The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-05-09
NoRTH EDIsTo ISLAND, S. c.,
April 18th, 1862.
FRIEND HARRY:

FRIEND HARRY:
Knowing that you fee! an interest
in every thing connected with the movements
of our army and that you take deep interest
in the welfare of the troops from your county,
l take this opportunity to give you some of our
doings in this, the garden island of the South
: -s<''sr-i;rst Co'rst. ThU 4Tth New furk,. Col.
Moore, and the 55th Pcnn'a. Regiment, had
camps adjoining, near the steam boat landing.
having in their rear Capt Keefe's company of
ist Massachusetts Cavalry; these were kept all
the time Oh the alert and thereby valuabld in
formation as to the cncmy's movements on the
island, was ascertained. Frequent rumors of
the enemy having been seen on the island were
heard. But when Lieut.. Col. Bennet, Lieut.
hlrDy, OF the 47th Il. T., and q Mr.. Wills
o. D agent, were taken prisoners by the rebels,
the tact CT their presence was placed beyond
doubt. Toprevent the recurrence of another
such case, and the better to ensure us the pos
session OF the island, Col Whites regiment was
ordered from camp and quartercd in planters
houses, by company, having for centre the
quarters of co. G, Capt. Waterbury, where the
whole force of the regiment could be concen-
trated in a short time in case of attack from
any quarter. Each company had TO do its share
the enemy. Opposite this island is that of
Jchosee, owned by Governor Akin, the veal
thiest man in Carolina. After our regiment had
been thus disposed Of the most dangerous points
were found to be Little Edisto Island and the
Ferry of Jchosee Island at the Hunion Plant,-
tlon, some three miles distant To the latter
place were assigned Capt Bennet's co. Z and
Capt. Nesbits co. +, this company occupying
the Hanehaa house on the river bank opposite
Jehosee. The Little Edisto separates North
and Little Edsto Islands, which is spanned by
bridge 60 feet span. The former point being
The more distant, was guarded by pickets taken
from each company in turn. For the first two
nights il was the pickets Of A and who were
there. They were attacked and driven back.
a piece OF ordnance was then brought out and
OIL Tie evening of the 2Sth of March, Lieut..
bedcl, Sergeant Leech, Corporals Detwiler and
Herring, with Is men were detailed for picket
at that post Corp, Dctwier and men had
one post and Corp. Herring and men another,
distance from the house about the Sth of mile
Every thing was very quiet until about 81 o.
clock A. M, (prcvious to which red and blue
nights had been thrown up) when q volicy was
heard followed by the report Of rifles. This
was sufficient to justify the suppositon that the
enemy was coming. So the Lieut. hastily col
ecting his reserve awaited the coming in of the
outpost pickets. Presently one came without
his gun or cap, then another, and reported the
enemy approaching with a large force of in
fantFy and cavalry. Then came Herring and
his five men, all safe, it having been the road
pickets that were attacked, and on mastering the
men, Corporal Detwiler and privates Earnest,
Ritchey and Saupp were missing. Dark as it
was, without moonlight, the darkness became
more intense by the increasing fog AS the lit
tie party stood there taking counsel how to pro-
ceed, you could hear the commands of the reb.
el officers distinctly: "lst company forward!"
''2d company, right wheel, march," &c. TWAS
hard to leave missing comrades, but what could
handful do in such an emergency but make
safe retreat last as possible. This was done.
and the party got over the fence through the
cotton field, gained the road, and halted at a
circular clunp of bushes which was the picket's
quarters in daytime; then fred alarms and re-
treated still further down the road TO the gate;
halted and fred signals again. 1t was then
thought better to retreat still further to another
gate on the road side, leading to the quarters of
Cos A and G. There hey were determined to