January 29, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
Major William H. Chase, formerly of the United States Corps of Engineers, is the leader of the State troops at Pensacola, Florida. He was formerly a resident of Massachusetts, and received the appointment of cadet from that State to the Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated March 3, 1815. He was appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in the same month, and promoted to full lieutenancy April 15, 1818. His subsequent promotions to first lieutenancy, captain, and major, date respectively March 31, 1819, January 1, 1825, and July 7, 1838. In 1844 he was a member of the Special Board of Engineers for examination of Florida reefs, &c., on the Gulf frontier of Texas and Mississippi. He was a member of the Board of Engineers from March 13, 1848, to September, 1848. He resigned his position in the Federal army October 31, 1856. Major Chase is a man of indomitable perseverance and courage, and ranks high as a military engineer and strategist. He is about sixty four years of age, and possesses a large private fortune.