The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-09-10

| Two other men and myself were standing o
picket in this clump Of pines, while two of ou
officers rode down to the beach. Away dow
the inlet we saw the white smoke rise from a
1ron-clad gunboat. 1t turned its bow and cam
putting towards us. The officers were in n di
rect line between US and the gunboat. On j
| came, followed by two others The smoke aros
In graceful columns aud marked the pathwa,
Of the vessels amid the clouds Away in tn
background we could sec the ma.ts of IN,
transports. The scene was sublime. Eacl
boat turned obliquely to the right from tn,
| path Of the one in front. a puff of smoke
| from the front boat was followed bya report
and in an instant q shell burst over our heads
Instantly another, and another salated-uu,
ears. The vessel in front turned one side and
| as quick as thought the whole vessel was hid
in smoke. When school boy had often sat
and looked at the pictures of naval battles and
admired the grandeur they presented. But
this was no shadow, it was the substance.
This was more than we could stand. and n
hasty retreat to our horses was next in order.
Our horses were behind the little knoll on which
we were standing. BY this time all the boats
had come up and were taking part in reducing
our battery. had a seven shooter. and os I
ran back to my horse it fell and my foot struck
1T and knocked it into the bushes and had to
stop to hunt for it. The shells flew thick and
fast. The pine tops rocked amid the fiery blast
Our battery was hid in smoke The sun that n
few minutes before shone Gin all its splendor
was veiled in smoke. got my pistol, however.
The enemy we're training their guns on our.
battery. Our gun was disabled. Behind the
sand hill we remained until the firing ceased on
the part Of the gunboats One of the boats
had passed us aud had gone up the river and
began SheIing the woodland. We mounted
our horses and rode back to our pickets. only to
hnd them i'll 4 state of citemcut but eyerv
man was at his post. \ dozen or so of the
tederals landed and came to the house formerly
occupied by our pickcts as headquarters. They
were under the protection of the gunboat all
the time they were on shore. A body of troops
had landed at White Point and come out as far
as our battery. 1t was now necessary to find
out the full particulars before an official report
was sent to headquarters. To do this two men
were sent back far az the uu1ff ~ rhe
Point, where they ran into the enemy's scouts
ana were fired upon by them. This ended one
OF the most stirring events which took place
on White Point during our stay there except.
bushed shT rsi f0ms Upon ~ inc enemy yers a@
After this the gunboat lay near the shore
so near that at night we coull hear the voices
of those on board. At every hour through the
night We could hear the bell ring and the SEN
tincl cry out "alls we'll besides, he would
give the hour. All tho Islands were now in
the hands OF the enemy, except Jehosse, and it
was Of their mercy.
We stayed about ;wo months at camp Walsh.
We had plenty Of sugar and drank sassafras
tea three times day, and eat rice until We
were tired out on it. AS a sanitary prccaution
we novel our encampmcnt every month or
two.
We moved to camp Taylor, about two miles
from camp Walsh. Here we remained until
the Spring had fairly opened. During our
stay here the Confederatcs concluded to all
vance their line and occupy Jchossc Island.
This Island was the property Of ex-Gov. Aikcn.
His negro houses formed little town. with Il
church building, for his servants to worship in.
\ broad and nicely laid of street ran from his
summer to his winter house. In fact, it wa.
q beautiful place. a few Of his slaves remained
on the Island. Jehosse was separated from
Elisto Island by Watts cut. Our pickcts took
possession of Jchossc about the first OF March
1862. They would frequently exchange sho,'
with the Fcdcras. We would send scouts over
on Elis,o and by q series of Skirmishcs kcci
them annoyed. It. Bates, of the Infantry
and myself, with another man, went on
scout Just after our lines had been advanced t,
Watts cut. We advanced on the house occu
pied by the Federal pickcts They ran off OF
cur approach. We inspected the premises ant
the general surroundings. took a tour round by
| little EdiSto Island. and returned to our pick
cts. We had scarcely reached our line bcfor
the Federal Infantry came in sight. One com
| l,any came up, formed line, ana with thci
long ranged guns gave us vollcy We had
| few men at the post who made ready 10 receiv
them. Several shots were exchanged Gu
guns were not sufficient to reach them, 90 W
lay down and waited for them to come up W
held the Island.
We run q large "lightcr into the cut on
night while the tide was up, turned it aero.
the cut, and this formed bridge. Watt CT
was canal about 40 feet wide, which separate
Johossc from Big Elisto Island
On the 29th Of March our troops made
rail on big Eliso and offered the Fedora
n .'ptclcl' battle. We had no convcuci
way of getting our horses across, 50 we volu
tccrrl 10 rD on foot -, men with orr con
pany officers, went from the "McKisSick RAJ
gers and about the same number from each
the other companies. On tho evening of Il