Lee and His Generals: William Henry Chase Whiting

Continued from November 10.

Since the McHenry County Civil War Round Table was having its July 2, 2022, discussion group topic on Lee and his generals, I prepared this information on my favorite Confederate general, W.H.C. Whiting.

He was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, the son of Lt. Colonel Levi Whiting.  I haven't found it written anywhere else, but he was most likely named after his father's commander, William Henry Chase (1798-1870).

Whiting graduated 1st in his USMA Class of 1845 and was assigned to the engineers. (The top USMA graduates were assigned to the engineers.)    He spent his prewar career in the Army designing seacoast defenses in Maryland and Florida as well as harbor fortifications in San Francisco, California.

He then spent five years improving rivers, canals and harbors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.  He also built the Cape Lookout, North Carolina, lighthouse.

--Old Secesh

Cape Lookout Lighthouse-- Part 3

At the beginning of the Civil War, theConfederate Lighthouse Service went to all lighthouses, removed the lenses, and took them to interior places for safety. This included the first order lens at Cape Lookout.

Raphael Semmes, later admiral of the Confederate Navy, was at one time commander of the lighthouse service.

After Federal forces took control of the lighthouse, a temporary third order lens was installed in March 1863. The original lens was found in Raleigh but had been damaged so was sent to StatenIsland Lighthouse Depot for repair. It was reinstalled in 1868.

Until 1885, whale oil was the primary fuel.

We'll Leave the Light On. --B-R'er

Cape Lookout Lighthouse-- Part 2

The Friends of Cape Lookout National Seashore said that the construction of the lighthouse was under the supervision of (and probably designed by) William Henry Chase Whiting, Corps of Engineers US Army.

An original drawing of the lighthouse has been found and is noted "Drawn under the direction of Lieut. Wm. H. C. Whiting, Corps Engr."

It is undated, but known that Whiting was promoted to captain in late 1858.

So the Lighthouse is a Whiting House. --Old B-Runner

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

The US Department of the Interior has given $487,000 to repair the spiral staircase inside the lighthouse so people with the gumption can climb to the top again. Not me.

The lighthouse is known for its distinctive black and white diamonds. Yesterday marked the 150th anniversary of its first lighting, November 1, 1859.

The first lighthouse was built in 1812, but it was found to be too short. Of great interest to me, it was designed and built by W. H. C. Whiting of the US Army Corps of Engineers. He is also connected with the construction and defense of North Carolina's Fort Fisher.

After the war, it served as the model of the Hatteras, Bodie Island and Currituck Beach lighthouses. And, I always thought Cape Hatteras was built first.

Definitely Not Climbing to the Top, Even If Whiting Did Build It. --Old B-Runner