Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-07-04
.rfoullts of Gate Battles.
The Battle Near Charleston.

18th inst, we copy the following ac-
count of the fight at Secessionville:
Secessionyille is a small village, the
retreat of q few of the James Island
planters 1t is on the eastern side of
the island, on high plat Of land lying
IN bold creek, which winds through the
marshes between James's and Morris'i
Cor Folly Island, and empties into the
Stono river near its mouth. This creel
sss.s immediately mp to Sacessionyille
On the west of the village short, shall
low creek makes its way towards The
waters of Charleston bay. Thus tongue
Of land is formed between the two creeks
1t is connected with the body Of the isl.
and by narrow neck of thirty yards
width, some four or five hundred yards
south Of Secessionville Here Lamar's
battery is located, across the high land
and fanked on each side by marsh and the
creeks. It's simple earthwork, heavily
constructed. having plain face, with an
obtuse angle at each side. 1t faces south,
in the direction of Battery Island, Le-
cares, Rivers's and GrimbaPs planta-
tons, on the Stone river, which is about
two miles off.
From this point the cleared high land
stretches out towards. the Stone river,
like the top of funnel, for the distance
Of near mile, interrupted only by the
division lines between fields, hedges, and
bitches, These fields are covered with
weeds three feet high. The edges of
high land and marsh are skirted with
brushwood and sea myrtles. In the back
ground are patches of wood between
these fields and the Stone. On the bor-
ders of these woods three batteries Of the
enemy are located; aud, besides these
land batteries, the gunboats, approaching
by way of the Secessionville creek, can
open fire as they please. For the last
fortnight fight at long taw has been
going on at intervals between the Seces-
sionvile battery and the guns of the
enemy, and our artillery men have been
much tagged by their watching and ex-
ertions. They have done much to keep
the foe in check.
On Sunday night two companies, CON
sistng Of the Charleston Light Infantry,
from the Charleston Battalion, under
Captain r. Y Simons, and Company A f,
Captain Smart, from Smiths Battalion,
were thrown out half mile in front of
the work. The rest of the men Of these
two battalions of infantry, stationed at
Socessionyille to support the battery,
were laboriously occupied during the
night. The two companies Of Lamar's
South Carolina Volunteer Artillery
Reds aud Keitts-were also engaged
IN labor until half hour Of dawn, when
they were ordered by Colonel Lamar to
take a nap. At break Of day the pickets
came running in just before the advance
ing foe When Col Lamar was notified,
and looked out from the work he was TO
defend, the enemy had approached to
within four hundred yards. But TWEEN
ty-liye Of the garrison were awake. 1t
was complete surprise, and nothing but
the nerve, promptitudo and energy of the
officers, especially the commanding Off
Ger, saved tho battery from easy capture.
The first round was fred when the CO.
lumn was within thirty PAGES Of the guns.
1t was well directed by Col. Lamar him
self. The shot burst through the closed
ranks with great havoc, and the foe soon
retired
The wearied men, startled by the sound
or aroused by shakes and bayonet punch
es from their officers, sprang to their
guns. The two infantry battalioBs rush
cd to their quarters for their weapons,
formed under their officers, and came 10
the assistance Of the gunners Three
land batteries, two sections Of field artil-
lery, and three gunboats, began to open
upon the work The second charge of
the enemy was made aud rcpulsed with
slaughter And again the third. The
accurate fire of our rifcmon, cooperating
with the deadly discharges Of Grape and
canister, swept the field in front and cut
down the skirmishers, who, deploying on
the left flank under cover Of some bushes,
had come up to the very work at that
angle. In these successful efforts, which
occurred by five o'clock in the morning,
Colonel Lamar fell from the effect Of
Mimic ball striking him through tho
lower part Of the ear, and running round
his neck under the skin.
TO his cool courage aud energy, in the
carly part Of the action, is due the pre-
seryation Of the position under circum-
stances Of great peril, from the surprise
His brave example and personal efforts
greatly inspired his command.
After Col Lamar was wounded he was
unable to stand, from bis great loss Of
blood, and was carried of as soon as
practicable. His place in the battery
was filled by that able, accomplished,
and indefatigable officer of tho regular
artillery, Lieutenant Col. 7. NJ Wag-
uer--being the next officer 10 rank pre-
sent. AS Col. Gaillard bad been sta
toned at the post with his battalion for
some tune, aud had done good service,
Col Wagner, who was only temporarily
there, requested him 10 assume command,