Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/148

 142 Southern Historical Society Papers.

General N. G. Evans arrived to-day from Adams Run with three additional regiments. He is now the ranking brigadier on the island.

June I4lh> 1862. Eight companies of the battalion, under the command of Colonel Simonton, marched to the Presbyterian church for picket duty this morning. Three of these companies under my command were sent forward to the forks of the road below the church. The battery in front of Secessionville, under the command of Colonel J. B. Lamar of the First regiment of artillery of South Carolina volunteers, fought the enemy's gunboats in the Stono and a land battery in front of GrimbaH's all day, and kept up a slow fire during the night. The shells from the gunboats above Grimball's were pass- ing over our heads all night. The Charleston battalion, encamped on the Secessionville peninsula in the rear of Lamar' s battery, lost one man, who was killed by a shell, which passed through five tents. The man who lost his life was in one of them.

Our advanced pickets were pushed considerably nearer the enemy than the advanced post occupied by the pickets which we relieved. Our outposts were fired into early in the night. The fire was returned, and our pickets fell back. Our post was at once re-established near the point which it first occupied. Later in the night the enemy's pickets resumed their firing, and kept it up at intervals in our front all night.

Dill's house, which had been occupied by the enemy, was set on fire by the pickets of the regiment on our right. The dwelling, which was still occupied by the enemy, was fired by setting fire to the out-buildings.

During the night a trooper's horse got through our lines and went off towards the enemy's camp.

June r^th, Sunday. Battalion relieved, and spent a quiet day in camp. Rev. A. Toomer Porter is our chaplain. He is an Episco- palian minister, and the rector of the Church of the Holy Commu- nion in Charleston. It had been said that he was a " High Church- man" in the extreme, but I found him a man of liberal views. He is zealous in the discharge of his duties, a very agreeable companion, untiring in his efforts to promote the comfort of the men, and very popular with them. Two services are held on Sunday when it is possible, and a meeting for prayer every night. His addresses and sermons are much enjoyed, and are doubtless productive of much good.

June idth, 1862. Orders were sent to Colonel Simonton just before reveille to move at once with the battalion towards Secession-