St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-15
Gov. Magrath Tries to Save the C0nf8dGr-
aCy Independent Of Jefferson
Davis,
AREVOLURION WITHIN ARETOLUTION
GOT Vance Ready for Revolutionary
Measures Under Certain
Contingencies.
Published exclusively in the Northwest in the
SUNDAY GLOBE.
PART FIRST.
Gen. r. S. Ripley Ready to Resign From
the Service of the COnfederacy and
Enter that of the state of South
Carolina


the Service of the Confederacy and
Enter that of the State of South
Carolina.
CHARLESTON, Dec. %, 1864.
SIR: Late events and orders have sug-
geste the propriety and necessity OF ad-
dressing you on the subject of the past de-
fense Of South Carolina, apd my connection
Herewith and the service of the Confeder-
acy.
1t is well known to your excellency that
when South Carolina stood alone, at the call
of the executive, l resumed military labors
and responsibilities then for some years laid
aside. The duties devolving upon me were
performed to the extent of my abilities, and
resulted in success in which, to some de-
gree | was an assistant. Notwithstanding,
it was soon apparent that, from some rea-
sons seemingly personal, no recognition Of
past and little assistance in future efforts
were to be expected from the chief Confed-
crate authorities so far as / was concerned,
and believing that my usefulness would be
much abridged, was ready to leave the
military service, the immediate object for
which the governor of South Carolina had
called upon me having been accomplished.
At the INSTANCE of the authorities, and upon
the urgent representation Of many citizens
of the state, to the effect that my services
were still necessary, consented to remain
during the period of danger. Events pro-
gressed, the fortunes Of the Confederacy
looked bright, and although many who had
been my juniors in former service, and later
In the cause than 7, were preferred before
me for no apparent reason, devoted my
self TO preparing defense for these people
with whom ! had cast my lot.
At the urgent importunitY and demand Of
the large majority of the citizens of the me-
tropolis fnally,in August, 1861. the Confed-
crate executive conferred upon me the rank
which have since held, charging me with
the duty of defending the whole coast of
South Carolina. The task was Herculean,
previous preparations at important points had
been small, time was short, but, nevertheless,
every cxcrtion was made to do all which
could be hoped for. Port Royal fell soon
after my assuming the command. For this
/ was not Immediately responsible, but the
causes were TO be found in the natural and
material advantages for its attack. Troops
were raised, the command which had held
was merged in larger, and my duties be-
came concentrated more especially on the
defense of Charleston and its vicinity. To
that end my whole energy was devoted.
/ did not wish to invite attack nor cause
victory to be won at the expense of the loss
OF prosperity, the devastation of private prop
erty, aud the misery of women and chill
dreu driven from their homes. My object
was by preparation to warn the enemy of the
danger Of his attack so strongly that he would
leave our helpless ones uuharmcd and per-
nit our noncombatart population to be use
fully employed. The then commander Of
the department in the main concuTed in my
views, and gave me full assistance, but upon
change taking place, III the spring of S62
came change of policy. / was ordered to,
carry out measures which / then believed,
and which events have proven TO be most
disastrous, including the evacuation of the
most important strategic point of approach to
Charleston and the richest granary of the
state These l opposed far as military
propriety would permit, and when uusuccess-
ful, as large portion of our forces were go
ing to the defense of the Confederate capital,
I applied for orders and proceeded thither
The campaign Of the seven days and the first
invasion Of Maryland followed. In the
sometimes as brigade, at others as n diyis-
ion commander.
During 4 short leave Of absence while re-
covering from a wound, at the request of the
delegations in congress from South Carolina
and Georgia and of the governor of the
former state, / was returned to this depart
mcut and assigned TO the command which |
had before exercised. The evacuation Of
Coles island had brought its result in q
standing occupation Of the harbor Of the
Stono by the enemy, although under Provi-
deuce, the gallautry of our soldiers hsd
foiled his nearer approach to Charleston
The lahorS Of command were increased many
fold, and it was soon well known that Il novel
method of attack by sea, prepared with all
the ingenuity and mechanical skill of our
enemies, for our speedy destruction was TO
be sustained. With our deficiencies in ma
terial, to prepare 10 rcpel this attack was nv
care. In the task. although there were some
matters of administration which foreboded
future disasters, and which I did not scruple
to mention, had the countenluce aud as
sistauCe ~ the commander Of the depart-
mcut The attack came, and the victory of
the eth OF April, 1868, having been provided
FOR uy long months of preparation aud prac-
tice, WAS easily Won.
Soon after there arose cause OF disSatis-
faction to myself aud other officers in the
suppression OF proper military reports, and
the publication OF others, but the danger
threatening overshadowed everything OF !
personal character. The enemy having been
foiled in his personal attack, commenced hi:
approaches against Morris island, and it was
illy provided for defense al its southern eI
tremitv The charge Of such provision had,
by an order which was one OF the matters o.
administration lately referred to. been placed
under staff officers, by whom il was neg
lected had no immediate rsSpons sibility
but, feeling tde vital importance Of the 20
sitiou. undertook. with the labor Of out
soldiers, 70 supply the deficiency at the point
o. the euemy's approach, while the labor
furnished by our citizens (who have been
more or less directly chSrged with unwilling z
ness 10 provide) was being expended mile:
away. Some progress vas made aud The
enemy was checked for time, but on tht
represeutation ot staff officers. whose su
thority or existence certainly would not reci
ovuixe. I was reported for disobeoienee oi
orders. Nv action was checked The mat
terwas contued 20 the direction Of those vhc
had previously neglected il Next 10 noihins