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

been rendered pOwerless to lnJure zoe,
and the enemy had advanced his guns 10
within long range OF our homes. by
great activity. forced by the imminence
Of the danger and spasmOdically put
forth. other points had been prepared for
defense during the time, and, although
the enemy made strong efforts, his nearer
approach was checked and respite OBJ
tanned.
During this period was in command,
which was necessarily laborOus from the
number Of troops and the necessity of
watching and providing for the ever
changing events of the siege. | was mean
time furnished with another example of
the feelings of the Confederate executive
towards me By the arrival OF staff Of
tlcer, who had never commanded troops
and on whom superior rank had been
conferred, 10 overlook if not supersede
me. Feeling conscious that l had done
all in my power TO avert the disaster
which We were then struggling to post
pOne, ] could not but feel injured, and,
hSd il not been for the urgent sOlicita-
lions Of prominent citizens and pressing
danger, would have at once retired from
the service. Such considerations pre-
vailed, and, after having borne
the burden throughout the strug-
gle. when the respite came, with
out any complaint 81 my military
conduct, the department command
er dismembered my district into three
portions, reducing my military standing
and cCnnning my efforts, I nder this new
military injury | remained until | was
officially informed that new attacks were
10 be apprehended, and it was repre-
snnted that my services were necessary.
They were freely rendered, and vigilance
retained our positions during the winter
of 1858 and 1864. Many things. however,
required to be done to continue prepara-
tiOn against future probable attaCkS, and
. although much was accomplished. mucn
remained undOne. My responsibility had
been curtailed with my command, and
the order OF which the enforcement had
principally caused the loss Of Morris Is
land, and the lOng-range bombardment of
Charleston still remained in force.
With full appropriations Of its effects,
l protested against il, and gave my
reasons. The protest was UNDECIDED and
returned 10 me, and an inquisition insti-
tuted concerning the events of the previ-
GUS summer, for the apparent purpose OF
endeavOring 10 prove that the neglect of
Norris Island was a proper military
measure 10 which credit and no response
bIlity should attach, despite the evidence
OF the destructive missiles continually
ShOWeTing upon defenseleSs citizens. |
could not and did not concur in any such
views, and my answers TO interrOgatOries
as useless as the apparent object was fu-
tile were given accordingly. regardless Of
the displeasure Of the high officer TO whom
l always believed the responsibility at
tached. That this was incurred by my
adherence TO what believe to have been
truth in its most sacred character l had
soon reason 20 know.
While occupied with my duties daily,
and nightly watching and combating the
enemy, various events tTanspired, aud in
the spring Of the present year a change of
commanders took place. The officer who
succeeded TO the department was stran-
ger. ignorant of the localities and the sit
uatiOn. The geographical limits of my
command were partially restored, and
efforts were made TO continue prepara-
lions for defense. These were strenuous
on my part. and doubt not that the COM
handing 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 neces-
sary things were undOne, and more uuat-
tempted. EndeavOrs to cause evil mill
tary measures to he remedied brought on
me anim3dYersiens which soon took the
form of inquisition into my private con-
duct, and espionage nnder official instruc-
tons.
Meantime the city was visited by its
local pestilence. Every general officer,
city for personal safety, but although our
strength was sadly reduced, and but little
could be done, and | had lately accorded
permission to remove my headquarters
for health, could not reconcile it with
my ideas OF duty tc desert ny post.
Another change Of commanders took
place meantime, and while one superior
was absent, and another who had been or
dered had not arrived, the pressure of
events called the commanding General
from the vicinity. Doing my duty on the
spot where | have for most of the war
served in this cause, l succeeded 10 the
command of the troops in the state to be
superseded on the abatement0f the fever,
aud soon after to be deprived of command
Ger. himself in nl-health, who
had no knowledge of the locality, and
who was totally inexperienced in sea-
coast defense. 1t was probably expected
that this series of injuries and treatment
so CALLING aud mOrtiIylng TO the feelings
OF soldier who had tried faithfully, and
on some occasions successfully, TO defend
those interests intrusted to his charge,
would induce me to resign my commits
sion. but, deeming it more than probable
that | should be required, | remained and
strOve as far as possible to assist the Off
Ger who super seeded me. In the BELIEF
that | should be wanted | was strength
ened by the expressed opinion OF the great
majority Of the legislative delegation, and
the principal citizens of Charleston, who
positively stated their belief that my re-
mOval was public calamity.
Meanwhile the officer whose errors in
administration positively believe to have
caused the loss OF Morris Island and its
attendant disasters, returns to the COM
/ mand Of the department, and while the
! organization of our citizens IS being dis
/ cussed avOws that personal reasons cause
! him 10 disapprOve Of my being employed
on that service, which, to the extent Of
/ the organization, could not help but be
useful This occurred weeks since, and
/ the organization has Just commenced.
/ He has refused to receive a note
! asking his reasons, though handed
/ him by a prominent citizen OF this
I State. though | was then of duty, and he
! was informed that it was respectful in
/ character. Meantime private inquisition
under his orders goes on as II to strive to
/ base allegations of military misconduct
[ on private acts and manners. Failing in
/ this, when danger is at OFT door, | am
| ordered on distant service in a lower posi-
! ton than l have held during most Of the
/ war, and when l know that my services
| can be best rendered where they were
J first given, and at the point which long
! experience has rendered familiar TO me.
/ the same influences might pursue me to
/ the new field of duty to which l am or
/ dered. checking and thwarting my en-
| deavors, and with a paramount danger
I tire 5tening that State which first called
me into service, it becomes a serious
question whether my connection with the
/ Confederate provisional army can be of
/ more benefit to this cause than il has
! hitherto been to myself. In the new COM
mand ii is more than to be expected, Judg-
! ing from my past experience, that l shall
/ be without power TO render that service
J which the cause and the condition OF
! affairs demand. South Carolina now re-
/ quires the services of every man. To her l
/ gave mine before the COnfederacy existed,
I and when those who, on grounds Of
! expediency or timidity, waited to ascer-
/ tain the strength Of the revolution IN
which she Tisked all, l freely gave what
was in my power to assisther. am still
| willing and anxious TO serve as | COM
! menced, until those obligations which /
! first assumed are cancelled by other acts
/ than mine. For the reasons to which /
I have alluded, believing that no services
( which it can be possible 10 render can be
paramount to those now demanded here,
/ | would cheerfully resign at once the
normally high rank which l now EOld in
/ the Confederate army to take such service
/ as l can best render the State of South
: Carolina, knowing that in serving her 1
/ shall serve well the cause for which we