Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/154

 148 Southern Historical Society Papers.

my command constituted the left wing of our advanced forces. The head of the Secessionville avenue was made the picket headquarters. The Secessionville battery opened fire on the enemy's battery, which was being enlarged. The firing continued all the afternoon and night, the shells passing over our heads. The artillery practice was at first good, but there was afterwards a falling off in accuracy. The enemy made no reply. Our picket line was along the Seres- sionville road. That of the enemy was in plain view on the opposite side of the field in our front and about two hundred and fifty yards distant. Some of our pickets were sent up into trees the better to observe the enemy. There was a dense growth of corn in a part of the field, now in tassel. This field, being between the lines of the two armies and on neutral ground, had so far escaped the fate which overtook the balance of the crops on the island. The planters had been sent off in May with their negroes and such stock as was not needed for the use of the army. I had been appointed Provost- Martial and superintended their removal. Their crops were left standing in the field, and made the very best forage for our animals. The men have been feasting on "roasting ears."

In the night a scouting party approached our line coming through the thick corn. They were soon driven back, and, upon returning, were fired into by their own friends. "Now, you have done it," some one in their line was heard to exclaim, "you have killed the officer of the guard." A desultory fire was kept up by both lines of pickets through the whole night.

June 28th. The Twenty-second South Carolina volunteers took our places on the picket line this morning. Secessionville battery still firing on the enemy and with greater accuracy than on the pre- vious evening. The news of the rout of McClellan's army before Richmond reached us and increased our rejoicing. The prospects of the Confederate cause seemed to be brightening, and the end of the war and a return to our homes seemed almost in sight.

The steamer Racer, of the British navy, came into Charleston har- bor. Foreign vessels of war are always welcome visitors. We desire that their officers should be witnesses of our ability to main- tain our independence, and hope that a favorable report to their government might induce recognition.

June 29th. Additional details reached us to-day of the defeat of McClellan's army.

One large steamer, one ship and two schooners came into the Stono to-day. [We learned afterwards that these vessels came for