Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/46

 40 Southern Historical Society Fetters.

tims. The health of the regiment gradually improved, and by the middle of October our sick list was very much diminished. Upon the approach of frost the fever disappeared almost entirely. The health of the regiment became good.

October ly, 1862. — Colonel Simonton took my place on the Board of Examiners, and I took command of the regiment.

October 2 2d. — Wednesday. Received orders about 4 o'clock this afternoon to have the regiment at the depot of the Charleston and Savannah railroad. It was reported that the enemy had advanced from Port Royal Ferry, and had captured the railroad. We soon had our haversacks filled with "hard tack" and bacon and were at the depot. Here we were met by Colonel Simonton, who had been temporarily relieved from duty on the Board of Examination to en- able him to accompany the expedition. The Forty-sixth Georgia regiment, Colonel P. H. Colquit, was also there awaiting transpor- tation to the scene of action. The Twenty-fifth South Carolina and Forty-sixth Georgia were embarked on the same train. Colonel Col- quit was the ranking officer with our part of the expedition. Colonel C. H. Stevens, with his regiment and a battery of artillery, were on a train which followed ours. We were all night on the cars, though the distance was but sixty-three miles to Pocataligo, the point of our destination. The report that the railroad was in the possession of the enemy seemed to be confirmed by the fact that we could get no communication with Pocataligo by telegraph. This made it necessary for us to proceed very cautiously, sending the engine ahead to recon- noitre and having it return for the train after passing over a few miles. The train, which consisted mostly of open platform cars, was very long and crowded. We had no room for our horses, and the field and staff were consequently afoot when the end of the journey was reached.

October 2jd. — We arrived at the station after daylight and marched at once to the scene of the conflict of yesterday, which was at a place called " Old Pocataligo," about two miles from the railroad. The enemy showed no disposition to renew the fight, and had fallen back towards their gunboats, leaving their dead unburied. General Terry was in command of the Federal forces, which greatly outnumbered the Confederates, who were compelled to fall back before the enemy till Old Pocataligo whs reached. The fight at this place was across a marsh, from three to four hundred yards wide. The Confederates tore up the bridge on the causeway, and took position on the edge of the marsh in a grove of live-oak trees and in some old buildings.