The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-08-02
THE BATTLE OF DINGLE's MILL.

rter gives the following interesting account
Of one Of the last and most daring battles
in the late war:
The month Of February, 1865, was full
of anxiety for the people in the lower por-
tion Of South Carolina. Sherman had en-
tered the State from Georgia, and already,
the glare of burning homes lit up the mid
night sky and marked the track Of his army.
About this time Potters Division left
Georgetown and commenced its march, pass
ing through Clarendon, Sumter and Kcr-
shaw Counties and OH into North Carolina.
This force numbered some 49, 900 troops of
all arms. There was literally nobody to op-
pose them and they advanced lcisurcly.
For several days the good people of Man
ming had been in fovcr Of excitement
All sorts of rumors filled the air. The old
men and boys got out Of the way, the wo-
men and children were scared out Of their
wits. At last the long expected dreaded
day came and the Yankees were approach
ing the devoted little village. 1t was on
Sunday On that morning two Confede-
rate scouts (both now liying,) stopped at a
friends house to rest while, giving their
horses i'll charge of a trusty negro, wi.h in-
structions to bring them up on Hthe first
alarm.
Early in the afternoon an alarm was
raised way down the street, and there came
the negro with the horses full tilt, hotly
pursued by dozen Or so "bluc coats" He
managed to get them to the gate, where
one of the scouts was waiting for him, and
vaultinG into the saddle in the very teeth
of the Yankees he was off in twink
ling. lie was hotly pursued, and had many
shots fired at him. One of his pursucrs,
an officer, got in short range of him and
ordered him to surrender. The scout, with
one glance over his shoulder, quickly turned
in his saddle and brought his carbinc to
bear. "A flash and report Immediately fol-
lowed, and the officer tumblcd from his
horse and lay dead in the street. The ball
entered his mouth and passed through his
brain. At his fall the troops way in the
rear shouted, "Wc'vc killed one ID rcb-
el ~ but when they came up and found ,rhn
was killed, bitter imprccations burst from
them and they sworc they would be re-
venged. The dead officer was carried to
the residence Of Mr., Blakcly, prepared for
burial, and was buried in that gentleman
flower garden, and and to-day he is still
there sleeping his last sleep. His name
was Jones Pratt, lieutenant in Pottcr's
army. The Yanks left Manning early
next morning-but they left it in ashes-a
heap Of smoking, smoudcring ruins.
Sixteen miles above Manning, in Sumter
County, there is a little mill pond known as
"Dingc's Mill" The stream is crossed by
a very narrow causcway, about hundred
and fifty yards long. Here some five hun
dred Confedcratcs-old men, beardless boys
and convalesccnt soldiers-dctorminc to
dispute the ground with the overwhelming
thousands. Well, they did it, and this is
about how it was done:
There was young soldier there from
Louisiana by the name of Pampereau. lie
had one heavy tields piece, and this he
placed in such a position as to rake the
causcway. At the same time the gun was
concealed from view. The Yankees had
no idea there was any one to oppose them,
the Confedcratcs being concealed by the
hugo cypress trees and underground, and
behind Il rail fence, just on the edge of the
swamp. The Yankees soon came on and
struck the causcway. Pampcreau waited
until lhCJ NClC ppluJ Dl'thh TdIgc, lnOll
opened on them. That discharge OF grape
played havoc with the head of the adyanc-
ing column, and so completely were the
enemy taken by surprise that they retreated
instantly. The Confederates were pouring
a CALLING fire Of muskctry into them from
all sides. Very soon the Yankee cannon
began to roar, the shells and balls came fast
and furious, but all too high. The gunncrs
never did get the range.
The Yankees now found what small
force was opposed to them, and deploying
on each side Of the causcway, after great
difficulty and loss of life, managed to get
through the Doggy swamp, and took the lit
tic force in flank, pouring fearful fire into
them as they came into the open field
They fought bravely, but were soon over
come and had to retreat the best way they
could The battle of Dinglcs Mill was
over.
The Yankees lost upwards Of hundred
aud fifty killed and wounded. The Cons
lcderatcs some thirteen killed and twenty
wounded. Here died the brave Pampercau,
fighting his gun to tho last. His manglcd
body was found beneath his gun, showing
how he had died. have often wondered
if his family, away down in Louisiana, have
over known how he died.
Here, too, fell the gallant young Nc