The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-11-08
Of defence in my rear.

sis: VIII disappeared in the woods with amazingv
riuidity. The Infantry of the 1st Brigade, imme-
diately plunged through the swamp (parts Of
which were nearly upto tleir armpits) and started
in pursuit. S me delay was caused by the bridge
hsving been destroyed, impeding the pass &c Of
the Artill ry. This difficulty was overcome and
with my full force, pressed forward on the re-
treating rebsls It this point apprehendia g (from
the facility which the rebels possessed Of hsa ling
Poe taiigo creek, that ey would attempt to turn
my left flank sent an nfantry regiment with
b. thowitz,r, to my left strike the Coosahatche
road The position which l he.e found, prov d,
as had suppo ed, to b. one of great natuI al ad-
want .gas to the rebels, the ground being higher
that side f the swamp, and having firm open
field. for the working of their Artillery which latter
they formed in half circle, throwing concentra-
ID fire on the entrance to the wood, we had just
pas ed
The rebels eft, in their retreat "a aisson full OF
ammunition, which latte fortunately fitting the
boa howitzers, enable us at a later period of the
da.. to keep up our fire when all other ammunition
had failed.
Still pursuing the flying rebels arrived at that
point where the Coosahatchie road, joining that
from Mackey landing runs through swamp to
Pocotaligo bridge; here the rebels opened MUIR
derous fire upon us from batteries of siege guns,
and field pieces on the further side Of the creek.
Our skirmishers however, advanced boldly to
edge
could obtaia, dill considerable execution among
the enemy.
The rebels, as had anticipated, attempted
flank movement on our left, but for some reason
abandoned it. The ammunition of the artillery,
here entirely failed owing to the caissons not hav-
ing been brought on, for want Of transport ton
from Port Royal, and pieces had to be sent back
70 Mackey's Point, a distance of ten miles, to
renew it
The bridge across the Pocotaligo was destroyed,
and the rebels. from behind thsir earthworks, con-
tinued tremendous fire on the only approach to
it through the swamp. Night was now closing
fast aad seeing the utter hopelessness of attempt
ing ANYTHING further, against the force which the
enemy had concentrated at this point, from SaVan-
nah and Charleston, with an army Of much inferior
.r-.sidsS with amnunitoRs and not having
even sufficient transportation to remove the wound
ed, who were lying writhing along our entire route,
deemed it expedient to retire on Mackey's Point,
which did in successive lines of defence, burying
nv dead, and carrying our wounded with Us In
such stretchers as we could manufacture from
branches of trees, blankets &C., and receiving 20
molestation from the rebels, embarked, and return
ed t, Hilton Head on the 23d inst.
Facts tend to show that the rebels were perfect
ly acquainted with all our p. ans, as they had ev
IDENTITY studied our purpose wi care, and had two
lines of fence (Caston and Franpton) before fall
ing back on PocOtaigo, where, aided BY their Held
works and favored by the nature of the ground
and facility of concentrating troops they evidently
purposed making determined stand; and, indeed,
the accounts gathered from prisoners leave no
doubt but that the rebels had very accurate infor-
nation of our movements.
/ greatly felt the want Of the cavalry, who, in
consequence of the transports ha ing grounded in
Broad River, did not arrive till nearly T. NJ. and
who. in the early part of the day, would perhaps
have captured some field pieces in the open coun-
try we were then in, aud would at all events have
prevented the destruction OF the bridge in rear OF
the rebels.
Great praise is due to the Brigade and Regi.
mental Com handlers, for their calm and determined
courage during the entire day, and for the able
manner in which they handled their several COM
mands. Colonel Barton, 48th Regiment, N. Y, S.
Vo s as will be seen from the accompanying copy
of his report, partially effected the ope~t OF MS
movement on Coosawhatchie, but meeting with too
strong force of rebels, was obliged t, reembark.
desi.e to call the attention Of the Major-G6-