Clouds commenced to gather on the political horizon of the country in 1860, but few anticipated a coming struggle of such gigantic proportions as history afterwards had to record. The 20th December South Carolina seceded the first step of another attempt to dismember the Union. About that time I had seriously contemplated to return to Europe or accept of a professional engagement in South America, but my feelings were so much interested in the issue of the approaching troubles that I determined to watch and wait. While in Baltimore I corresponded with friends in So. Ca. and was often advised to offer my services to that State as a Military Engineer. I finally determined to go South, and arrived in Charleston April 1st 1861. In the confusion and excitement, consequent upon preparations being made for offensive & defensive works in the harbour, I had but little opportunity to see any of the Civil or Military Officials, and, as I had yet some doubts of a coming war, I thought it unwise to precipitately offer my services in a military capacity. While thus watching coming events, I engaged in capacity of civil Engineer to execute topographical maps of the harbour of Charleston with defences already commenced and proposed.

Early on the morning of the 12th I was awakened by the first guns fired on Fort Sumter. I hastened immediately to the City battery and from a vessel outside, within reach of the guns of the Fort, I witnessed, only as a spectator, the bombardment which altho' bloodless in its issue, probably inaugurated the war. The 14th, after the contest was ended, I left the city with some friends, took a trip around the Fort in a small boat, and examined, with much interest, the effect of shot and shell on