The new South. (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, October 18, 1862, Image 4
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THE EXPEDITION TO JACKSONVILLE.
Official Report of Brig. Gen. J. M. Brannan.
IlKADQri.BTF.RX, EXPEDITION TO ST. JOHN'S RlYEB,
Steamship Ben Defobd, Oct. 13th, 18C2.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. P. PRENTICE,)
Assist an t-.Ad jut a nt-G f.n er a l, n
Apartment of the South, Hilton Head, S. C. )
Colonel :?In accordance with orders received
from Headquarters, Department of the South, I
assumed command of the following forces, intended
to operate against the Rebel Batteries at St.
John's Bluff", and such other parts of the St. John's
River as should contain rebel works? *
47thRegt., Penn. Vols., Col. T. II. Good,
effective strength, 825
7th Regt., Conn. Vols., Col Jos. Hawlet,
effective strength, 647
Section of 1st Conn. Light Battery,
Lieut. Canwon, eff ective strength.... 41
Detachment of 1st Mass. Cavalry,
Capt. Case, effective strength, GO
Total, 1573
The Expedition left llilton Head, S. C , on the
afternoon of the 30th of Scptemb.-r, 1862, on the
transporis Ben Deford, Boston, Cosmopolitan,
and Neptune, and arrived ofl'the bar of St. John's
River, early on the following morning, October the
1st, but was unable to enter the river until 2 P.
M. the same day, owing to the shallowness of the
channel. This expedition was joined by the following
fleet of gunboats, Captain Charles Steedman,
U. S. N. commanding, oidered toco-operate
with it.?Paul Jones, (Flag-ship,) Cimerone,
(Capt. Woodhull,) Wa.er Witch, (Lieut. Comd'g.
Pendegrast,) Hale, (Lieut Comd'g Snell,) Uncas,
/r.ioiit. rnnirPc Craned I'atroon, (Lieut. Comd g.
Wrann.) On the exped.tion coming within the j
river, three gun-boats were sent up to feel the j
position of the rebels, and were immediately and ,
warmly engaged by the batte ies, apparently of
heavy armament, on St. John's Bluff. A. landing
was effected at a place known as Mayp .rt Mills,
a short distance from the entrance of the river, and
the entire troops, with their arms, horses, and
rations, were on shorg by nine (9) o'clock on the
night of the 1st.
The country between this point and St. John's
Bluff, presented great difficulties in tho transpor-!
tation of troops, being intersected with impassa-1
ble swamps, anil unfordable creeks, and presenting
? . _ the alternative of a march?without land transportation?of
nearly forty (40) miles, to turn the head
of the creek, or to reland up the river, at a strongly
guarded position of the enemy. On further investigation
of the locality, a landi :g was effected
for the infantry, about two (2) o'clock on the
morning of the 2d, at a place known as Buck
it? r?_?o.v Koiiroan Pablo and Mount Pleasant!
Jiuru vrccn)
creeks, but o%ing to the swampy nature of the J
ground it was found impracticable to land the !
cavalry and artillery at that point. Here the !
gunboats rendered most valuable assistanca by I
transporting the troops in their boats, and in send-1
iag their light howitzers to cover their landing.
"Colonel T. H. Good, with the entire infantry, and
the marine howitzers, was ordered to proceed
immediately to the head of Mount Pleasant creek
and there establish a position to cover the landing
of the cavalry and artillery. This movement was
executed with great promptness and skill, surprising
and putting to flight the rebel pickets on
that creek. Indeed, the landing of the troops at
Buck-Horn Creek, and their rapid movements on
Mount Pleasant Creek, proved to be most fortunate
r? ? a vM>n/?ppriinor beinir so unexpected
JUr U3j"~?3uvu (i |/? ww?*?wg ? ? -?Q ? ? 4
on the part of the enemy as entirely to disarrange any
plans they may have formed to prevent our landing.
The pickets retired in such haste and trepidation,
as to leave their camps standing, their
arms, and even a great portion of their wearing
apparel behind them, and the men themselves
may thank the intricate nature of the ground,
together with their superior knowledge of a country
almost impracticable to a stranger, that they
effected their escape.
On the afternoon of the 3d the command of artillery
and infantry were in position, at the head of
Mount Pleasant Creek, distance about two (2) miles
from the enemies works on St. John s Bluff.
Here the statements of those belonging to the
locality, though conflicting and unreliable in %the
extreme, appeared to agree in placing the strength
w?K?ia qq 1200. cavalrv and infantry, in
VI IUV AVVV<W MW w
? addition to the heavy batteries, which they represented
as containing nine (9) heavy pieces, two
(2) of them being columbiads. Under these- circumstances,
I deemed it expedient on consultation
with Capt. Steedman, U. S.^N"., Commanding Naval
Forces, to call upon the garrison of Fernandina
for reinforcements. To this call Colonel Rich,1
9th Regt. Maine Vols., commanding that garrison. !
responded promptly, by sending three hundred
(300) men early on the following morning. Later
on that day, from further information received,
Captain Steedman at my request sent three gunBoats
to feel the position of the rebels, shelling
them as they advanced, when tlio batteries were1
round to be evacuated. After which Lieut. Snell,
U. S. Navy, sent a boat ashore and rhise 1 the '
American Ha/, finding the rebel flag in the
battery?the U. S. Steamer Water Witch, retaining
possession of the batteries until the arrival
of the land forces. The command immediate!
v advanced from the position on Mount Pleas
ant Creek, ami occupied the batteries and late j
camps of the enemy, at about 8 o'clock on the
night of the 3d. The cavalry not having landed j
with th(H)thcrpo:tion of the troops were h?re disembarked.
1 found the late position <,f the enemy on <
St. John's Bluff to be one of great strength, and
possessing a heavy and effective armament, with a
good supply of ammunition, as will be seen by the ^
accompanying inventory of ordnance captured?the
works being most skillf ully and carelully constructed,
and the position greatly enhanced by the
natural advantages of the ground, 4t being approachable
from the land by b.;t one route, which
would lead the attacking party through a winding
ravine, immediately, under the guns of the position,
and from the narrowness of the channel at this
point, and the elevation of the bluff, rendering the |
fighting of the gunboats most difficult and
dangerous.
. Most of the guns were monntcd on a complete
traverse circle, and, indeed, taking.everything into
consideration, lbaveuo doubt but that a small party
of determined men could have maintained this position
for considerable time, against even a larger
force than was at my disposal. On the day following
my occupation of these works (October
4ih) I proceeded to dismount the guns, and to
move them and the ammunition on board the
transport Neptune, which work was completed on
the 7th, when I forwarded them to Hilton Head*
? * 4U?. Ka Klnu-n nr. ntul
ana causeu mu uiiip^iuto iv u?, vivnu "yy ?> ?
otherwise destroyed the entire works on the bluff.<
On first occupying the bluft', Capt. Steedman, with
his gunboats, proceeded immediately to JaiksonviUe,
for the purpose of destroying all boats, and (
otherwise intercepting the passage of the rebel
troops across the river. O.i the 5th, leaving the J
work of removing the guns from St. John's bluff'
to Colonel T. H. Good, 47th Regt. Renna. Vols.,
my second in command,! proceeded up the river as
far as Jacksonville, in the Ben Ljeford, with 785
infantry. I observed a large quantity of.corn and
other crops on the banks of the river, which it
was at first' my intention, either to remove or
destroy; this purpose I afterwards abandoned as
impracticable, not having either forces or transportation
sufficient to remove it, and seeing from the
communication of the M.ijor General Commanding,
that he did not desire the delay necessary to destroy
it. The rebels had a light battery of eight
(8) pieces, and a position in readiness to receive 7
heavy guns, at a place called fellow Bluff, which
they apj ear to have lately evacuated. Jacksonville
I found to be nearly deserted, there being but a
a small pv>rtion of ks inhabitants left, chiefly old
men, women and children. On our first arrival
some few lebel cavalry were hovering around the
town, I ut they immediately reurea on iny esiuulishing
a picket line. From this town and its
neighborhood, I bring with me several refugees
and about 276 contrabands, including men women
and children.
On the 6th, herfring that some rebel steamers
were secreted in the creek up the river, I sent the
Darlington, with 100 men of the 47th Regiment
Penna. Vols., in charge of Captain Yard, with two
24-pounder light howitzers, and a crew of 25 men,
all under the command of Lieut. Willi iras, U. S.
N., and a convoy of gunboats, to cut theni out.
This party returned on the morning of the9.h,
with the rebel steamer Governor Milton, which they
captured in a creek about 230 miles up the river,
and about 27 miles from the town of Enterprise.
Lieut. Bacon, my Aide-de-Camp, accompanied the
expedition. Finding that the Cosmopolitan, which
had been sent to llilton Head, for provisions, had '
so injured herself it returning a.ross the bar, as
to be temporarily unfit for service. I sent the 7th
Regiment Conn. Vols., to liiltvn Head, by* the
steamer Boston, on the afternoon of the 7th inst.,
with the request that she might be returned to
' " >I!U Wa.4
assist in tne transporianon to muwu ticau ui mc
remaining portion of my command. On the return
of the successful expedition after the rebel
steamers, on the 9th I proceeded with that portion
of my command to St. John's Bluff, awaiting the
return of the Boston. On the 11th inst. I embarked
the section of 1st Conn. Light Battery, with
their guns, horses, &.c , and one company of the
47th Kegiment Penna. Vols., bn board the steamer
Darlington, sending them to liilton Head, via
Fernandina. Florida.
On-the 11th, the Boston having returned, I era-'
barked myself, with the last remaining portion of
my command, except one company of the 47th
Penna. Vols., left to assist and protect the Cosmopolitan,
for Hilton Head, S. C.f on the 12th inst.,
and arrived at that p!ace on the lath inst. The
captured steamer Governor Milton, I left in charge
of Captain Steedman, U. S. N. It is evident that
the troops in this portion of the country, from
their b.'ing in separate ami distinct companies,
liave not sufficient organization, or determination,
to attempt to sus'ain any one position, but seem
rather to devote themselves to a system of guerrilla
worfa.e as-was cxenip.iflcd in our advance on
St. John's Bluff, where, even alter tHe.evacuatioii
of the Fort, they continued to appear on our Hank,
and in our front, but as they seemed to tear a too
near approach, their Hre was never effective. 'J ho
gunboats rendered great and valuable sssistanrc
<]...!??. *h!n Awmo/IUiA * Avwl lll'O i OA lvt
uurillg 11113 C.l|irUlllUU) aim lllgll jnaiav ? auv ...
their conmiandet, Capt. Cha les Steednum, U. S.
ft'., for the prompt and cue: getic manner in which
he entered into every scheme for the reduction
the enemy, and the destruction ot their works ;
an j the zeal and activity with which he personally
supci intended every detail of his portion of the
duties; and further for his generous as?istauco
in relieving the transport Cosmopolitan.
I ascertained at Jacksonville, that the enemy
commenced evacuating the blutf immediately alter
the surprise oli their picket near Mount Pleasant
Creek, on the 3d inst. It alfoids me pleasure to
state that the most perfect harmony and good
feeling existed between the two branches ol the
service, in every respect?doubtless owing to the
gallant and gentlemanly conduct of the commander
of the uaral forces.
The troops under my command showed great
energy, zeal and activity, and a desire to meet the
enemy, but the latter were too fleet for them. I
doub; not they will give a good account of themselves
when the opportunity offers.
I am much indexed to my Staff, ( apt .in L. J.
Lambert, A. A. General, Captain I. ( orycll, A. Q.
M , I.ieuts. J. V. Germain and G. W. Cacon, A.
D. C's, for their zea', energy, and attention to
their duties, during the entire expedition, particularly
the three latter officers, who were always
ready at all times for any duty. To Captain Coryell,
A. Q. M., tho Q. M. Department owes much
for his untiring energy and activity in giving his
vaiuao.c assistance iu uie iruuspun i/usiuvjsviiiaii
after her accident. I am also uuder obligation to
Captain A. P. Rockwell, 1st Conn. Light Battery,
who acted as additional A. D. C., and to the Officers
of the Signal Corps, Lieut. G. 11. Hill, and F.
E. Town, who performed their duties with gre .t
satisfaction to me, and the expedition.
I have the honor to be, Colonel,
Most respec.fully Your ob't servant,
' j. M. BRANNAN,
Brigadier General Conunandiug.
?A one-legged orator, named Jones, was pretty,
successful in bantering an Irishman, when the latter
asked him : " How did you come to lose your
leg ?" " Well," said Jones, ? on examining my .
pedigree and looking upon my descent, 1 louud
there was some Irish blood in me and becoming
convinced it was all settled in that lefi leg, I had
it cut oft' at once." " Be the powers," said Pat,
" it 'ud av bin a good thing if it had only settled
in your head."
?A certain lawyer had his portrait taken in his
favorite attitude?standing with his hand in his
pocket. His friends and clients went to see it, and
everybody executed, " Oh, how like! it is the
very picture of him ! " An old farmer, however,
dissented. " Don't you see,' said ne, ? ne nas
got bis hand in his own pocket! .'Twould bo as
like againrif he had it in somebody else's."
?A witty dentist having labored in vain to extract
a decayed tooth from a lady's mouth, gave
up the task with the felicitous apology: ? The
fact is, madam, it seems impossible lor anythiug
bad to come out of your mouth. '
JUST RECEIVED, AT THE UNION SQUARE STORE,
under the Post Office?a line lot of Letter and Note
Paper?ruled and plain?extra super and common qualities.
Envelopes, Buff, White, Tinted, opaque, Prtriotic, uc..?all
sizes and qualities. Steel and Gold Pens. Ink?black, blutf "
* ?f-'?*- AMonmi vu\>4 fnlina non
ana rea. uiaowiuub, n/mcio, v???7v??, t/vi? w?.vVf r? ?
knives, prize stationery, ac. <ic. Also, Patten's Manual lor
Officers, Infantry Tactics, lluune's Engineers Manual and
various other books of interest and value to the soldier.
Also, a large variety of Novels, Song-books, pictorial papers,
and by each mail the latest issues of the New York daily
papers.
F1RT ROYAL DOUSE, HILTON HEAD, S. C.?THE SUBscribers
wish to inform their friends and the Public
that their House is now open for visitors, the traveling
public and permanent boarders, on reasonable terms. No
pains will be spared tor the comfort of guests.
FRANZ <? GILSON, Proprietors.
GROCERY AND SUTLER STORE.?Messrs. FRANZ A
GILSON Will keep constantly on hand, at their large
Warehouse under the Port Royal House, a good supply of
Ship's Groceries and Sutler's Goods, which will be sold at
reasonable prices. They will also advance men y and take
bills of credit on Shipments upon the owners in Boston or
Ww York.
Reference Col. Peter Dunbar, J. J. Dunbar d Co.,
Hill de Simpson, Benton d- Caverly, Potter d- Snow and C.
L. Curtis. All of Boston, Mass.
FRANZ d GILSOX.
MR. C. G. ROBBIXS, BEAUFORT, 8. C., LS NOW ESTAB- '
lished on the corner opposite "Stevens House." He
has always on hand, for sale, the most desirable goods for
this section of the country, aud for army uses, at the lowest
prices.