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656 Series I Volume XIV- Serial 20 - Secessionville

Page 656 COASTS OF S. C.,GA.,AND MID. AND EAST FLA. Chapter XXVI.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]


HEADQUARTERS JAMES ISLAND AND THE MAIN, Charleston, S. C., October 19, 1862.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,
Commanding First Military District of South Carolina:

GENERAL: In compliance with your request that I should report what additional forces are necessary to a proper defense of the city of Charleston from an attack by way of James Island and the main-land, I have the honor to submit the inclosed estimate, which I consider as absolutely essential.

In submitting this report I would respectfully call your attention to the want of heavy artillerists. We have several important batteries completed on the main-land that are without guns or artillerists. The guns might be supplied of the caliber 12 and 24 pounders, but we would have no artillerists to man them.

I submit a statement of the present effective force and of what additional forces are necessary against an attack by a force not exceeding 30,000 men.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. R. GIST,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure Numbers 3.]

Statement of forces required for a proper defense of Charleston by way of James Island and the main-land.

James Island:

Infantry ........................................ 6,000

Artillery ....................................... 1,500

Cavalry ......................................... 200

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7,700

City of Charleston:

Infantry ........................................ 2,500

Artillery ....................................... 250

Cavalry ......................................... 150

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2,900

Defense of the main movable column:

Infantry ........................................10,000

Artillery ....................................... 750

Cavalry ......................................... 500

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11,250

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21,850

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STATEMENT OF EFFECTIVE FORCES.

James Island:

Infantry ......................................... 1,680

Artillery ........................................ 1,085

Cavalry .......................................... 145

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2,910

City of Charleston and the main:

Infantry ......................................... 906

Artillery ........................................ 190

Cavalry .......................................... 183

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1,279

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Total .................................................. 4,189


Page 656 COASTS OF S. C.,GA.,AND MID. AND EAST FLA. Chapter XXVI.