The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-11-15
I Confined from Second page.

T Ccntinusd from Second page.
information of the General Commanding the forces,
that agreeable to the orders of the Major-GeneIal
Commanding the Department, reported to Acting
Maor-G Ge1eral Brannan this morning at eight
o'clocE-with two hundred and fifty enlisted men
of the Volunteer Engineers and fifteen officers
constituting the Engineer forces
Fiftv-tour men and two officers were assigned to
duty with Col Barton, 48th N. Y. Vols and fur
nished with tools and proper appliances to destroy
railroad structures. This detachment was placed
under the orders of Captain Samuel +. Eaton,
Vol. Engs and has not yet been heard from. The
remaining forces of the Engineers were placed
under the immediate orders of Lieut-Col James
+. Hall, Vol. Eng; was assigned to duty on the
commanding Generals Staff.
The line of march was from Mackay's point on
Broai River, on the direct road towards Old Poco-
taligo The general direction is about North from
the point and the road is on the right bank of the
Pocotaligo River, beginning at the confluence OF
the Pocotaligo and Broad Rivers and lying from one
quarter to three quarters of mile from the stream.
The country through which the road runs is
rolling, sandy plain, except at two points where 1t
crosses marshes and small streams, the first OF
which is about five miles from the point and is on
ssCaston's'' Plantation; the second is about SIX
and a quarter miles, and the plantation is called
&c Frampton," at both of these points serious en-
gagements took place with the rebels.
The Engineer Troops were engaged from ABOUT
ten oclo until after sunset in making and repair
ing several small bridges and in keeping the road
in order.
LicutCol Hall reports Acting Lieut., Sergt
Nathaniel N. Edwards, as especially worthy OF
notice for his efforts in repairing the bridge at
Frampton, under heavy fire, and for his general
efficiency.
The point reached was within few yards of the
road bridge over the Pocotaligo, on the road lead
ing from Old Pocotaligo to Coosawhatchie. This
bridge was destroyed by the rebels as they retreat
ed over it into their earthworks on the easterly
side.
Timber for the purpose of rebuilding this bridge
was prepared by the Engineers, and was ready 10
be put together when the retreat was ordered.
This point is within about mile and half of
the Charleston an&kxs$1nsA RaIlroad othcers
in the advance report n3sing seenthe cars passing
A small lunette that had been abandoned was
observed on the southerly side of the marsh on
the high ground near "Caston.'
l have the honor to be
g. Your obdt serv't,
: EDWARD W. SERRELL,
Col Vol Eng and Chief Engineer 10th Army Corps
Captain LOUIS ]. LAMBERT,
Asst Adj't Gen'l u S. Forces, Broad River.
Postscript-7a A NJ, 23d Oct, 1857 cannot
too highly compliment Lieut-Col. Hall for his
zeal and efficiency in caring for the wounded
of the whole army during the night.
Capt. Eaton has Just reported that the detach-
ment commanded BY him under the orders Of Col
Barton, 4sth N. Y. Vols, destroyed portion Of
the railroad at Coosswhatchie and covered the
return of the 4Sth N T. Vols, by tearing up and
destroying the bridges on the road back.
Your obdit seryt
EDWARD W. SERRELL,
Col. Vol. Eng, Chief Engineer i0sh Army Corps
+. -. 49,