Civil War History - Secession and PoliticsWas it Slavery, or was it States Rights? Perhaps it was the election of Lincoln? What were the real reasons for Southern Secession and what were the political issues in this time of war? Find your answers here in the Secession and Politics Disussion.
You have told us that you believe the entire Military of South Carolina at the time of the attack on Ft. Sumter was some 3700 men. The evidence I have seems to indicate it was about 3 times that number. I have listed some of this below. Please explain why you disagree with the South Carolina and Confederate source material.
On December 17, 1860, the state of South Carolina authorized the establishment of ten regiments of Volunteers (long-term, 1 year enlistment). M. L. Bonham was appointed to command these troops. In March, 1861 the strength of this force is reported to Bonham on March 6, 1861 as 8,835 officers and men. From Confederate Military History: "These regiments were mustered for twelve months' service, were numbered respectively from 1 to 10, inclusive, and commanded by Cols. Johnson Hagood, J. B. Kershaw, J. H. Williams, J. B. E. Sloan, M. Jenkins, J. H. Rion, T. G. Bacon, E. B. Cash, J. D. Blanding, and A.M. Manigault."
On January 28, 1861 the state of South Carolina authorized the establishment of "... a battalion of artillery and a regiment of infantry, both to be formed and enlisted in the service of the State as regulars, and to form the basis of the regular army of South Carolina. The governor appointed, under the act, R. S. Ripley, lieutenant-colonel in command of the artillery battalion, and Richard Anderson, colonel of the infantry regiment. The artillery battalion was afterward increased to a regiment, and the regiment of infantry converted, practically, into a regiment of artillery. Both regiments served in the forts and batteries of the harbor throughout the war, with the greatest distinction, as will afterward appear. ..." [same source]
These were the South Carolina Regulars and Volunteers, separate organizations. Military age men who did not enlist in them were still in the Militia. Some Militia units were serving actively along the seacoasts and borders. The largest in active duty was the Fourth Brigade, South Carolina Militia in Charleston. It consisted of the following:
=========================
First regiment of rifles:
Col. J. J. Pettigrew Lieut.-Col. John L. Branch Maj. Ellison Capers Adj. Theodore G. Barker Quartermaster Allen Hanckel Commissary L. G. Young Surg. George Trescot Asst. Surg. Thomas L. Ozier, Jr.
Companies:
Washington Light Infantry Capt. C. H. Simonton
Moultrie Guards Capt. Barnwell W. Palmer
German Riflemen Capt. Jacob Small
Palmetto Riflemen Capt. Alex. Melchers
Meagher Guards Capt. Edward McCrady, Jr.
Carolina Light Infantry Capt. Gillard Pinckney
Zouave Cadets Capt. C. E. Chichester.
Seventeenth regiment:
Col. John Cunningham Lieut.-Col. William P. Shingler Maj. J. J. Lucas Adjt. F. A. Mitchel
Companies:
Charleston Riflemen Capt. Joseph Johnson, Jr.
Irish Volunteers Capt. Edward McGrath
Cadet Riflemen Capt. W. S. Elliott
Montgomery Guards Capt. James Conner
Union Light Infantry Capt. David Ramsay
German Fusiliers Capt. Samuel Lord, Jr.
Palmetto Guards Capt. Thomas W. Middleton
Sumter Guards Capt. Henry C. King
Emmet Volunteers Capt. P. Grace
Calhoun Guards Capt. John Fraser
First regiment of artillery:
Col. E. H. Locke Lieut.-Col. W. G. De Saussure Maj. John A. Wagener Adjt. James Simmons, Jr.
Light batteries:
Marion Artillery Capt. J. G. King
Washington Artillery Capt. George H. Walter
Lafayette Artillery Capt. J. J. Pope
German Artillery (A) Capt. C. Nohrden
German Artillery (B) Capt. H. Harms.
Cavalry:
Charleston Light Dragoons Capt. B. H. Rutledge
German Hussars Capt. Theodore Cordes
Rutledge Mounted Riflemen Capt. C. K. Huger
Volunteer corps in the fire department:
Vigilant Rifles Capt. S. V. Tupper
Phoenix Rifles Capt. Peter C. Gaillard
Aetna Rifles Capt. E. F. Sweegan
Marion Rifles Capt. C. B. Sigwald
===============
I have not been able to uncover any figures for the Navy here, although some vessels had been brought into service.
Please show how your low estimate equates to the actual forces.
All from Series One, Volume One, War of the Rebellion, Official Records &c-
~
The 8,835-
This is what you posted on another thread...
...but OOPS...-you left out a part-...
...how did you manage to do that?-
(part left out in red)
===== CHARLESTON, March 6, 1861.
President DAVIS, Montgomery:
MY DEAR SIR: I inclose you, according to promise, a statement showing the strength of the volunteer division of South Carolina. Some of the regiments are commanded by highly accomplished graduates of our military academies, and some by officers of the Palmetto Regiment. It is altogether a superb body of troops, and I think will give a good account of themselves by their acts.
Under the skillful conduct of General Beauregard the works here are likely to be put promptly in the best possible condition to prevent re-enforcements. The danger to be feared is that light-draught vessels, bargers, or boats in the night may be sent in through the two middle channels, known as the Overall and North Channels; but you doubtless get fuller information than I can give you on these points.
Mr. Miles has doubtless apprised you of my readiness to enter the service of the confederation in the capacity you indicated. I say to you, however, frankly, that I should like to see my brigadiers in the field with their commands, or so many as may be needed, and be there myself with my present rank. If raising General Beauregard's rank a grade does not embarrass you, I would cheerfully report to him. The exhibition of skill, promptness, and energy by General Beauregard is highly gratifying to the authorities here.
I am, very sincerely and truly, yours,
M. L. BONHAM.
[Inclosure.]
HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
March 6, 1861.
M. L. BONHAM,
Major-General, Commanding Volunteer Forces of S. C.:
GENERAL: The number of companies organized and received under the act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860, is one hundred and four--in the aggregate amounting to 8,835, rank and file, constituting ten regiments of ten companies each. The force is divided into four brigades, constituting one division.
Respectfully,
S. R. GIST,
Adjutant and Inspector General of South Carolina.
=====
also-
"Resolved, That this Convention approves of the action of the governor, in placing the forces for the military defense of Charleston under the command of General Beauregard, and that he be authorized to call into the field immediately such number of the volunteer regiments, raised under the act of assembly, as General Beauregard may require for the operations under his control; the whole force to be placed under the command of General Beauregard, or such other general officer as may be ordered to the same command by the authorities of the Confederate States of America."
South Carolina Convention, 8 April 1861
p.298
~
Recap:
6 March 1861- "...I should like to see my brigadiers in the field with their commands..." means they are not "in the field with their commands."
8 April 1861- "...call into the field..." means heretofore some had not been called "into the field."
~
Your statement-
"That is 8,835 officers and men actually under arms and serving the state."
Wrong.
As of March 6th 8,835 on paper.
~
Force at Charleston
"You are authorized by your appointment as brigadier-general, under the provisions of the third section of an act of the Congress to raise Provisional Forces for the Confederate States, to receive into the service of this Government such forces as may be tendered or may volunteer, not to exceed five thousand men, as you may require, or for whom you can make suitable provision. A copy of the act referred to has been this day transmitted to Governor Pickens."
Orders to Gen. Beauregard (placed in command of Confederate forces at Charleston), from Sec.of War Walker, 1 March 1861
p.260
~
"I have called out the balance of the five thousand men to which I have been limited by my instructions of the 1st ultimo"
Beauregard to Walker, 8 April 1861
p.290
~
"We now have three thousand seven hundred men at the different posts and batteries, and will have by to-morrow three thousand more, which I have called down."
Governor Pickens to Walker, 9 April 1861
bottom of p.292
But reports of the 9th and 11th of April of the principal Confederate force on Morris Island (the last report only hours before the firing on of Fort Sumter) show little difference in numbers-
April 9th- "...we have increased the forces on Morris Island to two thousand one hundred men..." (Pickens, top of p.292)
April 11th- "...2,000, exclusive of artillery...." (Whiting, p.302; artillery would number in the hundreds...not thousands)
...I would say very few of the 3,000 additional troops called out by Pickens ever made it to the dance.
~
If there is a significant number more than 3700...
If there is a significant number more than 3700......prove it.
I'm missing something. There are 8,835 men in various military organizations in South Carolina as of March 6, 1861:
GENERAL: The number of companies organized and received under the act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860, is one hundred and four--in the aggregate amounting to 8,835, rank and file, constituting ten regiments of ten companies each. The force is divided into four brigades, constituting one division.
It would seem that there's some significance to "organized and received." I'd read "organized" as meaning anything. However, "and received" starts to get very specific. That usually means gathered into state service. (If anyone knows where to find the "act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860," it might cast some light on the state of readiness the troops were to be in.)
But it would seem that there were, under the Governor's command, 8,835 men. They wouldn't all have been in Charleston. That 3,000 didn't make the opening curtain doesn't mean they didn't exist.
So are we discussing how many were in Charleston or how many were scattered around the state?
That Bonham wanted the brigadiers in the field with their troops simply means that the brigadiers not residing where their brigades were camped. The telling phrase in his request was that the commands were in the field. That is not, on March 6th, "on paper."
Quote:
"You are authorized by your appointment as brigadier-general, under the provisions of the third section of an act of the Congress to raise Provisional Forces for the Confederate States, to receive into the service of this Government such forces as may be tendered or may volunteer, not to exceed five thousand men, as you may require, or for whom you can make suitable provision. A copy of the act referred to has been this day transmitted to Governor Pickens."
This is simply Beauregard's authorization to raise CSA troops. This recruitment would be over and above the state troops, and appears to have nothing to do with the 8,835 state troops scattered about.
Other than my confusion about who is debating what, this is turning into an interesting thread.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
[quote=Battalion]All from Series One, Volume One, War of the Rebellion, Official Records &c- ~ The 8,835-
This is what you posted on another thread...
...but OOPS...-you left out a part-...
...how did you manage to do that?-
(part left out in red)
===== CHARLESTON, March 6, 1861.
President DAVIS, Montgomery:
MY DEAR SIR: I inclose you, according to promise, a statement showing the strength of the volunteer division of South Carolina. Some of the regiments are commanded by highly accomplished graduates of our military academies, and some by officers of the Palmetto Regiment. It is altogether a superb body of troops, and I think will give a good account of themselves by their acts.
Under the skillful conduct of General Beauregard the works here are likely to be put promptly in the best possible condition to prevent re-enforcements. The danger to be feared is that light-draught vessels, bargers, or boats in the night may be sent in through the two middle channels, known as the Overall and North Channels; but you doubtless get fuller information than I can give you on these points.
Mr. Miles has doubtless apprised you of my readiness to enter the service of the confederation in the capacity you indicated. I say to you, however, frankly, that I should like to see my brigadiers in the field with their commands, or so many as may be needed, and be there myself with my present rank. If raising General Beauregard's rank a grade does not embarrass you, I would cheerfully report to him. The exhibition of skill, promptness, and energy by General Beauregard is highly gratifying to the authorities here.
I am, very sincerely and truly, yours,
M. L. BONHAM.
[Inclosure.]
HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
March 6, 1861.
M. L. BONHAM,
Major-General, Commanding Volunteer Forces of S. C.:
GENERAL: The number of companies organized and received under the act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860, is one hundred and four--in the aggregate amounting to 8,835, rank and file, constituting ten regiments of ten companies each. The force is divided into four brigades, constituting one division.
Respectfully,
S. R. GIST,
Adjutant and Inspector General of South Carolina.
=====
And your point is?
Yes, that is the cover letter that Bonham sent with Gist's report. What you are being told by these men is that 8,835 men have enlisted for the 12-month period as part of the Volunteers Bonham is responsible for since the SC legislature passed the law on December 17, 1860, and they have been organized into 104 companies split into 10 regiments, arranged in four brigades under the single division that Bonham commands.
Three of these regiments were in the defenses commanded by Whiting. The others were scattered about the state in various places, many of them still near their homes as individual companies. Three were ordered to Columbia on April 8 (these are the probably the three Pickens is expecting in Charleston shortly afterwards) to fullfill the call of the Confederate government made before the attack on Fort Sumter.
Bonham's comments about wanting his brigadiers "in the field" with his troops is more an example of personal interest and military protocol/politics than anything else. The brigadier would not go "into the field" with his troops until there were enough troops concentrated in one place for him to command -- otherwise the regimental colonel would handle it, or a company commander if the force was smaller and that was appropriate.
As it happens, this also affects Bonham. In order to go "into the field" himself, he needs to have a force of at least two brigades concentrated so that he can act as division commander. Since you obviously have access to the OR, look a little further. You'll find Bonham "volunteering" to go "into the field" on Morris Island, and Beauregard replying that they can't do that until they have a 2nd brigade there (one of the SC brigadiers is already there, and Beauregard anticipates organizing a 2nd brigade there as soon as some additional reinforcements arrive on the island, when he will activate the 2nd brigadier). When he has two brigades with 2 brigades there, he wants Bonham activated as a division commander over both brigades.
But you are arguing in circles here. The 5000 men Beauregard is authorized to accept into Confederate service appear to have been the three regiments concentrating in Columbia and probably 2 regiments/2000 men already on Morris island. In short, these are troops from the SC Volunteers that already exist. You already know that there were 2100 SC troops on Morris island from 3 of the Volunteer regiments, with another 10 companies (800-1000 men) arriving before the assault. It is unclear to me whether those 10 companies represent a single regiment or parts of several regiments. But as a result of this, you must admit that you already know where a minimum of 6 SC Volunteer regiments with about 6000 or more infantry are when the assault on Ft. Sumter begins -- yet you claim to know of only 3700.
In addition, you already know and have acknowledged that there are artillerymen not counted in the Volunteer force. These would either be Militia or else the Regulars authorized by the SC legislature on January 28. You say they would number in the hundreds. Add that to the 6000+ Volunteers you already acknowledged and now you are approaching 7000. This does not count any infantry in the Regulars authorized on January 28, because I have not been able to track down any information on them -- yet you claim to know of only 3700.
In addition to this, you have the forces of the SC Militia serving actively at the time. In Charleston, this was the 4th Militia Brigade, consisting of 2 infantry regiments, cavalry, and artillery companies. They seem understrength, so they probably total another 1500 or so. Then there are other Militia units actively serving (such as those occupying various positions along the coast).
Now you are approaching 9000 men under arms before the attack on Ft. Sumter. This still leaves unresolved how many men are in the Regular infantry (probably few) and the 3 or 4 Volunteer regiments that have not been pinned down yet. But somehow you seem to want to continue to claim that there were only 3700. Please resolve the obvious failure of your numbers to add up to what you say.
It would seem that there's some significance to "organized and received." I'd read "organized" as meaning anything. However, "and received" starts to get very specific. That usually means gathered into state service. (If anyone knows where to find the "act of general assembly of 17th December, 1860," it might cast some light on the state of readiness the troops were to be in.)
"Organized" in this sense implies that a paper structure and probably a small cadre of original appointments had been authorized and set up to accept the body of troops. "Received" would mean they actually had found 8,835 men to sign the enlistment papers for a period of 1 year, presented that to the state authorities, and been accepted as troops. Given the procedures at the time, this would be very important, because the colonel had authorization to raise the force and needed to actually come up with the men to remain a colonel in most cases. In short, this force existed, but their location and the standards of equipment and training are unknown to us. We do know, however, that some 2100 of them (in three regiments) are serving in the defenses Whiting commands on and around Morris Island, with another 3 regiments are gathering in Columbia on April 9 to be accepted into Confederate service -- plus another 10 companies/1000 men (regiments unknown) arriving in Charleston at the same time. That seems to be about 6000 of the 8835 located a few days before the attack on Ft. Sumter, with 3 or 4 regiments not yet found.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ole
But it would seem that there were, under the Governor's command, 8,835 men. They wouldn't all have been in Charleston. That 3,000 didn't make the opening curtain doesn't mean they didn't exist.
The Confederate government had made a call on the states for troops in early March, and another in early April before they attacked Ft. Sumter. The three SC Volunteer regiments concentrating in Columbia were ordered there to be placed in Confederate service, and it is my guess that these are the three regiments Pickens is hoping to get moved to Charleston quickly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ole
So are we discussing how many were in Charleston or how many were scattered around the state?
None of this counts the SC Regular Artillery authorized January 28, mainly manning the guns around the harbor. It also does not count the SC 4th Brigade of Militia in Charleston, nor other Militia manning positions along the coast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ole
That Bonham wanted the brigadiers in the field with their troops simply means that the brigadiers not residing where their brigades were camped. The telling phrase in his request was that the commands were in the field. That is not, on March 6th, "on paper."
One thing to notice here is that the letter is to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. Bonham and his brigadiers have SC commissions. They have no authority or rank in the Confederate Army unless they are granted it by the Confederate government. Bonham is playing the political game here, looking for appointments for himself and his officers. That is why he is suggesting giving Beauregard a promotion -- so that he, Bonham, can be accepted as a Major General under Beauregard. (He ended up taking a brigade command.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ole
This is simply Beauregard's authorization to raise CSA troops. This recruitment would be over and above the state troops, and appears to have nothing to do with the 8,835 state troops scattered about.
The connection is that the SC quota for the Confederacy will be supplied out of this existing body of 8,835 men.
Descriptions of some of the troops you have been claiming were armed, equipped, and in service several months:
"...318 helpless infantry recruits, almost without arms, without clothing, and totally and entirely unfit to meet the enemy..." O.R., Series 1, Vol. 1, p.264
"...The regimental organization (mixed up of infantry and riflemen, without bayonets) cannot be preserved. Colonel Gregg has 1,100 men; Colonel Cunningham, 418; Colonel Kershaw, between 300 and 500-in all, 2,000, exclusive of artillery....
Kershaw's force is "helter-skelters," having just arrived. Cunningham's is but little better. Both are badly supplied with cartridges...." p.302
~~~
Three regiments ordered into the field ~11 April 1861-
HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, April 11, 1861.
General BEUAREGARD:
DEAR GENERAL: I inclose the within that you may see what General Bonham offers. His command is confined to the volunteer regiments, ordered into service under a bill to raise ten thousand volunteers in reserve. Three of his regiments are ordered here now. One difficulty I apprehend in his command is that General Dunovant will object, perhaps, to his command over him; but this is nothing, if you desire Bonham to command the whole as major-general. Yet, under the resolutions of the Convention, reporting to you for orders as command of all, confirmed by myself, I will order him to report to you, with all his staff, and make a special order for him. Perhaps he might be of great service in bringing all into one command for you, and I know he would fight like ear true soldier. Besides, he has knowledge, derived from actual service in Mexico, and stands high in the State. But, general, you must candidly say if it is suitable to you, for at this critical juncture I desire to do nothing but what is agreeable to you.
With great esteem, yours, truly,
F. W. PICKENS.
[Inclosure.]
CHARLESTON, S. C., April 11, 1861.
Governor PICKENS:
SIR: Three regiments of the division of the South Carolina Volunteers, of which you have been pleased to appoint me major-general, have been ordered into the field. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully, to ask the command of those troops, together with such as may be associated with them. Having learned that the Convention of the State has made General Beauregard commander of all the State troops which have been or are likely to be ordered into service in and about Charleston Harbor, I take pleasure in saying I will cheerfully report to that able and distinguished officer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M . L. BONHAM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Division of South Carolina.
"...The regimental organization (mixed up of infantry and riflemen, without bayonets) cannot be preserved. Colonel Gregg has 1,100 men; Colonel Cunningham, 418; Colonel Kershaw, between 300 and 500-in all, 2,000, exclusive of artillery....
Nice to see you have done your normal level of research. Those rifles were M1841's aka Palmetto or Mississippi rifles... not originally intended to use a bayonet. As fine as anything in the world. THey would have played merry hell w/ any force they oppopsed as they were men that knew how to shoot. The units that composed that Regiment would later become the 1st SC Rifles. Look at their history; you might learn something about fighting men.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Descriptions of some of the troops you have been claiming were armed, equipped, and in service several months:
"...318 helpless infantry recruits, almost without arms, without clothing, and totally and entirely unfit to meet the enemy..." O.R., Series 1, Vol. 1, p.264
These men are not part of the 8,835 members of the Volunteers in Bonham's Division, authorized on December 17, 1860 and reported by Gist in early March. They are members of the Regulars authorized by the legislature on January 28, 1861. It is not particularly surprising that a brand-new organization, created from scratch in five weeks, would be in some state of disarray and not recruited to a complete strength yet. Ripley is simply reporting this to superiors, who have just asked him to do something he has no means to accomplish.
I am sure you know that, since you are quoting from a letter of Lt. Col. R. S. Ripley, who commanded these men as they formed up, and you omitted the part about the 290 artillerymen in the same sentence as well as the reason for the letter in the same paragraph. He is also writing from Ft. Moultrie, on the other side of the harbor from the Volunteers on Morris Island.
Why do you bother to try these little maneuvers? You will only damage your credibility by trying them so frequently.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Battalion
"...The regimental organization (mixed up of infantry and riflemen, without bayonets) cannot be preserved. Colonel Gregg has 1,100 men; Colonel Cunningham, 418; Colonel Kershaw, between 300 and 500-in all, 2,000, exclusive of artillery....
Kershaw's force is "helter-skelters," having just arrived. Cunningham's is but little better. Both are badly supplied with cartridges...." p.302
Look, Battalion, you really are shameless in the way you try to debate issues.
*YOU* called 5,000 Massachuseets Militia who *might* have been called to service a "standing army". Why? Because the state notified the War Department that they could call them up if needed and did have 5000 arms in the arsenal to issue to them. Those men are at home, working in their regular jobs, when the letter was written, as you well know. Your claim is dismissable.
Now you are trying to make believe several thousand South Carolina troops called up and in active service, besieging Ft. Sumter and manning the fortifications of the harbor, somehow do not count.
As someone else pointed out, the state of South Carolina had seized the US Arsenal in Charleston in December. If they cannot get arms and ammo and accoutrements to their own troops a few miles away from the Arsenal, there is something very inept about their administration. That doesn't mean the troops do not exist or somehow don't count.
Three regiments ordered into the field ~11 April 1861-
HEADQUARTERS, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, April 11, 1861.
General BEUAREGARD:
DEAR GENERAL: I inclose the within that you may see what General Bonham offers. His command is confined to the volunteer regiments, ordered into service under a bill to raise ten thousand volunteers in reserve. Three of his regiments are ordered here now. One difficulty I apprehend in his command is that General Dunovant will object, perhaps, to his command over him; but this is nothing, if you desire Bonham to command the whole as major-general. Yet, under the resolutions of the Convention, reporting to you for orders as command of all, confirmed by myself, I will order him to report to you, with all his staff, and make a special order for him. Perhaps he might be of great service in bringing all into one command for you, and I know he would fight like ear true soldier. Besides, he has knowledge, derived from actual service in Mexico, and stands high in the State. But, general, you must candidly say if it is suitable to you, for at this critical juncture I desire to do nothing but what is agreeable to you.
With great esteem, yours, truly,
F. W. PICKENS.
[Inclosure.]
CHARLESTON, S. C., April 11, 1861.
Governor PICKENS:
SIR: Three regiments of the division of the South Carolina Volunteers, of which you have been pleased to appoint me major-general, have been ordered into the field. I have the honor, therefore, respectfully, to ask the command of those troops, together with such as may be associated with them. Having learned that the Convention of the State has made General Beauregard commander of all the State troops which have been or are likely to be ordered into service in and about Charleston Harbor, I take pleasure in saying I will cheerfully report to that able and distinguished officer.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M . L. BONHAM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Division of South Carolina.
O.R., Series 1, Vol. 1, p.303-304
And your point is?
These three regiments of the SC Volunteers were being ordered to concentrate at Columbia on April 8, in response to the call of the Confederate government for additional men (note that neither Lincoln nor Buchanan had issued any call for men at that point, but the Confederates had issued two calls totalling over 30,000 men and not including the SC forces at Charleston which Sec of War Walker estimated at 5,000 men). These three regiments will be part of the SC quota to Confederate service.
There are three other regiments on duty on Morris Island. That makes at least six of the ten regiments you know the location of at the time of the attack on Ft. Sumter. Depending on what makes up the 10 companies arriving at Charleston/Morris Island on the 8th, you might have 7.
What you are looking at here is Pickens and Bonham maneuvering for a high-rank appointment for Bonham. Bonham has been offered a brigade command slot. He wants to be a division commander in the Confederate service (i.e., he wants to remain a Major General as he is in SC service when he gets his Confederate rank instead of dropping to Brigadier General). That is what all this bit is about. Note that Bonham eventually did go into Confederate service as a Brigadier, having lost out in the maneuvering.
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