George H. Gordon to I. Capt. C. B. Reese, August 28, 1863

August 28, 1863.

Captain Batou, Commanding U.S. Sloop-of-war Pawnee.

Captain: My scouts found the enemy this morning, about 6 or 7 o’clock, as they say, in force, which probably means considerable numbers. I will endeavor to show you, by the map, the position the enemy’s lines occupy. Begin at a point on the Stono River, on the Beale of about 32° 40′ 20″; then move, perpendicular to the left bank of the river, until you come to the large creek that runs into Folly River, opposite White House. All along the little stream that makes out from this creek toward Stono, their pickets, cavalry and infantry, are thickly posted, their main reserve seeming to be in the piece of woods just north of the inlet.

Some of my men went up the creek that leads from Stono River into White House Creek, as I will call it, and were fired upon in the large open marshy place into which the creek enlarges just before it runs into White House Creek. Other men went up the inlet that runs from Folly River in a northwesterly direction, entering Folly River just before you come to White House Creek. They left their boat and, crossing a piece of woods through which the parallel of 32° 40′ runs, saw the enemy’s picket in strong force on the north side of the inlet, and were fired on from there.

They retreated to their boat, and saw at the sametime a large boat, filled with rebels, in pursuit. They reached the mouth of the creek and got into Folly River just a little ahead of the rebels, who took the cut-off from White House Creek, and pursued them until they (the rebels) came in sight of our pickets on Folly Island.

If the rebels are in force on the line I have attempted to indicate, you can easily reach them with your large guns or small ones. I have given such directions that your boats will not be troubled on Folly River during the daytime. Please let me know if I have made the position of things intelligible to you. I shall send out again to-morrow, and always endeavor to know the whereabouts of the enemy.

Vere

respectfully, your obedient servant,