Alfred Roman, The military operations of General Beauregard in the war between the states, 1861 to 1865

[175] which must be improved and made available to the utmost; and each district commander will be expected to provide himself with an ample number of tried and reliable guides.

The Commanding General desires particularly to impress upon you his inability to reinforce your command at present. It is an axiom of war that no work is sufficiently strong to resist a “determined attack unless properly garrisoned.” The defences of this city require a force of 18,500 infantry, and at least ten light batteries; in lieu of that force only 12,695 infantry (of which a portion are unreliable troops) and eight light batteries compose its present garrison.

If one portion of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad is worth guarding, the rest has the same claim. Hence, if 1000 men are sent to the Third District, nearly a like number should also be sent to the Second District, and thus, weakening the already too small force absolutely required for the defence of Charleston, invite an attack from the enemy before these troops from those districts could possibly be recalled.

The question then arises, whether it is better to risk the safety of Charleston or that of the country lying between it and Savannah? The Commanding General cannot hesitate in the selection.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff.

P. S.—November 28th, 1863.—Since the date of this circular Clingman's brigade, 1810 effectives, has been ordered back to North Carolina.

T. J.

To General Hagood, to whom a copy of the foregoing circular had not been forwarded, the following communication was subsequently sent:

Headquarters, Department S. C., Ga., and Fla., Charleston, S. C., Dec. 5th, 1863.

General,—I am instructed to say to you that, while the movements of the enemy appear to indicate an attempt to operate within the limits of the Second and Third Military Districts, rather than any effort to effect a lodgment within your district, nevertheless your troops should be held constantly on the alert and ready for any effort to surprise you.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff.

General Gillmore admits that ‘with the second bombardment of Sumter ended all aggressive operations for the season against the defences of Charleston.’¹ The truth is, that the taking of Battery Wagner, on the 7th of September, was the enemy's last step forward; and though, from such a result, high expectations