Record of
"The Charleston Zouave Cadets."
1st Regt. Rifle, 4th Brigade,
S.C. Militia
1860 - 1862.

Attest

   We the undersigned, Zouave members of the "Charleston Zouave Cadets" do here by certify that the record of the command, as herewith given , is in all particulars a complete one.

Charleston, S. C.
Nov. 4th, 1904S.E. Welch
 T. Dibble.

   In preparation of the brief, but honorable record of the company the undersigned herewith dedicates this to his former commander.

Anthony M. Riecke

"The Charleston Zouave Cadets"

Forward.

   The company known as the "Charleston Zouave Cadets", in years gone by was organized early in 1860, in time, as it were, to act its part in the exciting scenes that were so soon to be executed in and around the city of Charleston, was the youngest by date of formation and also as to the ages of the majority of the members of the military organizations of our city. The name of which they had chosen as part of its own and to which they had done credit in their brief existence, making their finest parade on the day that their state, South Carolina, had seceded from the Union. They had on the occasion offered their services to the governor, and in but a few days thereafter the call was made on them and promptly responded to, and the duty assigned them as promptly and faithfully done. The company was not called on to test its mettle on the battlefield, and/or what would have been the result, if so, is proven by the fact that of its once members, many later, in other organizations laid down their lives for their country and its cause on the battlefields of Virginia and nearer home.

   The compilation of this record of the corps has been the labor of love of one who filled his place in its ranks, in order to preserve for posterity this token of honorable service of his Zouave comrades of the command.

Anthony M. Riecke

Record

   On the 20th, December, 1860, but a few hours after the passage of the ordinance of Secession by South Carolina, there appeared on the streets of Charleston a company of youthful soldiers, but few of whom were more than mere lads in Zouave, yet whose military drill and movements won commendations from all who witnessed them. That company, the "Charleston Zouave Cadets," had then made their first parade, and had on the occasion, in view of the impending conflict, offered their services to the governor of the State at his headquarters on Meeting Street.

   The company had been formed early in that year for military and social purposes, with a moral tone to its discipline, establishing an armory, with gymnasium and reading room, for the benefit of its members.

   On the 1st day of January 1861, the company was called on to make good its offer to the State, orders being received by its members to assemble at their armory in the Queen Street area. Meeting at 12 o'clock noon, that day. As that hour sounded from St. Michael's the rat-tat-tat of the drum called the men, who had been busying themselves packing their knapsacks, to fall in. After the forming of the company and the calling of the roll Lieut. Chichester, who was in command in the absence of the Captain P.F. Stevens, explained the call, that they had been summoned for duty on Morris Island, and that he hoped that the men would do their duty faithfully, and, if need be, bravely.

   The command "Forward" was given, and the company took up the march for Southern Wharf, where they formed, on reaching it, the German Riflemen, Capt. Jacob Small, marching, en route for the same destination. Both commands boarded the Steamer "Gen. Clinch" amidst the cheers of the people on the wharf; the vessel being soon on the way, steaming across the harbor.

   Reaching Cumming's Point, Morris Island, the two commands were marched, through a steady rain, two miles along the beach to their destination, where they found the Citadel Cadets, under command of Capt. P.F.Stevens; these were, in the midst of the rain and mud , digging dirt and building a battery with Ma;. Clement H. Stevens, afterwards the protector of the main battery, directing the work.

   Being assigned to one of the houses in the vicinity of the battery as quartered, the men prepared to make themselves as comfortable as the situation would allow; but the two commands were soon ordered to break out to assist the cadets in getting some heavy 24 pounder guns out of the mud; with a pull altogether this was soon accomplished.

   The men once more turned in, but orders were soon received for details of ten men, at intervals of two hours each, for work on the battery during the night. With the combined labor of the three commands the battery was in the course of a few days complete, the guns mounted, and with the Citadel Cadets as gunners, and the other two commands as their support, they were ready for the purpose for which the battery had been built; to prevent the reinforcement of Fort Sumter. It's object was accomplished when, under the name of "Fort Morris," a few days later, it repulsed the "Star of the West" and fired the first shot of the war.

   Guard duty along the beach and at Cumming's Point opposite Fort Sumter, proved rather irksome duty to novices in the art of war, as they were, when every billow seemed a boat, which was the cause of many a midnight alarm, when the commanders called out and stood at the battery in the rain and cold, for several hours, on the lookout for the expected succor for Fort Sumter. Thus the days passed, a whole week without a ray of sunshine. One good thing they had, a plentiful supply for the commissary, in striking contrast to that of later years.

   On the 9th of January, 1861, not long after daybreak the long roll was beaten and brought the various commands hastily to the battery; in the offing a steamship was seen entering the harbor; her errand was suspected, so as soon as near enough, the report of a gun sounded across the water, "Show your colors," was its meaning, for the intruders knowing that the flag was not welcome there, had entered without showing her nationality, but that demand was imperative and was soon followed by another shot, when the Stars and Stripes were soon raised to her masthead, this proved as a red flag to mad bull, for the shots soon began to ricochet in close proximity to her. Fort Moultrie joining in the chorus that greeted the vessel, though her shots falling short of their mark. The intruder wisely concluding that "discretion is the better part of valor," hastily turned and made her way out again without accomplishing the object of her visit Those not specially engaged at the guns of the battery had divided their attention between the "Star of the West", and Fort Sumter, and noticing the opening of several portholes nearest the battery, expected soon to see the shot and shell flying over their heads, if not in close proximity, but the Fort remained, otherwise, a passive spectator of the attack on her flag.

   On the 15th January the company was relieved by the Carolina Light Infantry and returned to the city; several calls being made on the command, while in the city for night-guard duty on a steamer, between Fort Sumter and the bar, to prevent any attempt at reinforcement of the fort during the darkness of night, the steamer remaining out until daybreak.

   On the 26th of February the Zouave Cadets were called upon, as part of the 1st Regiment Rifle, S.C. Militia, to assemble at Military Hall for duty with the regiment. When the regiment had been formed the march was made for Chisolm's Wharf, at the foot of Tredd Street, where it boarded a steamer which soon made its way across the river to James Island; landing at Dill's Bluff the regiment was soon again on the way, its destination being Secessionville. On arriving there the different companies were assigned, one each to various houses in the village. As this place the only breaks in the monotony were the drills, company and regimental, and the guard mounting(?) and guard duty. It was then a matter of wonderment to the men of the various commands why a whole regiment, consisting of eight or more companies had been placed at such an out of the way place safe from all harm, as Secessionville was at that time considered to be; the future told another tale and gave a sad sequel to that peaceful picture. On the 5th of March the Steamer "Excel " carried the regiment to Sullivan's Island. The Zouave Cadets as guards for some stores that could not be carried on that trip, were left behind for the time being. On the 8th a large flatboat, or properly a piledriver,(the State and later the Confederacy had no choice in its vessels of war or transportation and consequently had to make use of anything in that line at hand) came up and carried the company and the stores over to the regiment, then quartered in the different houses at Moltrieville, with the regiment headquarters at the Moultrie House, a large hotel. There the regular routine of drill and guard duty was resumed within a few days before the bombardment of Fort Sumter, when the regiment was ordered to the Myrtles, at the other end of the Island where they were encamped in tents. The object of this move being to prevent a landing of troops from the enemy's vessels there for the purpose of flanking the battery lower down. During the nights of the 12th and 13th, April, while the bombardment was going on, the men of the different troops were ordered to sleep "on arms," that is fully dressed, with belt with filled cartridge box, buckled around the waist and the gun at hand; but they had their pains only for the trouble, as no movement was made, all outside remaining silent spectators of the scenes taking place in the harbor.

   During the bombardment, orders had been issued for the same reason, that the men remain in camp during the day, but roll-calls made at intervals, showed many absentees; curiosity to see what was going on at the batteries overcoming all fear of extra duty, the fact, for that and the next few days after the bombardment, curiosity was the overpowering characteristic of the men of the regiment, curios to see the effect of shot and shell, this cost many of them some midnight watches on lonely posts.

   On the l9th, April, the regiment was relieved by Col. Jenkins' regiment, and returned to the city, leaving the company behind again with stores till the next day when the "Pieris", the Island boat of that time, brought both the company and the stores over to the city. As the steamer was leaving the wharf at the Island, with the company aboard. A small boat was seen to leave the wharf at the same time, in which sat a Confederate officer in full uniform with a red military cap, a somewhat small and wiry figure, but with a military bearing about him that would betray high rank; knowing ones to others told that the officer there was none less than the commanding General Beauregard, upon the company giving him "three cheers and a tiger," General Beauregard returned the compliment by rising in the boat and saluted by touching his cap.

   During its stay in the city, until called on later again, the company made use of the interval by stated drills on the Citadel Square, where its evolutions, that of the skirmish drill with bayonet exercise, of the French Zouaves, proved quite an attraction to the public and was not missed by many.

   On the 12th, September, our stay in the city was brought to a close by orders to take charge of some Federal prisoners that had been captured at Manassas and were to arrive by railroad from Virginia, the regiment being ordered out also to escort the company with the prisoners to their destination. After waiting at the depot all night for the train to arrive it marched there early next morning and the company prepared to receive its unwilling guests. Forming a hollow square as enclosure for the prisoners, with the regiment divided in from and rear, the company carrying loaded guns.

   At the first sight of the prisoners one hundred and fifty in number, a feeling of fear overcame many of the men for a while, for many of those given in their charge were of the New York (fire) Zouaves, made up largely of New York City's rough element, who were to be managed by fifty "boys," almost in comparison. But this soon passed away, and every thing being satisfactorily arranged, the line of march was taken up for Charleston jail, where the prisoners were placed, with the company on duty as guard, where they remained till September 20th, when they were taken over to Castle Pinckney and quartered in the casements of the same. The officers occupying several rooms in the quarters; at the stated house, the prisoners were allowed the freedom of the inner parade. the officers, among whom were Gen. Stone, Col. Corcoran and some other well known ones whose names cannot be recalled, being granted the liberty of the same from sunrise to sunset. The prisoners in general, proved more tractable than was expected under the circumstances and gave no trouble, though the members of the company were ordered to strict vigilance and were never allowed outside their quarters without their sidearms. The treatment of those whom the fortunes of war had placed in the hands of their opponents, was strict but not severe and the same was appreciated by them, many of them assuring their guards that if ever the conditions were reversed they would not forget the fact; the prisoners received regular soldiers rations, the same as their custodians got, and had no cause, outside of their want of liberty, to complain, nor did they.

   During the later part of October orders were received to remove the prisoners to the city, to be sent on to Virginia for exchange. When the role was called before boarding the steamer at the wharf of the castle it was noticed that one of them had failed to answer to his name when called. Search was immediately made throughout the castle and over the island on which it was located, but he was nowhere to be found. As the missing man had been apparently sick and weak, and had been therefore allowed to make certain visits outside the castle alone while others were accompanied by guards, it was supposed that he had met with an accident and had been drowned, and thought of ever seeing anything of him again was given up. About a week later, some of the soldiers on Sullivan's Island arrested a suspicious character there, who on investigation proved to be the missing prisoner, he said that he had feigned sickness and that his frequent visits were to plan and arrange for his escape, which he managed by taking a gun cover, (a light wooden frame used to cover the guns in peace time), with two boards from another for paddles, he had hid himself during the embarkation and after nightfall entrusted himself on his frail craft to the water, hoping that the current of the outgoing tide would carry him outside to the blockading fleet, instead of that it had landed him on Sullivan's Island, with above result.

   The company, having reached the city with the prisoners, who were again taken to the jail with their appointed guard that were to take them on to their destination. Should arrive for them-a Sergeant and squad of the company were left in charge of them until then and the company returned to the Castle to act as garrison for the same. Alterations having been made at the fort for the accommodation of the prisoners these were now to be redone and everything restored for its original purpose, guards mounted etc. Capt. Charles A. Leanlan, of the engineers, was ordered to direct the work, and the Emerald Light-Infantry, another company of the regiment, was sent over to assist in the same; after considerable trouble and hard work the object was accomplished and the Castle was in a condition to take part in any demonstration in the harbor. The Emeralds were then removed and the Zouave Cadets entered on their duties as garrison with Capt.C.E. Chichester in command of the post.

   The men soon accustomed themselves to their new duties at the guns and in garrison, daily drills at the heavy guns were the routine, but the regular rounds of guard duty on the parapet and at the Sally-port and wharf tended to keep the men familiar with their original arm of service, the rifle, thus time passed quietly and serenely.

   Among the distinguished visitors to the post, for inspection, were Gen. R. E. Lee, on assuming command of the department, and Gen. R.L. Ripley, when the latter succeeded the former on his appointment to Virginia. At the inspection by Gen. Ripley the men were sufficiently advanced in their handling of the guns to show some firing at targets placed at a distance in the harbor, with hot shot. Gen. Ripley complimenting the officers and men for their skill at the guns.

   A sad event of their garrison life was the great fire in the city on the 12th, December, 1861. Causing considerable gloom and anxiety among the men as all had homes there at the source of the flames yet none could get there, though in the near vicinity and in full view of the conflagration.

   Another event that aroused some excitement and anxiety for a time but had a very happy denouncement, was the appearance one morning early, of a large steamship coming directly into the harbor, the long roll was hastily beaten around, at the call the men hastened, with no little excitement, to their posts at the guns, which were soon loaded, and they waited the approach of the, as it was thought, daring intruders, the vessel meanwhile coming nearer and nearer. When opposite the Fort Sumter she fired a gun above its smoke, there rose to her masthead the Stars and Bars, this dispelled the anxiety and caused instead great enthusiasm, each fort and battery answering her salute in rhythm, while the men at the various posts in the harbor seemed wild with cheering. This unexpected, and yet most welcome, visitor proved to be the old familiar Charleston vessel, the "Isabel ", that had just run the blockade with a large cargo for the Confederacy.

   Among the events, of more or less important character, witnessed from the walls of the Castle, and making an impression upon the men according to their gravity, was the sinking of the Stone fleet at the entrance to the harbor by the enemy, and the almost mighty illumination of the horizon by the burning of cotton and other products by our own people, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, the latter, particularly, had a saddening effect.

   Spite of these interruptions to the dullness of garrison life some of the men became leery of the monotony of their duties and longed for more active in the field, a number of them, to accomplish their objective formed themselves into a nucleus for an infantry company for services in Virginia, which, as the "Zouave Volunteer Co. H". of the Hampton Legion, did effective service there; many of the former members of the Zouave Cadets dedicated(?) their devotion to their State and the Confederacy with their life blood on the battlefields around Richmond, and elsewhere in Virginia. During the latter part of January, 1862, orders were extended to the various militia companies that such should enter the regular Confederate service, all not mustering a sufficient number to do so, if he disbanded. The question having been brought before the members of the Zouave Cadets, a number of these wanting to change their branch of service, there remained not a sufficient number to volunteer for the Confederate army, so the company was relieved at the Castle by a company of regulars, returned to the city and dissolved of itself, the majority of its former members immediately connecting themselves with other organizations for the regular service. Several of the officers and a number of men of the old company united as a nucleus and organized the "Gist Guard," an artillery, under the command of Capt. C.E. Chichester, which did effective service at Battery Wagner and around the harbor to the end of the war, and surrendering with Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's army at Greensboro, N. C. on the 26th, April, 1865.

Anthony M. Riecke

ex C.S.A.

Charleston, S. C.
Nov. 5th, 1904

Rolls of the
"Charleston Zouave Cadets"
1st Regt. Rifles, 4th Brigade,
L. C. Militia.
1861 - 1862.

Role of the
Charleston Zouave Cadets,
on duty at Morris Island.
January 1st to 15th, 1861

P. F. Stevens,Captain
Charles E. Chichester,1st Lieut. in command
Robert C. Gilchrist,2nd Lieut.
E. John White,3rd Lieut.
Robert Thornston,1st Sergeant
Benjamin M. Walpole,2nd Sergeant
Wm. W. Welch,3rd Sergeant
S. Elliot Welch,4th Sergeant
George Brown,1st CorporalKilled in Virginia in Co. "H", Hampton Legion
George B. Gellings,2nd CorporalKilled in Virginia in Co. "H", Hampton Legion
Wilson G. Harvey,3rd Corporal
James Quintin,4th Corporal
Ellis C. Green,Commissary Sergeant
Fred G. Baker,Privates
A.Dwight Billings,
Joseph F. Burke,
L. Chatburn Brown,
Stewart J. J. Breese, Killed in Virginia in Co. "A", 25th Regiment, S.C.V.
Cornelius Carmody,
Thos. J. Adams,(?)
George W. Force,
Oliver J. Oregony,
Thos. J. Adams,
Frank C. Hepp,
Robert A. Horton
Frank E. Hurst,
Thomas Hancock,
Edward Horton,
William E. Jennings,
Thomas Keegan,
Theodore P. Soyer
William T. Millar,
Frank M. Mackey,
John L. McKay,
William Q. McGuire,
Edmond T. McCarthy,
Thomas McCarthy,
J. Henry Ostendorff,
William M. Pemberton,
Alexander E. Permal,
William Quintin,
George A. Ramspeck,
Anthony M. Riecke,( author )
John Smyth,
John Skerritt,
Charles B. Tonley,
Henry F. Whitney,
Thomas Wiley,

Roll of the
Charleston Zouave Cadets,
on duty at Castle Pinckney,
September 20th, 1861 to Feb. 5th, 1862,

Charles E. Chichester, Captain
Robert C. Gilchrist, 1st Lieutenant,
E. John White, 2nd Lieutenant
Benjamin M. Walpole3rd Lieutenant
William A. Welch, Orderly Sergeant
Wilson Q. Harvey, 2nd Sergeant
Samuel A. White, 3rd Sergeant
Henry F. Whitney 4th Sergeant
Arnice F. Witte, 1st Corporal
William Quintin, 2nd Corporal
George A. Ramspeck, 3rd Corporal
James J. Grace, 4th Corporal
Donald J. Auld,
Fred G. Baker,
A. Dwight Billings,
Joseph F. Burke,
S. Chatburn Brown,
Edward W. Blake,
Eugene B. Belle,
Phillip Buckheit,
William F. Bee,
Felix Claeins,
Edward A. Champlin,
A. Castles,
George R. Cox,
Virgil C. Dibble,
L. James Donnelly,
John C. Diefenbach,
John R. Eason,
John T. Forbes,
Felix Fischer,
Frank Fox,
F. Fosberry,
Joseph J. B. Frey,
Oliver F, Gregory,
M.M. Goldsmith, Killed, unknown
John D. Hahenieht
Frank C. Hepp,
William L. Hughes, Died in hospital, Columnbia, S.C.
Frank P. Hughes, Killed, in Virginia in Co "A" Hampton Legion.
John R. Hill,
William E. Jennings,
Adolph J. Jagen,
Thomas Keegan,
Theodore P. Loyen,
Thomas J. Lyons,
Charles La coste,
John M. Leathe,
Louis Lactenberger,
William Le Queux,
William Q. McQuine,
Patrick V. McBride,
Thomas Meagher,
John Miller,
David Mustand,
M. Moore,
John L. McKay,
William A. Nelson,
John O'Mara,
E. North Miller,
Patrick W. O'Farrell,
Charles M. Olsen,
J. Henry Ostendorff,
William W. Pemberton,
Alexander E. Pernal,
Michael Quinlivans,
Anthony M. Riecke,
George Riecke,
Thomas Ryan,
John F. Robertson,
George Shepherd,
John Skerritt,
John Smith,
Luden Sahlmann,
Louis Sheardon,
P. Smith,
Charles B. Torley,
William Todd, Killed, in Virginia in Co "A" Hampton Legion.
John Lanier, Killed, in Virginia in Co "A" Hampton Legion.
J.A. Thompqon,
Conrad A. Von Dohlen,
George R. Whitridge,
Edgar A. Welch,
John A. Willes,
William A. Wood,