September 19, 1863: Horace Hunley Wants Command of His Submarine in Charleston Harbor

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 1863:    Horace L. Hunley wrote General Beauregard, commanding Charleston, S.C., requesting that command of the submarine bearing his name be turned over to him.  "I propose," Hunley said, "if you will place the boat in my hands to furnish a new crew (in whole or part) from Mobile who are well acquainted with its management & make an attempt to destroy a vessel of the enemy as early as practicable."

Three days later, Brigadier General  Jordan, Beauregard's Chief of Staff, directed that the submarine be "cleaned and turned over to him with the understanding that said Boat shall be ready for service in two weeks."

Under Hunley's direction, a crew was brought to Charleston from Mobile, the H.L. Hunley was readied, and a number of practice dives carried out preparatory to making an actual attack.

Getting ready.