Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/146

 140 Southern Historical Society Papers.

showed no disposition to bring on the general engagement, which was so confidently expected. It was still raining. After remaining in line of battle till u o'clock, all of the troops were withdrawn and fell back within the breastworks.

June sth. Our pickets were posted in the woods, between the Presbyterian church and Grimball's, the line being perpendicular to the road and extending north towards Dill's House and south towards Secessionville. The line crossed the road between the forks and Giimball's. A reserve was kept at the forks of the road, and some- times a larger reserve at the church. To day the detail from the Eutaws consisted of a detachment of the Ripley Guards, commanded by Lieutenant F. J. Lesesne. The rest of the pickets in our front were a detachment from Colonel Stevens' regiment. The enemy ad- vanced, and a brisk skirmish ensued. Stevens' men gave way ; Lesesne, with his command, held the enemy in check. The detach- ment from Colonel Stevens' regiment rallied and returned to the fight. Mistaking Lesesne's men for the enemy, they opened fire on them. They were for awhile under two fires. Succeeding first in driving off the enemy, Lesesne displayed his handkerchief on the end of his sword and surrendered, with his command, to his friends. Private Isaac Browder was slightly wounded. No other casualties.

June 8th. Whole battalion went out for picket duty this morning. Colonel Simonton and five companies remained at the cross-roads with Preston's battery. I was posted with four companies at and below the Presbyterian church. The enemy were discovered upon taking our post, but soon disappeared. Spent a part of the night at the Presbyterian church and the balance below the church, towards Grimball's, at the forks of the road. About daylight our advance pickets were pushed further down the road towards the camp of the enemy, which was at Grimball's. In making the movement Private Brown, of the Wee Nees, had a narrow escape. The squad that he was with on the road came suddenly on about thirty of the enemy's pickets. The enemy fired and fell back. Brown's rifle missed fire. Three balls were put through his clothing. Private Meredith, of the Edisto Rifles, had a shot and thinks he killed an officer.

June gth. We were relieved about half past 10 o'clock A. M. by the Louisiana battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel McHenry. Soon after returning to camp, the Eutaws were again ordered out, and took post behind the breastworks. This was done to be ready for a possible attack, which a movement about to be made by the Forty- seventh Georgia might provoke. This movement was a reconnoisance