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and energetic young officer, whose former profession had been that of civil engineer. The construction of the boom above alluded to was already under the superintendence of Doctor J. R. Cheves. General Beauregard soon found that he would have to be his own chief-engineer, as the officers of that branch of the service he then had under him, although intelligent and prompt in the discharge of their duties, did not possess sufficient experience. He hastened, therefore, to apply for Captain D. B. Harris, who had been so useful to him in the construction of the works at Centreville, Va., and on the Mississippi River, from Island No.10 to Vicksburg, and who, he was sure, would greatly relieve him of the close supervision required for the new works to be erected, and the many essential alterations to be made in the old ones. His chiefs of artillery and of ordnance were also wanting in experience, but they soon came up to the requirements of their responsible positions, and eventually p
t of his visit to Savannah, on the 30th of October returned to Charleston, where he found Captain D. B. Harris waiting for him. His pleasure and relief were great indeed, for he knew that this trustedccupied General Beauregard's mind for some time. On the 2d of December he issued an order to Major Harris, Chief-engineer, to cut a channel, twenty-five feet wide and thirteen feet deep at high wateouth of the Stono, which would enable us to reduce the force on James Island to a minimum. Major Harris's instructions were to do the work as quietly as possible, in order not to awaken the suspici his duties, in the face of so many difficulties. 19. An important order was also given to Major Harris in relation to General Raines's submarine batteries. The Engineers' Department was told to lnd in the South Edisto, opposite Aiken's Mills; or at some proper place in the Pon Pon River. Major Harris was also instructed to construct a magazine at Summerville for the safe-keeping of ordnance s
ordered to report to you at once, to confer with you, so as to carry out the views expressed by me in this letter. Major Harris, Chief-Engineer, has received my instructions relative to locating some of Rain's torpedoes' about Cummings's Point aning one of them—and was kept up for more than seven hours, but without damaging our battery, which, upon inspection by Major Harris, after the engagement, was found in good condition in every respect. See also, in Appendix, Major Harris's report. Major Harris's report. Alluding to this affair, General Beauregard, from Charleston, March 4th, 1863, forwarded the following telegram to General Cooper: Fort McAllister has again repulsed enemy's attack. Ironclads retired at 8 P. M. yesterday; mortar-boats shelled unntly to guard the New Bridge across the Ashley against accidental or intentional destruction by fire. On the same day Major Harris was directed to complete at once the obstructions on the Wappoo Cut; to visit Battery Wall, at White Point, and determ
tal520 Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff. This was the real cause—there existed no other—of Admiral Dupont's failure to carry out his programme against Fort Sumter and the other defensive works in Charleston Harbor. The torpedoes and the rope obstructions, so much spoken of, had nothing whatever to do with it; though we readily admit that the enemy's evident and just dread of torpedoes, as evinced in his preparations for their explosion by the Devil, or torpedo-searcher, Report of Major Harris, Chief-Engineer. See Appendix. was no insignificant factor in his unwillingness to engage the Confederate batteries at closer quarters. It only remains to be said, however, that, had all the ironclad vessels of Admiral Dupont's attacking fleet adopted the course followed by the Keokuk, and steered nearer to the walls of Sumter, in all probability they would have shared the ill fate of Commander Rhinds's double-turreted monitor. All would have been not merely crippled but destroyed.
the 9th. He also caused the following orders to be issued: 1. Headquarters, Department S. C., Ga., and Fla., Charleston, S. C., July 9th, 1863. Lieut.-Colonel D. B. Harris, Chief-Engineer, etc., etc.: Colonel,— The Commanding General directs me to call your attention to the urgent necessity for immediately obstructing tttery Wagner, and assist in checking the further progress of the enemy on Morris Island. To this end he gave specific instructions to General Ripley and to Colonel Harris, his Chief-Engineer, See Appendix. and again applied to Governor Bonham for slave-labor to carry out his plans. His letter on the subject read as follows:r the effectual discharge of the momentous duties intrusted to us. See Appendix. We close the present chapter with General Beauregard's instructions to Colonel Harris, dated July 20th, 1863: Colonel,—The Commanding General directs me to inform you that he wishes the rope obstructions to go on, and desires that they
gently on their batteries. In the evening large bodies of infantry were landed on the south end of Morris Island. Colonel Harris, Chief-Engineer, was directed to increase the batteries on James Island bearing on Morris Island by at least twenty gteamer with the prisoners on board proceeded to the fleet, and the exchange was effected, as previously agreed on. Colonel Harris, Chief-Engineer, having inspected Battery Wagner, reported no material damage to the work. The guns on the sea face necessity involve the loss of their garrisons. But before giving the final orders for the evacuation I directed Colonel D. B. Harris, my Chief-Engineer, to proceed to Morris Island and examine into and report on the condition of affairs. His opinnd, he was, nevertheless, active, zealous, and of assistance to me in holding the island to the last moment. To Colonel D. B. Harris, Chief-Engineer of the Department, I have to return my most sincere thanks; he was ever cool, gallant, and indefat
ust. additional report of Colonels Gilmer and Harris. General Beauregard resolves not to evacuate r, on the 24th of August, was forwarded to Colonel Harris: Colonel,—General Beauregard direch) that can be used with any advantage. Colonel Harris: Endorses Lieutenant Johnson's opinion. landing: Agrees with Captain Harleston. Colonel Harris: It can be done in present condition of fo combined vigorous attack—twelve hours. Colonel Harris: Cannot undertake to answer as regards timF. Gilmer, Col. and Chief-Engr. of Bureau. D. B. Harris, Lieut.-Col. and Chief-Engr. of Dept. Ithis post. Major-General Gilmer and Lieutenant-Colonel Harris visited the fort about half-past 11 be sent to Fort Moultrie; Colonels Butler and Harris to determine its position. The 11-inch gun Charleston, S. C., Sept. 25th, 1863. Lieut.-Col. D. B. Harris, Chief-Engineer, etc., etc.: Colona., Charleston, S. C., Oct. 29th, 1863. Colonel D. B. Harris, Chief-Engineer, etc.: Colonel,—The [6 more...
ort Johnson. The Commanding General, therefore, desires you, assisted by Colonel Harris, to make a proper examination to determine whether these rifle-pits should s, thence across to Givham's Ferry, on the Edisto, and the Four Hole Creek. Colonel Harris, Chief-Engineer, has been directed to throw up certain defensive works across in your favor, notwithstanding the disparity in numbers. I have ordered Colonel Harris to prepare positions on those works for the guns of the siege-train and th the river. This would insure the fall or evacuation of both places. Colonel D. B. Harris, Chief-Engineer of the Department, will remain with you for the present,charge of the torpedoes to be put in the St. John's River. He must consult Colonel Harris as to their location. Captain Bryan is also a very good signal officer; ca, heeded. With the exception of Brigadier-General Walker, Colonels Elliott and Harris, and Captain Johnson (the last two engineers), not one of my officers has been
r. This expedition General Beauregard had anticipated for several weeks, and he had instructed his Chief-Engineer, Colonel Harris, to reconnoitre, for the purpose of occupation and defence, the position at Bermuda Hundreds, which afterwards became the base of General Butler's operations. He had also instructed Colonel Harris to inspect closely old Fort Powhatan, a few miles below City Point, on the James, which he desired to strengthen and re-arm with heavy guns, besides blocking up the rivd the river, reaching his point of destination at three o'clock in the morning. Late as it was, he called in council Colonel Harris, his Chief-Engineer, and Colonel Stevens, the Engineer of that post and of Richmond. They explained to him the main ly General Butler's forces but also those under General Grant. His plan was instantly conceived and communicated to Colonels Harris and Stevens. He then despatched the latter to Richmond, to present his views to the President; or, if unable to see
thdrawal were driven off by Butler early on that morning. The battery at Howlett's house had just been completed and armed with a few heavy guns received from Richmond when General Beauregard determined to evacuate those lines. He ordered Colonel Harris, his Chief-Engineer, to dismount the guns and bury them, with their carriages and chassis, in the most favorable locality in the vicinity of the battery, and to carefully cover the spot with sod, leaves, and bushes, so as to conceal them fromrove back the Federals, capturing about 2000 prisoners. The conflict raged with great fury until after eleven at night. Foreseeing the inevitable rupture of his lines, General Beauregard had selected during the day, with his Chief-Engineer, Colonel Harris, a new and shorter defensive line along a ravine (Taylor's Creek) in the rear, which he caused to be clearly marked out with white stakes, so that it might be occupied at night without confusion, when the troops should be directed to retire u