The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-11-15

StdrtD3, arising from tlc SuHUodtS uSihS "Sh "
the rear, which, / improved, in borrowing from
Commander Steedman on board the flag ship, Paul
Jones, twelve pound dahlgren boat howitzer and
fifty two rounds Of ammunition, which proved Of
great service to me, and for which desire to re-
turn my thanks. was also furnished, by General
Brannan's order, with fifty men from the n. I.
VOL Engineers, under command of Captain Eaton,
provided with the necessary implementsfor cutting
the railroad, Sc.
We were soon under way and had proceeded
some three miles up the river, when the gunboats
turned around and went back, in compliance, as
was informed, with an order from the flag ship.
however, continued on my course in the Planter,
meanwhile signalling to the flag officer for at least
one gunboat-in reply to which he kindly sent two,
viz the PATRON and the Marblehead, which fol-
lowed after the lapse of few minutes. The river
at this point was very narrow and winding but the
water in most places was over twelve feet in depth
at low tide. l found no difficulty, therefore, in
reaching point two miles distant from Coosaw-
hatchie, but it Ipw being almost dead low tide,
further progressby water was rendered impossible
by the Planter running aground. Throwing few
shells in the woods, i disenb rked with my infan-
try and engnees as expeditiously as possible, ta-
king with me the boat howitzer, referred to above,
in charge of Captain Gould, Sd r. /. A., and de-
taehment oftwese of bis men. The swampy na-
ture of the gronhd rendered landing difficult, but
losing no time, Iadyanced towards the main road
sending request to the officer in command OF
the PATRON, the gunboat nearest me-and about
one mile and Ialf astcrn; to the road in my
rear. as I advanced. should state here that both
the gunboats we're unfortunately aground, and
were thus prevented from takiug position nearer
to the Plaater. -.
NV advance reported squads of Cavalry in sight,
as the main bodr entered the road which it did at
right angie, to the point of Decentralization. The
road proved to be an excellent one-hard and firm
and evidently repaired but hour or two before,
the dirt being still fresh, and the tracks upon it
showed plainly that artillery, infantry and cavalry
had just passed over it. I continued my advance
toward the town. driving in the enemy's pickcts,
sns e~pny as thoroughly as pos
whistle of locomotive was heard. Twas informs
ed by the t" contraband," who had been furnished
as guide, that it was the G. dirt train which al
ways passed at that hour, and which he said was
well on its way to Savannah. A few moments how
ever. proved that he had misinformed me, for when
the main body had arrived at point within q few
hundred yards Of the town, and when the skirmish-
ers had already reached the railroad track and tel
egraph line-the train was heard and seen coming
rapidly down the road. Iquickly placed my bat.
talon in position, and as the train approached,
directed heavy and rapid fire upon it. with grape
and canister and musketry. This fire was very de-
strnctiye. Tho train consisted Of eight cars, six
of which were platforms, crowded with men-the
two box cass fIled with officers. There were also
two hsht fed pieces on board. Many we're seen
to eli at thedrsk FIRE (anong them the engineer)
and twentysfse or thirty jumped from the train,
most Of whaan Kete maifned or killed, the rest,
with one ex6ojion, betaking themselves to the
woods and sslnp on the other side Of the track
We carried al AZ = OF destroyed here about thirty
stands Of ami mostly rides, and secuted one
officers swor aud cap, and stand Of silk colors,
belonging ID {he g w hippy Swamp Guards" We
left number :of the enaray's dead and wounded
on the track. hare since learned, from the Sa-8
vannah papers Of the 24th and 25th that among the
killed at t6is boilt was Major Harrison of the llth
Georgia Ro9k, which Regiment, with the Guards
named aboFe was on the train Immediately
after the trail had passed, Captain Eaton, bymy di-
rcction, set Vigorously to work, tearing up the rail-
road track, nd demolshiDg the telegraph lime, and
continued tbs until the retreat was sounded
- r. L, a.