The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-04-24

| for the first tins on the soil of South Car.
DINA. On the morning of the 29th ult
the advance Of the rebels attacked on,
! picsets under Lieut. Bedell, Of COMPANY
*. and after sharp skirmish drove them
In. The enemy, under cover of dense
fog, advanced to within few hundred
yards Of our headquarters, where several
companies and one cannon were in wait
the right and drove our pickets in off the
Russell Greek bridge, which connects this
with Little Edisto Island, and burnt it
after crossing. On the latter Island com
panies h and f, of our regiment. were
stationed, doing picket duty, and the in
tentions Of the enemy were doubtless to
cut off and capture these two companies.
The rebel force consisted Of at least four
companies that crossed Russell Greek, and
they Immediately advanced on company
T, Captain Nesbit, of Indiana county,
Captain Nesbit was ready to receive them,
and sharp engagement Of at least fifteen
minutes occurred between them. Cap
tain Ms men were entrenched behind
an embankment, but the greater number
of the enemy enabled them to outAank
the loss of one man killed, and several
wounded and prisoners. Among the pris-
oners is First Lieutenant M'Illheny.-
During the retreat, Captain Nesbit kept
up continual fire upon the enemy until
he came to II dense woods, where he avail
ted another attack. But the enemy refu-
sed to appear. Captain Benefits compa-
ny, Z, which was upon the same Island,
was in line awaiting an attack, but the
enemy were in too big hurry to get off
the Island.
The whole object Of the enemy was to
cut Oft and capture our picket companies.
After driving in our first picket, de-
tachment Of the enemy made hurried
advance and surrounded the house which
was formerly the quarters Of Captain Car
rolls Co. The exposed position OF the
latter company induced Col. White to re-
move 1t to more secure quarters, conse-
Iuehtly the enemy were ioiled In their
attempt to capture it. The plans of the
rebels were excellently laid, and it was
1nly through the vigilance oe our officers |
,nd the aacrity aud courage OF our men |
hat they were defeated in their designs. |
Lieut.. Bedell, Of Company K, who was in |
command Of the advanced picket, obsti- |
lately disputed every inch of the enemy's |
tdyance, and when he returnedto head |
quarters, but fourteen men out Of sixteen |
hat were with him returned, the others |
'eing taken prisoners. Company HIS |
,ickets, who were at Russell Greek bridge,
'nly retreated when an overwhelming
orce drove them in. They lost seven
Of bo., i
Lieut.. Millinery, who, with eleven men
we're taken prisoners, was detached with
us men to hold a position and prevent
ank movement by the enemy, but the
numbers Of the enemy com
'elled him to suecumb rather than
acriice the lives Of hiss band of noble
atriots. Capt Nesbit, to whose company
ieut. M'lllheny was attached, deserves
he greatest praise for the noble stand he
lado against overwhelming numbers Of
be enemy. As an instance of his heroic
eviction to his men, he refused to cross
sussel Greek to Edisto island on small
ait his men constructed, until every man
7as safely carried over. Lieut.. Stewart,
is second lieutenant, an excellent swim
ler, superiutended the crossing, remain
= l. / 4
mt company lost everything they had.
Company C, Capt. Waterbury, although
rouSht Immediately IN front of the enc
~, very gallantly distinguished them
,lves, as | am pleased to say did every
ther company Of the regiment. The hne
battle was formed Immediately in front
Capt. Waterbury's quarters. Several
the Captains men were despatched to
ring in the picket, who were skirmishing
18th the enemy. The detachment fell in
ith lot of rebel cavalry, who were dis {
ersed by them. The cavalry inglorious-
retreated across the bridge to Jehorse '
land. {
This morning one of Capt Nesbit's
en-, who was taken prisoner, escaped
ON the rebels and returned to camp
rom his statement, which L have every :
JASON to believe is reliable, it appears the
bel loss is very severe. He helped to f
.rry off the island fifteen dead bodies of
e enemy, and quite number OF wound
|. The force brought against US con- f
sted OF six companies of infantry and
ie OF cavalry. The force opposite us :
insists of seven regiments of infantry. T
II from their signal defeat in this their
Sc aggressive movement upon the Union !
oops IN this State, the impression is
ey won't attempt to make another at
tx. The following is correct list of r
sualities sustained. q
Ktlyed-Wm. Cunningham Co. F.
hounded-John Stetfe, Company f.
d prisoner.