Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19
Severe Fight at secessionviEIe


The fight on Monday will make secessionvle memorable
the of among the many desperate and bloody
contests of the present struggle The and de-
signs of the enemy james island is well Known have
been Periousy nerered with by Colonel Lamars battery
which has kept for several days regular and eecua
FIRE the enemy's chosen position doubt frustrating
their movements the erection of additional batteries To
surprise drive away from this battery
haps attempt its capture also entire force
toned there the main objects of their advance and at
tack Our forces consisted of two companies of Lamar
of artillery (regulars numbering about 240 men,
the Charleston battalion, and Smiths battalion
The eneny it is supposed, had been informed Of the
condition of forces at the battery the being al
completely out by continuous watching, with
scarcely hours uninterrupted sleep for week or ten
combined with hard fare and hard work in the trench
es and in the erection Of new batteries
The Smelling of the enemy also in disturbing
mems rest at night they were compelled to be
tinuay their guard against explosions, frequently
the midst of the camp The defeat OF the enemy under
these circumstances, indeed proud triumph Colonel
Lamar however, anticipating an attack his battery,
knowing the importance of the position marching
his men the battery night ordered that they should
sleep by their guns ready Tor action at any moment
Some small demonstration Of attack had been made by
the enemy on Sunday night.
The Charleston Light Infantry Captain Thos. Y. Smons
on Sunday night detailed picket duty, and in
ing, made sudden upon them capturing
four and driving in the remainder The alarm i'm
medatey given but the enemy had also pushed rapidly fir
ward had got within three hundred yards of the bat
terry by the time forces had taken their positions
The advance force of the Federas consisted of the 8h
Michigan regiment, who marched up boldly the double
quick and made daring assault upon the battery and
guns brought to bear upon them and opened fire
with grape and canister, causing immense havoc III their
lines leaving the ground front OF entertainments
covered with their dead and wounded They fell back but
very quickly rallied by their oicers and again ad
vanoed but quickly driven back by the destructive
fire of forces Renfocements OF the enemy also came
forward and they repulsed with heavy loss All CT
| fought with desperation.
Captain Samuel J. Reed, in command of Company B,
(BarnWe Arllery Lanars eglment was killed by vol
ley from the enemy ball striking him in the aaad Capt
Reed but few moments before his fall had taken the
place at the guns of Sergeant Baggott OF his company
who after firing the first shot from the battery struck
by Minnie ball from the enemy and killed.
Lieut.. Humbert of the Orangeburg Artillery. IN charge
of another gGn wounded and his place ImeAla ely
supplied by Col Lamar himself.
The enemys infantry, whenever repulsed, would fall
back and the gunboas together with their land batteries
opened with perfect shower OF shell and grape and CAMS
ter.
Finding their efforts to drive from the battery
Intellectual they attempted to flank US on both sides
Col Lamar again opened upon their ranks with shot,
grape and canister from eightinch ColuRbad which
seemed literally to cut down their whole column At least
onefourth their whole at this time seemed either
killed wounded and lay the field leVery elrecon
The enemy however, continued to fight desperately the
officers ralyng their men and of them even rushing
created the impression that the battery had been taken
Col. Lamar wounded by Minnie ball, which went
through the left ear, inieng also wound in the
neck He ase sustained slight wound in the back of the
kets. Notwithstanding his wounds, COL Lamar continued
with his command till the close OF the fight.
Both sides were reinforced during the contest
The following forces side were engaged: A Bat
talon of Colonel Lamars Regiment the Charleston Bat
talon: Smiths Battalion; Louisiana Battalion; Eutaw
Regiment Colonel Goodett's I'D Regiment s. O. "; Ha
goods Regiment, and Attn Georgia Regiment.
The force Of the enemy supposed to have consisted Of
five regiments-the 9th Michigan, 47th New Yord, 10th
Highlander Sd Rhode Island 2Sth Massachusetts and de-
tachnept Of the eth Pennsylvania.