Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/559

Rh that place. Transports for several days past seen going out of Stono. Gunboats in the river off Grimball's.

July 7.—Major William Duncan, First regiment South Carolina Volunteers, narrowly escaped being made prisoner by a party of the enemy at the large work thrown up between Rivers's burnt house and the Stono; party probably from gunboats. Enemy withdrawn from Legare's.

July 8.—Enemy known to have altogether abandoned James Island, and our city to be safe for the present.

, Bratton's Brigade, January 1st, 1865.

In compliance with orders I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this brigade since the battle of the Wilderness, 6th May, 1864. The morning of the 7th May found the brigade in line of battle on the right of and perpendicular to the plank road, along the ridge that had been so hotly contested on the morning before. A crude breastwork of logs was thrown up, and we remained in this position until about nine o'clock P. M., when orders to move came. Skirmishing was more or less brisk all day; our loss was eight or ten men wounded. We moved in accordance with orders across the railroad, by the Catharpin road to Spotsylvania Court-house, and arrived, in the vicinity on the next morning (the 8th instant) at about ten o'clock, to find the enemy's cavalry in possession of and between us and the courthouse.

My brigade formed on the right of the road, and moved down to the court-house, the enemy retiring before us, and abandoning the place without a fight. We then changed front to the left and moved up ———— road to the Brock road, where Kershaw and Humphries's brigades were fighting. I took position on the right of Kershaw's brigade, where a much needed rest of two or three hours was enjoyed, when the enemy was discovered advancing upon us. This attack, which was probably only a reconnoisance, was easily repulsed with only a loss of two or three to us, but of from forty to fifty to them. In a short time, however, they advanced in two lines, directing their attack to my right, where they supposed there was no force to oppose them. Humphries's brigade and Rodes's division were thrown in just in time to meet them on the extension of my line, my right regiment (the P. S. S., under