them there. There was no time or opportunity to attempt any ambuscade or movement of finesse. I accompanied Colonel Harris and Major Jenkins in front, and in an hour we found the enemy had fled, leaving their dead along the way, obstructing the roads, and burning the houses and bridge at the Haulover; and we found that there they had constructed a redoubt and converted a long ditch bank into a good line of breast-works. Thus ended their three days' incursion. The accompanying rough sketch* will give you a general idea of the field of operations. The maps of John's Island are extremely inaccurate, and a good one ought to be prepared. I have received as yet no reports of casualties. Major Jenkins lost some 13 men, to wit, Captain Humphrey's company of cavalry (the Cadets), 9-2 killed, 3 wounded, and 4 prisoners. Captain Humphrey himself wounded in two places, but here in the hospital doing well. In all Stono Scouts. 10 1 Jennett's company, Fifty-ninth Virginia Volunteers, killed (1), wounded (2), and captured (1).. 4 Total loss on Tuesday, 9th. 15 Our loss on Wednesday, 10th, none. Our loss on Thursday, 11th (Twenty-sixth Virginia Volunteers), wounded..... 2 17 Grand total. . . . . . Of the enemy, 4 bodies were found along the road, and some 4 or 5 were found buried. We also found the buried bodies of our dead, and have sent them to their families. We buried the enemy's dead. From the account of the last prisoner which fell into our hands their whole loss was, killed, 14; wounded, 15; captured, 5; total, 34. We found 3 of their horses killed. Captain Humphrey's horse was killed and Major Jenkins' wounded. Light as the casualties are, there is a high roll of merit. Major Jenkins cannot be commended too highly for his conduct of the defense until he was re-enforced. He had but few men, and though he lost but 15 out of 150, it was not because he did not lead them into the thickest of danger. He at once repaired the surprise of his pickets and fought so closely and managed so masterly as to make the enemy think him strong. He maintained his ground until we could save the island. He deserves promotion, and I ask it for him. So also does Captain Humphrey. He was devotedly daring, and dashed upon ten times his number; was first in the fight and last out of it. And Major Jenkins speaks in high terms of Captain Jennett and his company. Some few of both Humphrey's and Jennett's companies straggled, but they are marked. All of the officers and men behaved well under my eye. General Colquitt, with the Georgia troops and the officers and men of the Fifty-ninth, Twenty-sixth, Fourth, and Forty-sixth Virginia Volunteers; the cavalry, commanded by Captain Whilden, and the artillery, exceeded my expectations in their promptitude in bringing up re-enforcements. My total effective force on the evening of the 11th on the ground was 1,850 infantry, two batteries of artillery, and about 100 cavalry. The force of the enemy was 2,000 at least, with a reserve of 300 at the Haulover. They had [been] re-enforced on Tuesday night. *Not found. Finding that they had entirely left for their gun-boats and Kiawah Island, I ordered all my forces, except a strong picket, back to Fripp's, and there relieved General Colquitt. He went on immediately to Rantowles for Savannah. My own troops, all except Major Jenkins' command and the companies of the Fifty-ninth Virginia Volunteers, I ordered to return to their camps and works. I left Colonel Tabb with Major Jenkins to construct some rifle-pits at the Haulover which Colonel Harris laid out. Colonel Tabb's command was retained for these works at the request of Major Jenkins, and will be relieved as soon as they are completed. I have ordered your note of congratulation to be announced to the troops of my command, and we regret only that we did not do more to deserve your approbation, which, I assure you, sir, is very grateful to us all. As soon as detailed official reports are sent in they shall be forwarded. The delay is owing to the scattered condition of my command. With the highest respect and esteem, I am, general, your obedient servant, HENRY A. WISE, Brigadier-General, Commanding, &c. General G. T. BEAUREGARD, Commanding, &c. [Indorsement.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 17, 1864. Respectfully forwarded, for information of War Department. On being informed on 9th instant that the enemy had appeared in force on John's Island and attacked Major Jenkins' force, stationed to guard the approach from Seabrook Island, via Haulover Causeway, I suspended the orders issued 8th instant, sending General Colquitt's brigade to Savannah en route for Florida, directing three and a half of his regiments, still awaiting transportation, to repair by shortest route to the assistance of General Wise, then on John's Island. This order was obeyed with great alacrity, and these troops arrived in time to re-enforce General Wise at the critical moment, but at too late an hour and too much fatigued to permit a vigorous pursuit of the enemy. Meanwhile my chief engineer, Colonel Harris, had been sent to report to General Wise for such services as from his experience he might render. General Wise was also ordered by telegraph to ambuscade the enemy if practicable. On the evening of the 10th instant, having been informed that the enemy was still in force (about seven regiments, or 4,000 men) on John's Island, in position in advance of the Haulover Causeway, and wishing to get rid of him as soon as practicable to permit General Colquitt to resume his journey to Savannah and Florida, and having strong reasons to believe from the statements of prisoners that to organize that expedition the enemy had withdrawn troops from Morris and Folly Islands, I determined to make a diversion in favor of General Wise by ordering all the harbor batteries bearing on Morris Island to open vigorously for one and a half hours at 2 o'clock next morning, as though preceding an attack in force with infantry. General Wise was also telegraphed to that effect, that he might be prepared to take advantage of any unusual movement of the enemy in his front. But the enemy retired, however, so cau tiously that it was not until daylight that his withdrawal was discovered. For fear, however, that the enemy might be determined to hold a permanent footing on John's Island, I ordered on 12th instant (see orders) one regiment from James Island and one regiment from Sullivan's Ísland, together with two batteries (four 8-inch seacoast howitzers and two 32-pounder Parrotts of the siege train on James Island), to be sent forthwith to the assistance of General Wise, to be crossed over from Fort Pemberton by a small steamer which had been mean time ordered into the Stono for the purpose of communicating freely with John's Island. While these troops were en route, information having reached these headquarters that the enemy had retired from John's and Seabrook Islands, they were recalled. Special attention is called to the well-deserved compliments paid by General Wise to Major Jenkins and Captain Humphrey, who are fully entitled to promotion by their resolute gallantry. The former has shown himself a most reliable officer, who has already more than once attracted my attention by his judgment, promptness, and efficiency. He has infused into his small force that confidence which has much increased its usefulness and gallantry. General Wise's promptness in ordering to the front to oppose the enemy all his disposable troops, and his conduct in repairing in person to the post of danger, meets with my cordial approval. His firmness in confronting the foe at every available point until Colquitt's troops arrived to his support deserves high commendation. With such alacrity, determination, and daring the enemy can never gain a great or permanent advantage over us, and must in the end retire discomfited to the barren sand-banks and islands in his possession. G. T. BEAUREGARD, [Inclosure No. 1.] Adams' Run, February 9, 1864. Brigadier-General JORDAN, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: Major Jenkins reports that the enemy advanced from Seabrook Island this morning about daybreak, in force about five to his one, and are constantly pressing him back. They are using artillery. Most of our wounded are left on the field. Captain Humphrey wounded in two places. I ordered Fifty-ninth and Twenty-sixth to re-enforce instantly, posting a strong guard at John's Island Ferry. Have sent all of my reserve cavalry and Charles' battery; Parker's already there." Respectfully, HENRY A. WISE, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 2.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, and FLORIDA, Brig. Gen. HENRY A. WISE, Charleston, S. C., February 9, 1864. Comdg. Sixth Military District, Adams' Run: Your dispositions are approved. It is probably a reconnaissance in force of enemy. Colquitt will keep three regiments in reserve at Saint Andrew's Depot until 12 m. to-morrow. G. T. BEAUREGARD. [Inclosure No. 3.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 9, 1864. Brigadier-General TALIAFERRO, Comdg. Seventh Mil. Dist., Royall's, James Island: Suspend movement of Colquitt's brigade for the present. Only let two regiments go to Savannah. By command of General Beauregard : JNO. M. OTEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 4.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. HENRY A. WISE, Comdg. Sixth Mil. Dist., Fripp's House, John's Island: Enemy's force opposed to you represented by prisoners largely composed of recruits and drafted men. Can they not be ambuscaded successfully by selecting good position for that object, then ostentatiously falling back with main body until proper point, when turn and attack front and flank? [Inclosure No. 5.] G. T. BEAUREGARD. HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. R. S. RIPLEY, Comdg. First Military District, Mount Pleasant: Commanding general wants a good, strong regiment of infantry from your command sent via James Ísland and Fort Pemberton to support of General Wise, Fripp's house. Cannot you send Keitt's regiment (four days' rations), to move at night? [Inclosure No. 6.] THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff. HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. W. B. TALIAFERRO, Commanding Seventh Military District: Send one of Hagood's regiments to Fripp's house, John's Island, via Fort Pemberton, as soon as possible, with three days' provisions, light marching order, and necessary amount of ammunition. THOMAS JORDAN, [Inclosure No. 7.] Chief of Staff. HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Brig. Gen. HENRY A. WISE, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Comdg. Sixth Military District, John's Island: Two more regiments will be sent you to Fripp's house. They will be there probably this night. THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff. [Inclosure No. 8.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. W. B. TALIAFERRO, Comdg. Seventh Mil. Dist., James Island: Hold the siege train in readiness to be sent via Fort Pemberton, with four days' subsistence and proper amount of ammunition, to General Wise, on his requisition, to Fripp's house, John's Island. THOMAS JORDAN, [Inclosure No. 9.] Chief of Staff. HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. W. B. TALIAFERRO, Comdg. Seventh Mil. Dist., Royall's, James Island: Order for a portion of the siege train to be sent to General Wise countermanded. Acknowledge dispatch. By command of General Beauregard : JNO. M. OTEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 10.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., February 12, 1864. Brig. Gen. W. B. TALIAFERRO, Comdg. Seventh Mil. Dist., Royall's, James Island: The order for the movement of the Twenty-first South Carolina Volunteers is countermanded. Acknowledge dispatch. By command of General Beauregard : JNO. M. OTEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 11.] HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, February 12, 1864. Mount Pleasant: Brig. Gen. R. S. RIPLEY, The order for the movement of the Seventeenth South Carolina Volunteers is countermanded. Acknowledge dispatch. By command of General Beauregard : JNO. M. OTEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 34. Reports of Brig. Gen. William B. Taliaferro, C. S. Army, commanding Seventh Military District, of operations April 8-October 15. HDQRS. 7TH MIL. DIST., DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA., James Island, S. C., April 9, 1864. CAPTAIN: I telegraphed for the information of the commanding general last night that the enemy were making certain demonstrations along my line. I now more fully state the circumstances. |