The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-04
The Battle Of James Island.

We find the following account OF the bat
tie near Charleston in the correspondence Of
the New York Tribune:
PoRr ROYAL, S. O., june 10, 1862.
Our troops have sustained repulsc on
James Island, with severe loss in killed,
wounded and missing.
On the night OF Sunday, the 18th, II was
determined to attack portion Of the rebel
line Of defenses, running across the island ,
and fort, near an observatory erected by
the enemy for the purpose Of overlooking our
proceedings Gen. Benham being DESTROYS Of
occupying or destroying the works, includ-
ing, II possible, floating battery, anchored
near the village of Secessionyille, with the
view OF opening passage for operations
against Fort johnson and Charleston. The
plan of assault having been determined up
on, ten. Stevens was. directed to advance
with his command, supported by four guns
of Rockwcll's battery; progressing rapidly
and silently on the right, while Gems. Wright
and Williams, with six guns of llamilton's
battery, did the same on the left, preventing
endorsements being sent 10 the enemy, and,
il necessary, assisting Gen. Stevens. Ac-
cordingly, ut 4 n. m. the assault began,
Ii was, at first, complete surprise, the
rebel pickets and a Lieutenant being captured
without firing gun. An hour after day
break our men were scaling the deep abattis
fronting the enemy's works, but not before
the fire from General Stevens battery had
alarmed the garrison. A desperate struggle
now commenced. The 9Th Michigan, fore
most in rank, was followed by the 10Th New
York (Ilighlanders) and the 2Sth Mass. Two
or three companies Of the 10Th New York
mounted the parapet and fought heroically,
paying the penalty for their yalor in killed
and wounded. Here one of our officers. name
not given, but supposed to be LII. White Of
the 9TH Conn, recognized in one Of the at
lacking rebels man who had taken him
prisoner at Bull Run, and made an endeayor
TO return the compliment. it Is said, but lost
his own life by chance shot in the attempt.
The example OF the Highlanders was imi'
tated. though less expedi:iously, by Others.
now under murderous fire from the rebel
fort at only fifty yards distance, and q fusl-
ladc of musketry from rifle pits, hedges, and
every available locality.
Finally. our men were driven back, some
scattering in the adjacent swamps, Others re-
firing in pretty good order with portion Of
our wounded, under protection OF our bat
terics.
The rebels used 42.poundor, loaded with
grape, canister, chain and round shot, and
even old junk bottles. A fragment of the
latter was subsequently extracted from the
shoulder OF Lieutenant. Our officers were
particularly exposed-some Of the best and
bravest killed.
Many narrow escapes are related. Ashell
exploded between 1t. Porter of the Ordnance
Department and Quirtermaster Ellwell., q
fragment passing across the breast Of the
former and grazing the fnger-tips Of his
right hand. Capt. Gray, too. had shell
pass under his feet, and sank into the hole
made by il.
Our troops having formed again. and
demonstration Of attack upon the left wing
being made by the enemy. Gen. Wright's
men. under command Of Col. Williams, OF
the LIST Mass. cavalry, advanced to meet them,
Hamilton's and Ransom's guns preceding
Here our soldiers, exposed to CALLING cross
FIRE between the forts and woods. behaved ex-
cellently, especially the 9th Penn. and the
Sd n. H., the latter suffering severely. I'm.
der the superstition that the FIRE Of the rebel
fort had been compelled to slacken under
those Of Hamilton's and the Conn. batteries,
Gen. Stevens was then ordered to form col
umn for another assault, while Col. Williams
held his position to repulsc any attack ON the
left. and part Of Gen. wright's command
went to Gen. Stevens assistance.
Gen. Wright, meanwhile, had sent word
to the gunbcats dirsvting them to shell the
rebels quarter Of mile to the left. In
this they failed, miscalculating their range,
when our troops. unsupported by any thing
but Geld pieces, and again subjected to Amer