Holcombe Legion to A. L. Evans, March 29, 1862

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to orders from Brig. Gen. N. G. Evans, commanding, I last night moved from Jehossee, about 3 a. m., on an expedition to Edisto Island, with the following force, viz: The Enfield Battalion, 230 strong, Maj. P. Nelson, commanding; a detachment of cavalry, Holcombe Legion, dismounted, 75 men; Companies B and F, Holcombe Legion, 81 men; Companies A, C, D, E, G, and H, or rather portions of each, 261 men, commanded by Majors Palmer and Garlington. ;

Major Nelson, throwing out skirmishers from Oaptain Blair’s com pany (A) of his battalion, crossed Watt/s Cut first, supported by Lieutenant-Colonel Shingler, with whose command I was principally in position. Moving forward without opposition until near Old Dominion, the enemy’s picket there first challenged, when an interchange of shots took place between them and our advance. Moving on past Old Dominion, if I remember aright, a second interchange of shots took place between our advance and the enemy, when I discovered that the head of the column had taken the wrong direction for Bailey’s house, which I had determined to attack with this portion of my force.

After the delay thus caused, our guide having placed the advance on the correct road, the march was continued to Bailey’s without interruption. On reaching that place it was found deserted. The alarm of the picket and the delay incident to missing the way probably gave the enemy time to escape, as one of the prisoners, subsequently taken, stated that there was a company at that point and two companies at Baynard’s. Moving on from Bailey’s to Whaley’s, on reaching the main road we were fired on from the woods on the road-side, but fortunately without any loss on our side. The enemy retiring from the woods, we moved on until near Whaley’s, when, several discharges of artillery being heard at that point and the roll of the enemy’s drums being also heard from two points beyond Whaley’s, I deemed it prudent to retire, as my retreat over the long causeway would have been very disastrous in the face of artillery.

Returning to the cut, we found that at the first fire our skirmishers had killed one of the pickets and wounded a second, We there found four muskets. Bringing the wounded and the dead man to Jehossee, I buried the latter and dispatehed the wounded man to Pineberry. I understand that he has since died.

The second part of the command, under the guidance of Mr. Seabrook, and the command of Majors Palmer and Garlington, taking a by-path, moved rapidly to Little Edisto Bridge, receiving the fire of pickets and moving steadily forward. At the bridge the enemy offered considerable resistance, but charging in the face of the fire the bridge was carried. Leaving a detachment to destroy the bridge, the main party pushed on for the house of Hanahan. There was considerable resistance on the part of the enemy, but being finally broken, our party captured 19, as follows: First Lieut. John McElhaney, Corporal Samuel Moorhead, and Noah Fisher, Samuel Campbell, James Steffey, Andy Farren, John L. Taylor, Abr. D. Coy, Nicholas Cameron, Westley Cameron, Robert Crytzer, and L. L. Thompson, all members of Company F, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regiment; Issae Ream, W. E. Garlinger, John Mars, John Werning, Thomas Lockard, Christian Whitaker, and a sergeant* (name unknown, sent to hospital wounded), of Company H, same regiment. E man was found killed on the field, said to be a non-commisioned officer.

Of our entire command, one private in the cavalry, Kinsler Davis, of Company B, was slightly wounded in the leg ; Private Henderson, of Company I, was shot through the arm, and Private Chapman, of Company C, was slightly wounded in the head.

Crossing his men and prisoners in a small boat found at Hanahan’s, Major Palmer got off safely to Jehossee. The flats sent by Lieutenant Bates did not arrive until late, thereby greatly retarding the retreat of Major Palmer.

I eannot too highly commend the gallantry and daring of Majors Palmer and Garlington, erossing to an island and shutting themselves

* Bilas Gollipher.

Cmar XV.) AFFAIR ON EDISTO ISLAND.

thereon, determined to conquer the enemy, no matter what his force. The duty assigned them was most handsomely performed.

Respectfully, P. F. STEVENS,