Whiting, William H. (1824-1865) Memorandum of instructions for the troops tonight
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02600 Author/Creator: Whiting, William H. (1824-1865) Place Written: Morris Island, South Carolina Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 12 April 1861 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Orders detailing preparations for a possible Union attack on Morris Island. Written at night on the same day the assault on Fort Sumter had begun. Part of the Confederate force for the assault on Fort Sumter was located on Morris Island.
William Whiting served as an Adjutant and Inspector General in the Confederate Army during the assault on Fort Sumter, later rose to the rank of Major General.
Memorandum of instructions Hd Qr Morris island
for the troops to night Ap 12. 1861.
I. Greggs will advance & bivouac near the beach, Major Smiths supporting companies advancing to the west of the hills closing towards the Light house battery ( Huger's) & throwing out upon the beach strong force of sentinels -
II. Gregg's (Hamilton's) will rest the night near & about the (battery) from towards the beach extending well towards Cunningham's Right -
III. Cunningham's will advance towards the beach the rear bivouacking - strong lines of sentinels directly on the beach -
IV. Kershaws to remain in position -
V. Gists Company (Richland [inserted: & Union] Rifles) to reinforce [struck: Cavalry - h[an]d] Kershaw -
VI. Should the enemy attempt to land in boats, the sentinels will fire the companies nearest advancing at once & firing - The commands to the right & left closing to the point of attack - The rallying cry of the troops "Carolina"
VII. Detachments from the different companies will guard the beach in their front -
The German Hussians will be detailed as follows
12 to Col Gregg. 6 to Col Cunningham, 6 to [inserted: Col] Kershaw, The remainder at Head Qrs. to act in carrying orders [2] & intelligence.
VIII. The Sumter Guards will post themselves at Guns among the hills between his
batteries - Sentinels to be thrown out on the beach.
The left company of Kershaw to close on the Dahlgren Battery -
All artillerists to carry their muskets to the batteries - The greatest vigilance to be exercised relative to any attempt at landing in the batteries.
By Order of Genl Simons
Wm. H. C. Whiting
Adjt & Majr Genl -
William Henry Chase Whiting
C S A
[docket]
Instructions for
Night duty
of different Regts &c
on Morris Isld
April 12th ,, 1861
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.