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[353] engineers, and the same rank was given him in the Confederate States army. He was sent to inspect the works at Charleston harbor, and under Beauregard rendered valuable service, not only as engineer in fortifying Morris island, but as acting assistant adjutant and inspector general in stationing the troops on that island. Soon afterward he was appointed inspector-general in charge of the defenses of North Carolina, and after the coast defenses were safely in the hands of the State, he joined Gen. J. E. Johnston at Harper's Ferry as chief of staff. He was in charge of the blowing up of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, which Johnston pronounced a masterly piece of work, and made the arrangements for moving the army to reinforce Beauregard at Manassas Junction. His service at the glorious victory of July 21st was gratefully mentioned in the official report of General Johnston, and President Davis promoted him on the field to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers. He was assigned to the command of the brigade of the lamented General Bee, his classmate at West Point, with which and Hood's brigade he handsomely dislodged Franklin's Federal division during the retreat from Yorktown. At Seven Pines he was in command of G. W. Smith's division, and by vigorous fighting prevented the junction of Sumner with Keyes. It is related by Major Fairly of his staff that Whiting suggested to General Lee the stratagem of reinforcing Jackson in the valley, to keep back reinforcements for McClellan while Jackson should move rapidly and strike the Federal flank, and that Whiting volunteered to take his brigade and Hood's and move to Staunton. Thence he returned at the head of Jackson's corps, and in the battle of Gaines' Mill skillfully handled the two brigades under E. M. Law and Hood, driving the enemy from their fortified line, winning the battle. In November, 1862, he was assigned to the district of Cape
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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