Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-15

GeEs H. - llpieE Ready Ia resign rom
the service of the COnfederacv and
Enter that OF the state of south Caro-
lima.
CHARLESTON, Dec. >, 1864.
STR-L2te events ana orders have sug-
sested the prOpTiety and necessity OF ad-
dress NJ you on the subject Of the past de-
feLse q south carolina, ana nv cOnnec-
tion Herewith, and the service Ofthe Con-
fClerlcy.
Il Is sell known TO your Excsllency
That when South Carolina stood alone at
tle ell u the executive, l resumed mill
lazy ld5Ors and responsibilities then for
some years LAID aside. The duties devOlv-
ing upon me were performed to the extent
81 my abilities, and resulted in a success
n which, to some degree, was an assist
ant Notwithstanding, 1t was soon ap-
parent that, from some reasons seemingly
g5eTsocal, no recognition OF past and little
assistance in future efforts were
20 be expected from the chief
Confederate authorities so far
- / was concerned. and believing that
M usefulness would be much abridged,
, was ready to leave the military service,
III Immediate object for which the
ClylFaOr Of South Carolina had called
upon me having been accomplished. At
she instance of the authorities, and upon
the urgent representation of many citi-
services were still necessary, | consented
20 remain during the period of danger.
Events progressed, the fortunes OF the
ConfederaCy looked bright, and although
many VINO mad been my juniors in former
service. and later IN the cause than l,
we're preferred before me for no apparent
reason. devoted myself to preparing
defense for these people with whom had
cast my lot.
At the urgent importantly and demand
of the large majority Of the citizens OF the
metropolis, finally II August, 1861, the
Confederate eXC CutiVe conferred upon me
the rank which have since held, charg-
ing me with the duty of defending
the whole coass of South Carolina.
The task was Herculean, previous
preparations at important points ha
had been small, time was short. but, new
ertheless. every eXertIOn was made to do
all which could be hoped for. Port Royal
fell soon after my assuming the command.
For this | was not Immediately response
bic, but the causes we're to be found IN
the natural and material advantages for
its attack. Troops were raised, the CON-
mand which | had held was merged in
larger. and my duties became cOncentrat-
ed more especially on the defence OF
Charleston and its vicinity. To that end
nv whole energy was devoted.
I did not wish TO invite attack nor cause
victory to be won at the expense OF the
soss Of prosperity, the devastation OF pri-
vate property, and the misery Oh women
and children driven from their homes.
NV object was by preparation to warn tine
enemy Of the danger Of his attack so
strongly that he would leave our helpless
ones unframed and permit our hOn-cOm-
Blatant population 10 be usefully en-
plOyed. The then commander Of the de-
pSFtment in the main cOncurred IN my
views, and gave me full assistance, but
Elpon change taking place, IN the spring
of 1861 came 9 change Of policy. was
ordered to carry out measures which then
believed, and which events have proven
20 be. most disastrous, including the
evacuation of the most important stra-
tegic point OF approach TO Charleston and
the richest granary OF the State. These
opposed as far as military prOprlety would
permit and when unsuccessful, as
large portion OF our forces We're going TO
the defense Of the Confederate capital,
applied for orders and proceeded thither.
The campaign Of the seven days and the
tirst invasion of Maryland followed. In
the greatest number OF battles included L
served sometimes as brigade, at others
as a division commander.
During a short leave Of absence while
recovering from 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
department aud assigned to the command
which had before exercised. The evac-
uation OF Coles Island had brought is re-
suit in a standing occupation of the har.
Dor Of the Stone BY the enemy, although,
under Providence. the gallantry of eur
soldiers had foiled his nearer approach to
Charleston. The IabOrs of command were
increased many fold, and it was soon well
known that a novel method OF at
tack 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
material, to prepare to repel thls attack
was nv care. In the task, although there
were some matters Of administration
which foreboded future disasters, and
which | did not scruple 70 mention, l
had the countenance and assistance OF
the commander of the department. The
attack came. and the victory OF April 4,
1858. having been provided for by long
months Of preparation and practice, was
easily won.
Soon after there arose cause of dissatis-
faction 10 myself and other officers in the
suppression Of proper military reports,
and the publication OF others, but the
danger threatening OyershadOWed every
thing Of personal character. The enc
nv having been fOiled in his personal at
EGcE. commenced MS dzaAAS1
Norris Island, and Il was lily provided for
defense at its southern extremity. The
charge Of such provision had, BY an order
which was one Of the matters Of admin
istration lately referred 10, been placed
under stan officers, by whom it was ne
elected. l had no Immediate Tespon-
sibilitv. but, feeling the vital lmp0r-
tance OF the position, undertook, with
the labor Of our soldiers, to supply the
deficiency at the point Of the enemy's
approach, while the labor furnished by
our citizens who have been more or less
directly charged with unwilliDgness to
provide was being expended miles away.
some progress was mSde and the enemy
was checked for a tine. but on the re-
presentation OF stat officers, whose au-
fhoritv or existence l certainly would
not recognize, / was reported for disobe-
dierce Of orders. NV action was checked
The matter was confined TO the direction
OF those who had previously neglected IL.
Next 70 nothing was accomplished dur
iB-- three weeks. and on July 10 tue
enemy attacked tue weak position bg land
aud sea with a force which soon over
wbcimed its small garrison. lie gained
his point. whence with the power
flI numbers and immense ne
chauical aud material resources at his
disDosal. the reduction Of Norris Island
was INT a question OF time. That time
r~as prolonged by our gallant soldiers