WM. E. Martin to Mounted Regiment, January 4, 1862
Heywood, January 4, 1862.
Siz: I have the honor to. report that on the 1st instant I received »rders from Brigadier-General Pemberton to send a detachment of forty cavalry to report to General Jones, near the ferry. The detachment was under Captain Evans, as commander of the company, and Major Oswald, of my regiment. The detachment continued to act as a reserve, though engaged occasionally with the enemyâs skirmishers, whom: they assisted in driving back, the double-barreled gun and navy revolver having proved useful. General Pemberton directed me to remain at his headquarters.
At 3 p. m. he sent me to the scene of aetion to observe and report. On my way I overtook General Donelson with one of his regiments and led them to position by the general’s request. I had no other part in the affair, except that soon after our regiments retired to the cover of the wood I proposed to Lieutenant-Colonel McGowan, of Jonesâ regiment, to reconnoiter the field in search of our wounded. This we did, advanoing on horseback at [full] speed to the spot in the causeway, where the shell exploded which did us the principal damage.
This was within 100 yards of the enemyâs position at Chaplinâs house. Having found the wounded, we returned with Dr. Turnipseed, of Dun. ovantâs regiment, and a few soldiers, and with a wagon we brought the wounded away under the shells of the enemy aimed at us and the wagon containing the wounded.
I have no casualties to report in my command.
Respectfully submitted.
Colonel Mounted Regiment.
Lieut. J. H. MORRISON,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fourth Military District S. C.
No. 22.
Return of casualties in the Confederate forces at Port Royal Ferry, S. C., January 1, 1862.
Killed. Wounded.
12th South Carvlina……………..