North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-02-22
{Omcial.)
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE SOUTH.
H1LTos Hr.n g r. Nov 7 1894

NO. 10H.
IHE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE,
relative to the attack on Fort johnson and
SNnpkins, in July last, is published for the
information of the command lis publication
has been delayed by the illness and prolong-
ed acsence of Brig Gen. STRENGTHENING :,
who was originally charged with the investi-
CATION.
At A. NJ, July 8, 1864, the 521 P. V. In
fantry, Major Little, with 60 men of the Sd.
R, /. Artillery, left Paine's Dock, Morris Is
land in boats, and under orders to take For is
johnson and Simpkina. They were to eros S
Charleston Harbor till opposite the beach be-
tween the forts, then move by the left flank,
pull vigorously to land, and assault with the
bayonet. Clear and precise instructions were
given to all concerned. The only signal of
retreat was to be sounded on bugle in DOS
sssion of Col Hoyt
The pilot failed to find the passage through
the bar near Fort johnson, but narrow
channel was at last discovered near shore
Through this many of the boats had passed,
day breaking, the enemy opened heavy fire
switch was, however, almost entirely harm
less. passing far over head.
The boats commanded by Col, Hoyt, Lieut.
Col. Conynghan,, Captain Camp, and Lieu
tenants Stevens and Evans, all of the SD Pa.
rowed rapidly to the shore, and these officers,
with Adjt. Hunyan, afterwards killed) and
l35 men, landed and drove the enemy, but,
deserted by their comrades, were obliged to
surrender to superior numbers.
Col. Hoyt bestows unqualified praise on
the officers and men who landed with him !;
Of them, seven were killed and sixteen woun
ded. Colonel Hoyt himself deserves great
credit for his energy in urging the boats for
ward, aud bringing them through the narrow
channel and the feeling which led him to
land at the head Of his men was The prompt
irg Of gallant spirit, which deserted to find
more imitators,
AT the time of Col. Hoyt's landing great
confusion existed in the "a and Sd division of
the 52d Penn. Regiment, and retreat cJm-
menced; it is impossible to discover which
boats first led off the disgraceful movement,
the occupants of each declaring that others
were retreating before they themselves turn
ed. These divisions falling back in confusion:
the 18th shared the general movement, and
the whole expedition returned to Paine's
Dock.
Col. Gurney, 129th N Y Regiment, com
handing Morris Island, who was charged
with sending the expedition, did not accom-
pany it but remained at Paine's Neck. There
seems no sufficient reason for this conduct
the presence of a commanding officer when
the landing was affecting would have been Of
the greatest service in preventing the retreat.
The chief cause of failure was the lack of
spirit, energy, and power of command on the
part Of subordinate officers. In such an ex-
petition the commander of boats exercise, in
a great measure an independent authority,
while, at the same time, they are able to hold
the men completely under their control. 1t
is on them the main responsibility must rest;
and it is plain that many of them were total
Iy unequal to the occasion. Among those
who seem to have been most wanting in de-
cision and determination, were Major Jayne,
Captain Weed, and Leuts. Farr, Moses, and
Aolingsworth, of the sd Penn. Regiment.
and the confusion in the boats of this reg't
could orly have arisen from a very lax state
of discipline,
TIE l27th n. Y. Regiment showed more
c)olness ond better discipline, still they not
only aetreated without proper orders but are
graVely in fault for not obeying lhe peremp-
tory ordor of their commanding officer, Maj.
or Little, (who seems to have done every
thing that could be done,) to land at once
From this ccnsure must be eqceptcd Captain
Henry, and Llouts. Little and Arbercrombie,
who brought their boats to shore and landed
Captain Weston, too, deserves favorable men
ton. The officers and men of the Sd Il. |.
Artillery appear to have behaved well.
The expedition was well planned, and wod
have succeeded, had it not been, for the alb
sence of the commanding order, and the want
of spirit and energy CD the port of many of
his suborddates,
The Major &c deral Commanding regrets
that he has felt it his duty to make known
the results of investigation into an affair
which reflects so little credit on most of those
concerned. He has reason to hope that many
are heartily ashamrd Of their conduct, and he
trusts it will be lesson { o the whole COM
mand, and especially to officers of all grades
how indispensable to the success of the most
promising plan is the possession of deteFmn-
alton and soldierly spirit by those who are to
execute it.
By Com'd of MAJOR GEN. J. G, FOSTER.
W. |, NJ. burgess.