so much energy and harmony should prevail in all the departments of the service. But I must be permitted to state, as my deliberate opinion, that so lone: as the Arsenal is kept here, in so close proximity to the headquarters of the Department and of the First District, so long will there be a clashing of authority between them; for in the military service an imperium in imperio cannot be permitted without a conflict of authority sooner or later. More over, the Chiefs of Ordnance of this Department and District, relying too much on the supplies of the Arsenal, of which they arc not fully informed, often make requisitions at too short notice, thereby causing unnecessary delays and confusion.

"Again, the failure of the floating boom across the entrance of this harbor, and the impossibility of obtaining a sufficient quantity of the heaviest ord nance (as already called for), renders the removal of the Arsenal to a safer locality a matter of urgent necessity, leaving here only such stores and sup plies as may be absolutely required for the immediate wants of this District and Department. Several weeks ago I called the attention of Major Childs to the probable necessity of such a change of locality, and he reported to me, a short time after, that he had made the selection of a place in the northwest ern part of this State for the Arsenal to be removed to, and that he had given orders for the immediate construction there of the necessary buildings, etc. I therefore respectfully but earnestly request the War Department to give such orders as will insure the immediate translation of the Arsenal from this city to the place already selected by Major Childs.

" I remain, Sir, very respectfully, your obt. servt,,

" G. T. BEAUREGAKD, Genl. Comdg.

" p t S.—The accompanying papers are enclosed herewith, marked as follows:

"A.—R. S. Ripley, Brig.-Genl. Commanding. Reports circumstances con nected with arrest of Major F. L. Childs, and encloses charges and specifi cations against that officer.

U B.—R. S. Ripley, Brig.-Genl. Charges and specifications preferred against Major F. L. Childs, C. S. Art'y.

U C.—F. L. Childs, Major, C. S. A. In relation to his arrest by Brig.-Genl. Ripley, for refusing to fill a requisition.

U D.—G. T. Bcaurcgard, Genl. Commanding. Giving reasons for the arrest of Major F. L. Childs, etc.

" KB.— CHARLESTON, S. C., Nov. 30, 18G2.

"This letter and accompanying papers have been delayed to enable Major-General B. linger to arrange this whole matter without resorting to a court-martial; but he has failed to do so, Major Childs not yet understanding the gravity of his offence. He seems to think that the Ordnance Department was created solely for the special benefit of its officers; and as I will necessarily

be compelled to bring charges against him myself, I have the honor respect fully to suggest that the War Department will order, as soon as practicable, the assembling of a court for his immediate trial.

"Respectfully, G. T. B."

It is proper here to state that, before the foregoing letter had had time to reach General Cooper—for, as it was shown, circum stances prevented it from being forwarded until several days after it was written—a telegram from Richmond, dated December 1st, was received by General Beauregard. It read as follows:

"The Secretary of War directs that you M'ill release Major Childs, restore him to duty, and report the facts to this office.

" JNO. WITHERS, Asst. Adjt.-Genl."

In vain was the War Department asked to suspend its decision until the matter could be further examined into. The order was reiterated and insisted upon, as appears by this telegram, dated Richmond, December 2d, 1862 :

" The Secretary of War directs that commanding officers of arsenals are immediately responsible to the War Department, and not subject to arrest by the commanding generals, unless under extraordinary circumstances. Unless Major Childs's case be deemed such, he directs that the order of yesterday be executed. S. COOPER, A. and Ins.-Genl."

General Beauregard thought he had been sufficiently clear in his explanation to the War Department. lie would have nothing further to do with the matter; and the order was executed.

Thus was the querulous freak of a subordinate officer openly upheld by the authorities at Richmond, regardless of the perni cious example set by such a precedent, and of the mortification it would bring upon a commanding general, whose only motive was to hurry up his arrangements to meet the threatened assault of the enemy, and who knew what prompt and vigorous action the emergency required.

Governor Pickens happening to be in Charleston at that time, General Beauregard called on him and explained the unwarrant able interference of the Government. The general's indignation was so great that he declared his intention to apply at once to be relieved from the command of his Department and ordered " to the field;'' and, should this request be denied, then—as the only alternative left him—to resign his commission. But Governor Pickens, while acknowledging the unfairness of the Adrninistra-

tion, vehemently protested against the adoption of such a course. He appealed to General Beauregard—first as a friend, then as the Governor of South Carolina—and entreated him to remain at his post. He declared that he had faith in no other commander for the safety of Charleston at this juncture, and that South Carolina would willingly defray the expenses of banding and rifling all the guns needed, should Congress fail to pass a special bill to that effect. He was so earnest, and spoke so feelingly on the subject, that General Beauregard determined to overlook this new affront, and continue his efforts to save Charleston, despite the annoy ances and obstacles thrown in his way.

It may be added, before dismissing this subject, that General Beauregard was hardly through with the work of banding and rifling his heavy guns when, in April, 1863, the attack of the Federal fleet was made. That event will be discussed hereafter. It is historically true, however, that the repulse of that attack was due, not only to the intrepidity of the troops in forts Sumter and Moultrie, and in the other defensive works in and around the harbor, but also—and in no small degree—to the heav} 7 banded and rifled guns prepared for, and so effectually used on, that memorable occasion. And yet when, several months afterwards, the Ordnance Department was called upon to pay for the impor tant work thus performed for the safety of Charleston and of the Confederate cause, it peremptorily declined to do so. The matter was brought before Mr. Seddon, the successor of Mr. Randolph as Secretary of War, but he would have nothing to do with it, because, as he said, " the Ordnance regulations had to be obeyed and carried out." It was only when Colonel William Porcher Miles, Chairman of the Military Committee in the House, ex pressed his intention to lay the question before Congress, and de mand a special appropriation for that purpose, that Mr. Seddon finally issued the order, and had the bill paid by the Ordnance Department.*