The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-15
EFFECT OF TIE FALL OF SAVANNAH.
6ov Magrath Tries TO Save The ConfedeIacy
Independent Of Jefferson Davis.
A REVOLUTION WITHIN A REVOLUTION.
Vance Ready for Revolutionary Measures
Under Certain Contingencies.
PART FIRST.

Gen. H. =. Ripley Ready 20 ResiGn from she
Military Service Of tho ConEsdcracy asa
Eater TINT orthe state OF South CaroIiss.
CHARLESTON. Dec. IS. 1864.
Sir: Late events aud orders have suygcstr
cd the rropriety and nrn-,ssity OF addressing
you on tho subject OF the past defence OF South
Carolina. and my connection herewith and the
service of tho Confedcracy.
1t Is we'll known to YOUR Excollcncy that when
South Carolina stood alone at tao call Of the
Executive. resumed military iabors and re-
responsibilities then for some years laid aside.
The duties devolving upon mo were performed
to tho extent OF my abilities. and resulted in n
success In which, - sOrio degree. was an as
sistnnt. Notwithstanding. it was soon appar-
ont TINT. from some reasons aoemingly person.
al. no rccoghition OF past and little assistance
In future efforts were to he expected from
tho chief Confederate authorities SO far
as / was concerned. aud believing thas
my usefulness would be much abridged,
was ready to leave tho military service. the
immediate object for which the Governor Of
South Carolina had called upon mo having
boon accomplished. At tho instance Of the
authorities. and upon the irgent representa-
ton OF many citizens of tho state. to tho effect
that my services were still necessary con-
sented to remain during the period of danger.
Events progressed. tho fortunes of the Confed-
eraey looked bright. and although many who
had been my juniors in former service. and
later In tho cause than l. were preferred before
mo for no apparent reason. devoted myself to
preparing defence for these people with
whom had cast my LOT.
At the urgent Importantly and demand OF the
largo majority Of the citizens OF the metropo-
lis finally. in August. 1861. the Confederate
Executive conferred upon mo tho rank which
have since held charging mo with the duty OF
defending tho whole coast Of South Carolina.
Tho tnsk was Horculean. previous prepare
lions Mt important points had boon small. time
WAS short. but. nevertheless. overy exertiou
was made to do all which could DO hoped for.
Port Royal fell soon aftsr my assuming tho
command. For this was not immediately re-
sponsbe. but the causes were 70 be found In
tick: Tr2ons We're raised. the command which
duties Became more ' esnecay ON
the defence OF Charleston and its vicinity. To
da nns wsh to- e"nS nor aus.
victory to be won at tho eHrcnsc OF tho loss OF
Ss OF ana
from their homo9 Ny object was by prOparA-
so soy he Would
HELPLESS ones unframed and permit our nom
Tho then commaniov OF the dopartment in the
main concurrod in nay views. mud gave mo full
The sSrins Of II ls2 ' cams cEHn er OF poIisy
was ordered to carry out measures which
b. a ~S s IS S
| ton OF tho most important strategic point OF
OF tho State, These opposed rs FAR NJ military
| proprioty would permit and when unsuccess-
s s Of tho Hf MffS p np
| piled for orders and proceeded ,hither. The
& n Via sV oe "ssi ts Ito rss
number OF bntt!os included served sometimes
Durims sarf "ave Of bs"nca nth" rsSoW
| orinH from wound. Ut tho request OF the dele.
Georgia and OF the Governor Of tho former
| state. was returned t. this depart mont and
Sssrsea rho Of Rad
brought its result IN IA standing occupation OF
| had fol led his nearer approach TO Charleston.
fold, ana i was soon Well known hat q novel
method OF attack by sen preniSirel with All the
sSas
| With our Deficiencies in material. to prepare to
sppax s.ra A serc II amn A.
| tra,ion which foreboded future disasters, and
ad n and tho hsa
Of the department. Tho nttack csIno, and the
Of or o on u
| and practice was easily won.
ton to myself ami other oiilcors in tho SUD
OF # oSar, m c ad n.
character. The enemy having beon foiled in
against ss morris Island and it was lily proSded
FOR defence Mt its southern oItrcmity. Ths
%hc was Hi o Of
tion lately refericd 90. boon placed under stafi
ls ssS% pbs a nsS
imr2rtancS o; lL9 ,E"sit,on nnI9fio9s With
sG " the pdn M Th
the labor furnished by our cltIaons who have
Willingness viii to provide was being expended
miles away. some progress was nindo and tho
rssenesi TOR " sa wRoso nth
SsTsny ena not ysrs r.
action was checked, Tho matter was confined
to tho direction Of those who had previously
shss AND On h ns
the onomy attacked tho weak position by land
iias
with the powerful numbers ard immense me-
s %na 81 esr. s bn
question Of time, That time was rvolonced by
sr Il fs4sT. ss A hs
principal wn.er dofonos had been rendered
10 % M Hf aq ans nG
homes liy Erost activity forced ~ ne Inn Inn
the Ial "Gs cr as
fence during tho limo. and. although the enemy
sr Gs nsef approach
| Daring this lerlod was IN command. which
WISH o rSS se hs and
vdin.- for tho over changing events Of the
q Ss sss. o ,hs Can S s hs
ecutiye toward ms by tho arrival % II stan ON
Ger who had mover cpramanted troops. and ca
overlook II not supersehs me. Feelng con.
scious that had dono all IN my power 70 aver
the disaster which we worO then struggling tc
| postpone could not but fool injured. and hat
It not beon FOR the argent solicitations Of promi
mont citizens ard pressing danger. would have
ut once retired from tho service. Such con
slderation prevailed, and httor having borne
, the burden throughout tho struggle. when tn,
respite came without any complaint OF mi