Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/137

 The Wee Nee Volunteers of Williamsburg District. 131

Wentworth street, in the room usually occupied by the officers of the Fourth brigade, South Carolina militia. There was a great deal of business before us. Our session was protracted till very nearly the close of my term of service, and would have lasted longer, but for the ability of the judge advocate and president. I was the junior officer on the court in rank and age, and, according to the law governing courts-martial, the duty of casting the first vote devolved on me. I learnt then that old men are not as charitable in their judgment, nor as lenient in punishment, as young ones. Captain Glover was next to me in age and rank. Our views of the evidence and punishment usually accorded. The older members of the court were more severe. Knowing how much our army afterwards suffered by reason of lax discipline, I am now inclined to think that the older members of the court were right. Major Manigault and the writer of this are the only members of that court who survived the war.

General Pemberton, soon after he took command, concluded to evacuate both Cole's Island and the defence at the entrance to Winyah Bay, below Georgetown. This latter move would open a large extent of very productive country to the enemy and endanger the whole of the northeastern portion of the State. Day by day we were losing territory, upon which our armies were dependent for provisions. These proposed movements caused great dissatisfaction among sol- diers and people. The Governor and Council protested, but in vain. The batteries on Cole's Island were ordered to be dismantled. After the guns were dismounted, this order was countermanded. But it was not long after the First regiment left it till that place was abandoned. The defences below Georgetown were abandoned earlier, and on the 3d of April the Tenth South Carolina volunteers, which had been in charge of these defences, reached Charleston and went into camp at Mount Pleasant, where they remained till they went West. Gen- eral W. J. Hardee was sent to expostulate with General Pem- berton, but it was of no use. That general could not be induced to rescind the orders which were working such dissatisfaction among the people and with the army, and which were familiarizing them with the idea of defeat. There was talk of sending Hardee to Rich- mond with the protest of the State authorities, but I never knew what was done about it. My convictions as to what should be done were very decided, but I did what I could to sustain the military authorities and prevent demoralization by unfavorable criticism, without refer- ence to my own opinions. The truth of history compels me to say now that it would have been better for our cause if General J. C. Pern-