The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-02

venuon had separated the State from
the United States. War seemed i'm
minent The Federal commandant.
MAJOR Anderson, had under cover OF
night evacuated Fort Moultrie and
occupied Fort Sumter, the seizure OF
the other fort was regarded as i'm
portant and on the 27th Of December
Col. Pettgrew received orders TO oc-
cupy Castle Pinckney with his COM
mand. while Fort Moultrie was oc-
cupied by the first artillery regiment
Of the State. Major Anderson Was in
the meanwhile busily engaged put
ting Fort Sumter in as complete a
state Of preparation as his means
permitted. 1t was the object OF the
hlted states government to rc-en-
force the slender garrison and to pro-
vision the fort for a Sege II WAS
equally the object OF the State 70
Illustrate any such movement and at
a council of war held in the executive
chamber il was resolved To fortify a
| portion of Morris Island commanding
| the main ship channel on that side
| OF the harbor while Fort Moultrie
guarded the entrance on the oppc-
site shore.
| Col. Pettigrew was assigned TO the
| command Of Morris Island and order
ed TO erect the necessary works and
arrange for the defence OF the island
The task assigned him was difficult
| me selection OF proper positions for
| batteries to command the channel
the designing and erecting proper
works, the training. discipling and
governing bodies of volunteer troops
unused to service, impatient OF its re-
straints, and ignorant of the first ru-
diments of camp life, REQUIRED not
only high Skill and energy but also
good temper, and especially that tact
. and address in governing men with
out which the highest skill would
have been useless
The ability which Col. Pettigrew
displayed in the discharge of these
onerous responsible duties secured for
him the high consideration OF the
executive authorities of the State and
thenCeforth there was hardly a coun-
: Gil OF war TO which he was not invit-
ed. On the arrival of General Beau
regard, Colonel Pettigrew was order
Il ed TO assume the command OF Sui
livan's Island. and was on duty at
. this point when the bombardment of
= | Fort Sumter took place. That fight
! as will be remembered, was purely
= one of artillery and there was no op-
portunity for the infantry arm of the
gallantry. It's duties were siml ly tc
:, service TO display its patriotism ol
cover the artillery and watch the
coast.
= Immediately after the fall of For
u Sumter preparations for war wer.
a vigorously made by both of the con
= tending parties. The troops which
q mad been embodied for the defens.
q of Charleston and who had been il
is the field for three months were witt
J. few exceptions only the militia or
h ganizatiOns Of the State. For tn
- prosecution Of the war beyond tn
l. limits Of the State special organiza
,e tons were needed The reputation
IF for military ability which Genera
n, Pettigrew- had acquired and the con
is fidence he had inspired in all VIII
is had served with or under him, point
D ed him out as an appropriate leade
m funder whom to organize The sam
l. qualities however. had already at
tracted the notice of the Legislator
in and the position Of AdjutantGenera
le of the State was rendered to him an
to his acceptance of it warmly urged un
lie der the belief that his administrative
it ability could accomplish more goo
n in organizing the forces Of the Stat
I'd than by restricting himself to tn
Of duties OF single regiment. The pc
re sition, however, was not acceptabl
ly | to him and he declined it, He pr.
u ferred the active duties OF the fiel
" and at the request of General Beaure
rd gard and with the approval Of til
to executive OF the State he proceede
lie to organize a rifle regiment for th
o. war, Of which he was to be colone
BY Companies far exceeding the numbt
I'd permitted were rapidly raised an
n rendered to him. His selections mad
of the field and staff officers agreed upo
he and Major Barker. the junior fel
tn officer, despatched to MontgOmer
as the then seat Of the Confederate go
he ernTnent to tender the regiment
n the Secretary of War, and receive Al
ng thority to muster it into service.
tn The views of the War Departmel
IL at that time were not to receive o
he ganized regiments but to receive on
n companies, reserving to itself the
q organization into regiments and II
as SetectlOn ana appointment Oh the ne
ELF officers This mode Of OrganiZatis