The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-11-03
IMPORTANT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA,
The Attack on the Charleston and
Savannah Railroad.
II Bloody and Obstinate
Battle.


Fa4l Particulars of tie Engagement.
OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION.
Correspondence of the N. \. Herald
MAoKAy's POINT, Broad River,
S. c., Oct. So.
/ have to write you of another hard
fought battle. The brigades OF General
Brannan aud Terry encountered the enc
my yesterday at point about four miles
from Pocotaligo, on the Charleston and
Savannah railroad. They routed the
rebels from their position, drove them
back, pushed them across the Pocotallgo
River, the bridge over which the enemy
destroyed as they rstlred, thus prevent
ing further chase. The contest resulted
in victory for our troops, purchased,
however, at fearful cost.
The expedition whose history am at
tempting under many disadvantages to
record had this for it's object: First, a
reconnaissance of Broad River, together
with its tributaries, the Coosawatchle,
the Tulifnny and the Pocotallgo, sec
ond, to test practically the rapidlty and
safety with which landing could be et-
fected; third, to learn the strength of the
enemy on the main land guarding the
railroad between Charleston and Sayan-
nah fourth, to accomplish so much OF
the destruction Of the railroad as could be
done in a single day.
The land aud naval forces participating
in the movement sailed from Hilton
i ead All III about III CLOCK on Lie night Of
the , list.
Mackay's Point, which we reached
shortly before daylight, is the confluence
Of the Broad and Pocotaigo Rivers, and
and has been for several months oceu-
pied by strong picket of the enemy. It's
distance from Hilton Head is twentyicur
miles, which the village Of pocotaIigo lies
about eleven miles to the Northwest. -
From the point to the village the roads
lead through fertile cotton lands, and
cool, shady groves, past few line plan
tation mansions and neat negro quarters
vet the lands were deserted, and only the
tramp Of the enemy syidettes, it seemed,
had prevented the obliteration Of the mar
row path
Over this road, at an early hour, the
brigade of General Brannan took up it:
march, the artillery of Lieut. Henry III tie
advance, supported by the 18th Pennsyl
vania, and followed by the 55th Penn.
the 9th Conn, and the 4th New llamp.
shire. Close behind followed General
Terry's command, comprising the 10th
Penn, the It'll Connecticut, the Sd New
| Hampshire AMI the New York Volunteer
Engineers, preceded by section of Ham
iton's battery, under Lieut.. Gittlngs.--
Your correspondent accompanied the 10th
Penn. regiment, marching portion OF The
distance by the side Of Capt. Hamilton,
am grieved to record.
From the fact that an attempt on th'
part of Capt. Gray, OF the 7th Conn, t
bag the picket at Mackay's during thu
night had resulted merely in surprising
them, it was inferred that the enemy hat
timely notice of our approach, and woult
be prepared for US in strong force. W
met him at noon about seven miles out
The rebels had stationed field artillery o.
either side of the road at the summit Q
slight ascent, to reach which we wer
compelled to cross an open held aud
narrow causeway. Here. as the Att
Penn. came up, the enemy poured in W
on us fearful fire Of grape and shrapne
which was promptly answered by mu;
kerry. Lieutenant Henry artillery ais
: pressed forward at great speed, and got $
close to the rebels as to play upon the'
/, etfectually with grape and canister. A
!, the ball opened, and the echoes of artiller
: grew more frequent, our boys pressed Q
g with cheers that were caught by the Ell
e tire column, and in ten minutes the rel
n els had been forced from their position
> They fell back, fighting as they wen
J. our troops crowding them at distance
# a mile and half.
!. The rebel fire was from the frs We
ts directed and well maintained. 1t W,
hot and terrible beyond anything ev
saw before, excepting, perhaps, that
:, James Island A single shell explodiI
= in the midst of Lieut.. Henrys guns, xii
:, ed one man and wounded four others
Still his pieces were served most faithful
= ly, his gallant artillerists standing to the
= work till only three were left to man b
~ right piece. The battery of Lieut.. Oh
: tings, Of the Sd regular artillery, "
= also badly cut up. Each of his secto
:. lost one killed and seven wounded.
NJ The brigade Of Gen. Terry was at on
i thrown forward, and in few momen
from the opening Of the battle were actiy
,r ly engaged in assisting Gen. Brannan
IN troops. The 3D. New Hampshire al
hc Scrolls engineers were held in reserv