April 10, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
We deem our City and State fortunate in the Generals now in command for our defence, whatever may have been the causes which cast their services amongst us. Our readers are fully aware of the labors and services of General BEAUREGARD preparatory to the reduction of Fort Sumter. They know how General RIPLEY worked in repairing the fort after its fall and in improving Fort Moultrie. Also his erection of Fort Ripley on the eligible site of Middle Ground Shoal. The new works constructed for the defence of Charleston since the return of General BEAUREGARD were, of course, ordered by him. They were planned by Major HARRIS and Captain ECHOLS, Chief Engineers respectively of the Department and State, and executed under their direction. The special arrangement of the guns in each work (especially in Sumter and Moultrie) was left to the experience of General RIPLEY as an artillerist, after consulting, however, with the General Commanding.