St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-15

the department commander ulSmemDereu
my district into three portions, reducing my
military standing and confning my
efforts. Under this new military injury l re-
NAMED until was officially Informed that
new attacks were to be apprehended, and it
was represented that my services were neces-
sary. They were freely rendered, and Wig
lance retained our positions during the win
ter of 1863 and 1864 Many things, however,
required to be done to continue preparation
against future probable attacks, and, although
much was ccomplished, much remained un-
done. My responsibility had been curtailed
with nv command, and the order of which
the enforcement had principally caused the
loss OF Morris island and the long-range
ombardment of Charleston still remained in
force.
With full appreciation of its effects, 1
protested against it, and gave my reasons.
The protest was unheeded and returned to
me. and an inquisition instituted concerning
the events of the previous summer, for the
apparent purpose OF endeavoring to prove
that the neglect of Morris island was a proper
military measure to which credit and no re-
sponsibility should attach, despite the evil
dence of the destructive missiles continually
showering upon defenseless citizens. could
not and did not concur in any such views,
and nv answers to interrogatOrics as useless
as the apparent object was futile were given
accordingly, regardless of the dispeasure of
the high officer to whom l always believed
the respon sibility attached. That this was
incurred by my adherence to what believe
to have been truth in its most sacred charac-
ter had soon reason to know.
While occupied with my duties daily and
nightly watching and combating the enemy
various events transpired, and in the spring
of the present year a change of commanders
took place. The officer who succeeded to the
department was a stranger, ignorant OF the
localities and the situation. The geographical
limits of my command were partially restored
and efforts were made to continue prepara-
tions for defense. These were strenuous on
nv part, and doubt not that the command
ing general intended that his should be the
same. But the system inaugurated in the
order referred to still continued, and time
passed By while many necessary things were
undone, and more uninterrupted. Endeavors
to cause evil military measures to be remedied
brought on me animadversions which soon
took the form of inquisition into my private
conduct, and espionage under official instruc-
tions.
Meantime the city was visited by its local
pestilence. Every general officer, with most
of the staff, left or avoided the city for per-
sonal safety, but, although our strength was
sadly reduced, and but little could be done,
and I had lately accorded permission to re-
move my headquarters for health,I could not
reconcile it with my ideas of duty to desert
my post.
Another change of commanders took place
meantime, and while one superior was absent
and another who had been ordered had not
arrived, the pressure of events called the
commanding general from the vicinity. Do
ing my duty on the spot, where have for
most OF the war served in this cause, sue
ceeded to the command Of the troops in the
state to be superseded on the abatement of
the fever, and soon after TO be deprived of
command by the arrival of gallant officer,
himself in i'll health, who had no knowledge
of the locality, and who was totally neXperi-
enced in seacoast defense. 1t was probably
expected that this series Of injuries and
treatment so CALLING and notifying to the
feelings of soldier who had tried faithfully,
and on some occasions successfully, TO de-
fend those interests intrusted to his charge,
would induce me to resign my commission,
but, deeming it more than probable that
should be required, / remained and strove
seeded me- In the belief that should be
wanted was strengthened by the expressed
opinion of the great majority of the legisla
tive delegation, aud the principal citizens Of
Charleston, who positively stated their belief
that my removal was Il public calamity.
Meanwhile the officer, whose errors in adj
ministration positively believed to have
caused the loss OF Morris island aud its at
teudant disasters, returns to the command
of the department, and while the organiza-
ton of our citizens is being discussed avows
that personal reasons cause him to dsapprove
of my Being employed on that service, which,
10 the extent of the organization, could not
help but be useful. This occurred weeks
since, and the organization has just COM
menced. He has refused to receive note
asking his reasons, though handed him by a
prominent citizen of this state, though | was
then off duty, and he was informed that it
was respectful in character. Mean time pri-
vate inouisition under his orders goes on as
IL to strive 10 base allegations of military
misconduct on private acts and manners.
Failing in this, when danger IS st our door,
I am ordered on distant service in lower
position than have held during most Of the
war, and when l know that my services can
be best rendered where they were first given,
and at that point which long experience has
rendered familiar to me.
Under these circumstances, feeling that
the same Influences might pursue me to the
new field Of duty to which am ordered,
checking and thwarting my eudeavors, and
with a paramount danger threatening thst
state which first called me into service, ii be-
comes serious question whether my con-
ueetion with the Confederate provisional
army can be of more benefit to this cause
than it has hitherto been to myself. In the
new command il is more than to be expected,
judging from my past experience, that shall
be without power 70 render that service which
the cause and the condition OF affairs de-
maud. South Carolina now requires the ser
/ vices OF every man. To herI gave mine be-
I fore the Coufederacy existed, and when those
| who. on grounds of expediency or umidity,
waited to ascertain the strength of the reYolu-
/ ton in which she risked au, freely gave
/ what was in nv power 10 assist her. am
/ still willing aud anxious to serve as com
menced. until those obligations which first
assumed are cancelled by other acts thaa
/ niue. For the reasons 10 which / have al
/ lnded, believing that no services which 1t can
/ be possible to render can De paramount TO
4 these now demanded here. / would cheerfuHy
resign at once the noniually high rank which
! now hold in the Confederate army 70 take
/ such service as | eau best render the state OF
South Carolina, knowing thst in serving her
J I shall serve well the cause fo- which we are
( al struggling.
have addressed this letter to your excel
.