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Original Manuscript Confederate Military Orders fo

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Manuscript Document marked "Confidential" 4p. quarto, Head Quarters 2d & 3d Sub. Dist. S.C., Charleston, February 15, 1865, addressed to Colonel Anderson, Comdg. Post at Charleston, S.C., with original wrap, it reads "It has been determined to evacuate the city of Charleston. I. I desire you to make every preparation for the destruction, early Friday night, of your guns and gun carriages and such powder as may be left in your magazines as may be consistent with a safe retreat. To attempt to bust your guns or blow up your magazines would perhaps be a premature intimation of our intention to the enemy; therefore you will destroy, by sawing and cutting them to pieces; your guns by spiking and shotting them, and your powder by throwing it into the water. II. You will move out from your works in this city after moonrise on Friday night, and assemble your men at the Citadel Green calling in to that point your guards and patrols, when you will report to these Hd. Qrs the fact and then await orders. III. You will order the cavalry company to report to me at 12 oclock (midnight). IV. On the day of Friday you will cause all the small boats along the wharves to be destroyed, by staving them. V. You will cause the Ashley river bridge to be burned jsut before the time our troops leave town...VI. You will cause all yoru sick and such as are unfit to march to be sent off at once to Gouidin Station NE RRd....VII. When you move you will require your troops to march compactly, commanding officers of companies in rear of their companies, and permit no soldiers to break ranks for any purpose without permission of the commanding officer of his company. Direct the officers to enforce this if necessary by shooting the offender...." More on packing wagons and etc. VG. In 1865, Union troops moved into Charleston, and took control of many sites, such as the United States Arsenal, which the Confederate army had seized at the outbreak of the war. The War Department also confiscated the grounds and buildings of the Citadel Military Academy, which was used as a federal garrison for over 17 years, until its return to the state and reopening as a military college in 1882.

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