Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/155

 The Wee Nee Volunteers of Williamaburg District. 149

the purpose of removing the enemy's forces from James Island, but at the time it was thought that they may have brought reinforce- ments.]

June 3oth. At 3 o'clock A. M., the battalion was roused and held on the color-front till after daylight, so as to be in readiness for any movement that the enemy might make. Our generals thought that if the vessels which came in on yesterday brought reinforcements, a forward movement might be expected.

The Secessionville battery still reminding the enemy of their dis- astrous failure of the i6th by an occasional shot.

July ist, 1862. The enemy reported this morning advancing in three columns. One towards Secessionville, one towards the Pres- byterian church, and the other towards the Episcopal church. All of our forces on the island were soon under arms. The Eutaw battalion and Fifty-first Georgia are formed just outside the line of entrenchments in readiness to reinforce the picket at the Presby- terian church, or to strengthen any other point where more troops might be needed. Lieutenant-Colonel Simonton is sick and the battalion is to-day under my command. The enemy did not continue to advance.

At half-past 8 o'clock A. M., we started on another tour of picket duty. I made my headquarters at the cross-roads. The picket line was at the usual place below the Presbyterian church. We had a day of perfect quiet all along the line ; not a gun fired.

July 2d. The battalion was relieved this morning by Goodlet's and Hagood's regiments. The enemy withdrew their forces trom Dill's and GrimbaH's, but are reported to be still at Legare's.

Malarial fever is very common among the troops. Quinine is regularly issued and taken as a prophylactic. It is now worth $9.60 an ounce, and very scarce. A decoction is also used, made by steeping bark in whiskey, and is kept by the medical staff among the hospital stores by the barrel. Many of the men are not fond of " bitters," and it is with difficulty that they can be made to take it. Some who liked their "daily bitters" get a little more than they need " for their stomach's sake or their often infirmities."

July jd When the news of the defeat of McClellan's army was fully confirmed, General Pemberton directed that the batteries all along our lines fire a national salute. Some of the pickets at the front were not apprised of the purpose, and a Georgia captain with his command, supposing that the enemy had gotten to his rear and were attacking the lines, came running in to the nearest point of the