Twenty men landed on Seabrook Island from the gunboat, who carried off lumber from their old encampment. They remained on shore about two hours. Respectfully, Capt. J. H. PEARCE. JOHN JENKINS, Major, Commanding, &c. DECEMBER 30, 1863.—Skirmish near Saint Augustine, Fla. REPORTS. No. 1.-Col. Francis A. Osborn, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry. No. 1. Report of Col. Francis A. Osborn, Twenty-fourth Masssachusetts Infantry. HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Saint Augustine, Fla., January 1, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to report the particulars of a skirmish which took place at this post, under the following circum stances: During the past month it has been necessary to send the woodchoppers about 2 miles outside the lines to procure fire-wood, the supply within the lines having become exhausted. At first, having learned from my scouts that there were no rebel forces east of the Saint John's River, I furnished them with a guard of only 10 men. About three weeks ago, however, I heard rumors that some cavalry were expected to cross the river very soon for conscripts and deserters, and I accordingly increased the guard to 30 men, requiring the 20 choppers to carry arms also, making 50 armed_men, which, after careful consideration, I deemed an ample force. I constantly sent out scouts to ascertain whether the enemy had crossed the river, intending, if he should come in this neighborhood, to go out and attack him. On Wednesday morning (30th ultimo), one of the scouts came in and reported to me that he could find no indications of any cavalry in the vicinity. On that very morning, however, the guard, which was moving cautiously out to its position, with an advance thrown out, was suddenly attacked by a party on their right and front, who had been lying concealed in the low palmetto shrubs with which the whole country is covered, and which furnishes such perfect concealment that a man might pass within 20 feet of such a party and never suspect its presence. The guard halted, faced toward the enemy; and prepared to return the fire, when they received another volley from a corresponding position on the left of the line of march. This, unfortunately, dangerously wounded Lieut. Oliver H. Walker, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, who was in charge of the party, which threw them into some confusion. At this moment a body of cavalry was seen on each flank, riding rapidly to get into their rear. This increased the disorder caused by the loss of their officer, and they commenced falling back. In doing this, having about 2 miles to go before they reached the outposts, and being closely pursued by the cavalry, they became somewhat scattered, and lost 24 men taken prisoners. News of this affair having been brought to me on brigade drill, in less than an hour after I received the report of the scout mentioned above, I immediately went out with the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, but the enemy had gone. As they had two hours the start of me, I did not pursue them. If I had had a company of cavalry, I am confident I could have overtaken them, and not only have rescued my own men, but also have captured some besides, for from their trail they were mounted on small horses. I deeply regret to report such an unsatisfactory result of this affair, but I impute it all to the unfortunate circumstances of Lieutenant Walker's being wounded. Had he remained unhurt, I am confident that he would have beaten the enemy off, for he is a brave and skillful officer, and had his men well in hand when he fell. I am grieved to say that his wound is considered a very serious one by the surgeon in attendance. The loss of the enemy is not known, as they carried off all their dead and wounded. I append a list of casualties in my command.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. A. OSBORN, Colonel Twenty-fourth Mass. Vols., Comdg. Post. Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, Chief of Staff, Department of the South. No. 2. Report of Capt. J. J. Dickison, Second Florida Cavalry. EXTRACT FROM JOURNAL OF OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, S. C. On the 29th instant, crossed on east side of the Saint John's River, with detachments from Companies C and H, Second Florida Cavalry, consisting of 68 privates, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 2 lieutenants, and marched to vicinity of Saint Augustine. Arriving at Fort Peaton same night, he posted pickets at all the roads leading to the city. At 3 o'clock next morning marched for Hurlbut's place, crossing above the bridge, and placed his men from 300 to 400 yards from the bridge on the road leading to the Fairbanks. About 9 the enemy made their appearance, and their advance guard had passed part of our force, when they discovered our horses placed in the rear under cover of a swamp. Captain Dickison demanded a surrender, to which they replied by firing into Company H, which then charged. Company C now opened fire upon the main force of the enemy, who, after firing one or two rounds, retreated. Our men mounted, and charged most gallantly, capturing 24 prisoners and wounding 6-3 mortally, left on the field. One of the wounded was a lieutenant, who was paroled on the field. The others could not be found, having concealed themselves in the thick scrub * Not found. 48 R R VOL XXVIII, PT I of the hillocks. Some of the men were captured inside of the enemy's lines. Captain Dickison also secured 21 Springfield and Enfield rifles, 21 cartridge-boxes and accouterments, containing 30 rounds each, and 1 sword. Lieutenant [W. H.] McCardell, Lieutenant [Samuel C.] Reddick, and men are reported to have acted most gallantly. The strength of the enemy in the engagement (as reported by the wounded lieutenant) was 60 men. They had four wagons in the rear for hauling wood which they had cut, but they were so far behind that they made good their escape. GENERAL ORDERS, No. 1. HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST FLORIDA, I. The brigadier-general commanding has again the pleasure of calling the attention of the troops in this district to another brilliant exploit of Capt. J. J. Dickison, with Lieutenants McCardell and Reddick, and detachment of Companies C and H, of the Second Regiment of Florida Cavalry. This little force, on the morning of the 30th ultimo, made an attack on a superior force of the enemy, and even within the limits of their own lines not only defeated them, but captured 24, and killed and wounded 6, including their commanding officer, and secured all their arms and accouterments, and without any casualties to our own men. Were this the first of these achievements, their success might be attributed, by those ignorant of these gallant men, to chance or circumstances, but time and again have these men been the subject of praise from their district commander, and their many acts of heroism evince how easy it is for willing and resolute men to annoy and injure our enemy. II. For his gallantry on the occasion, the sword captured in the fight will be presented to Sergeant [J. S.] Poer, of Captain Dickison's company, and with it he will receive the thanks of the whole people of the district, for there are none, however craven, who do not love to honor brave men. By order of Brigadier-General Finegan, commanding: APPENDIX. Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Terry, U. S. Army, of engagement near Grimball's Landing, James Island, S. C., July 16, 1863. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, TENTH CORPS, James Island, S. C., July 16, 1863. * MAJOR: This morning at about 4 o'clock, the enemy made an attack upon the forces under my command and upon the vessels of war in the Stono River. They first brought down into the woods near Grimball's what I suppose to have been two field batteries, and opened fire upon the Pawnee. Immediately thereafter they advanced four regiments of infantry, accompanied by artillery, upon the right of my line, drove in the outposts and supports, and commenced a severe fire from their guns. At the same time, a strong body of infantry and cavalry, with a battery, drove in our outposts on the left beyond the causeway leading to Grimball's, and attempted to debouch in front of my left. My troops were speedily under arms, and as soon as the pickets were in, I opened on the enemy from Rockwell's battery and the armed transports Mayflower and John Adams. The naval vessels also opened a most effective fire upon my left. The enemy, unable to endure the concentric fire to which they were exposed. fell back, and retreated. I have now re-established my outposts on the old ground. I learn from prisoners now in my hands that the attacking force on my right consisted of the Sixth, Nineteenth, Fifty-fourth, and Fifty-sixth Georgia Regiments; that on my left of North Carolina and perhaps South Carolina troops. I have as yet no detailed report of casualties, but I think our loss is about 50 killed and wounded. I desire to express my obligations to Captain Balch, U. S. Navy, commanding the naval forces in the river, for the very great assistance he rendered to me, and to report to the commanding general the good services of Captain Rockwell and his battery, and the steadiness and soldierly conduct of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, who were on duty at the outposts on the right, and met the brunt of the attack. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. E. W. SMITH, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the South. *See Gillmore's reference to this report, p. 201; and other reports of the engage ment, p. 581. |