The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-02
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What0u Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
PoCoTALIGo EXPEDITION.
Fighting in south Carolina Swamps under Din
entities.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: An expedition
was dispatched from Hilton Head, 5. C., on
Thursday. Oct 81, 1862, 20 Mckey's Point, 5.
c.. at the juncture of the Broad and Pocotaligo
Rivers, 20 miles from the mouth of Broad
River for the purpose Of penetrating inland
IS Ear as possible 10 endcavor to destroy the
Charleston and Savannah Railroad aud the
railroad bridge at Coosawhatchie. Although the
destruction of the bridge was not accomplished,
the expedition was not entirely without Im-
portaut results, aud cannot be said 20 be
failure.
The force employed consisted Of nine gun
boats under command Of Capt. Charles Stead
man, L. 5. y, and seven transports carrying
troops.
The land forces consisted of $500 men, COM
manded by Brig.-Gen. James NJ. Brannan, and
was composed as follows: 47th Pa, 400 men,
Col Good; 55th Pa. 400 men, Col. White;
4th n. H., COO men, Col. Bell; 9th Conn, 500
men. Licut-Col. John Spidell, making the
First Brigade, under command of Col. Chat
field, 9th Conn; 10th Pa, 400 men, Col. Straw
bridge; 9Th Conn, SOC men, Col. Hawley;
Sd ". H., $50 men, Col. Jackson; Sd X. l.,
800 men, Col. Brum, composing the Second
Brigade, and under the command of Brig
Gen. Alfred II. Terry. Three hundred men
Of the LIST n. Y. Eng, under command of Col.
I. w. Scwell, accompanied the expedition.
There was also in addition 10 this force bat
terry Of four l0-pounder PARROTS, under com
mRnd of Lieut. Henry, U. S. A, and three
hOwitzers from the frigate Wabash.
The expedition sailed soon after midnight,
and the troops were all landed the next morn
ing at Mckey's Point, with the exception of
800 men of the 4Sth y. Y, under command of
Col. Barton together with so men of the Sd
i. I. Art and 50 men of the lst n Y. Eng.
who proceeded on transport TO the mouth Of
the Coosawhatcbie River.
Capt. Gray, Of the 9Th n. H, with small
force OF men in boats, had been sent during the
night 20 surprise and capture the rebel pckets
stationed al McKey's Point. He failed 70 nc
complish his purpose, and the pickets fed TO
give alarm Of orr approach.
This rendered Gen. BTRnnan anxious TO push
forward before the rebels could muster sufficient
force TO Illustrate his designs. The next morn
ing cur forces commenced to land at McKeys
Point, and by 10 o'clock the troops were all on
the march, following Gen. Brannan, who
IN the advance. The day was fine and the
roads good Our progress was slow, frequent
stoppages being made while the scouts recon
noitered In front
The greater part of our march was through
cottOn-felds Overgrown with weeds and tall
grass. The country through which we passed.
and the few houses we saw, appeared utterly
deserted; everything appeared dead and going
TO decay; not human being was to be seen nor
living animal 10 give animation TO the dreary
landscape
After three hours marching we had pene-
trated only five miles into the country, when
upon emerging from piece Of woods into an
open space, fire was opened upon our advance
BY rebel battery IN good position and hidden
by the tall rank grass which fringed the road.
The 9th Pa, Col. Good which was in the
advance, Immediately formed in line, aud after
delivering a well-dirccied yolley, charged upon
the battery. cheering in gallant style, while
the 9TH n. H., Col. Bell, deployed On either
side Es skiTmishers. The rebels made but a
RI &. sud - IT, r1s
Ence 70 the woods in their rear, where they
took up still stronger position.
Here, protected by the trees and thick brush.
and having IN their favor all the advantages OF
the ground and position, they made bold and
determined stand, but they were soon obliged
20 give way before the impetuous bravery Of
our troops, who again charged upon them and
drove them slowly before them. While retreat
ing they kept Up a brisk and continuous firing
taking advantage OF every good position for
artillery, while their sharpshOoteFs, protected
by the trees and their knowledge Of the ground
kept up an irregular but harassing fire Of
musketry.
Our troops successfully charging upon them
and disiodging them in this way, drove them
distance OF nearly four miles 10 a bridge which
crosses the POcOtaligO River but short dis
lance from village Of the came name. the
rebels ooEgecly cOntesting every inch Of the
ground. Here they managed TO make good
bridge after them. thus rendering the passage
Of the river, which, though narrow, is about -
feet deep, impracticable 10 our troops, the OPP
p0site shore being steep aud high. Offering pc
culiar advantages, and they were able to hold
their position until Teinforcements came TO
their assistance.
The shrill whistle Of the locomotive was
heard amid the booming Of cannon. the burst
ing 0! shells and the rattle Of the musketry. and
~ cars loaded with troops were seen coming
Into the village Of Pocotaligo only short dis
tsnce beyond the scene, Of the conflict The
Tebeis were reinforced, but our troops held
their ground Hitk admirable bravery until
nightfall, and when their ammunition was
nearly al expended they we're ordered 10 re-
treat
This they did by degrees and in excellent
order, taking with them the dead and wounded.
which, on account Of the want Of ambulances
OF other means Of transportation, were carried
OF On stFeichers 10 the point Of debarkation, a
distance Of nearly eight miles.
The 44ih ia. and the 9TH Conn. covered the
retreat, and displayed uudauuted heTOism and
bravery. The 18th Pa. being in the rear,
suffered The most, but their excellent behavior
on the field drew forth general admiration.
Tie 9Th Conn. and 10Th Pa also acted with ex-
ceeding bravery and GOODNESS. The Sd " H.,
though not actively participating in the en-.
gagement, were under hot fire and deportcd
themselves with GOODNESS. The retreat WAS
made IN excellent order, and reflected credit
not only On the troops but also on Gen. Bran.
man.
The rear guard did not leave the field until
midnight, and reached McKey's Point toward
morning. At daylight the troops were en-
barked under cover Of the gunboats, the
wounded being the first 70 receive attention.
During the eInbarkation the rebel pickets
made their appearance in the edge Of the woods
in the rear, but were soon driven back by few
shells from the guubOats, and the troops en-
barlled in good order.
We are unable 10 state with certainty the
strength Of the enemy but from deserters am
inclined 70 think the forces first engaged con.
sisted Of about J 900 men, with strong battery
o. not less than three pieces Of artillery and a
small force Of cavalry. This force however
was subsequently, reinforced by at least 3 500
fresh troops. Oar loss in killed and wounded
was scveIe-40 were killed, Z54 wounded and
five missing
During the progress Of the operations IL
NcKcy's Point, Col. Barton, Of the 18th n. Y
and 300 men, likewise 80 men Of the I'd r. /.
Art, under Capt. Gould, aud 90 men Of the Ist
n. T. Ing under Capt Eaton, landed on the
let bank Of the Coosawhatchie River within
two mlics OF the village Of CoOsaWbatchie with
the intention Of creating d diversion az this
point and destroying the railroad bridge across
tbe river. They were accompanied several
miles up the river By the gunboats PATRON and
Uncas.
Having landed HE small force. together
with one small hoWitzer, Col Barton made bis
way through the woods 10 the main road and