| Charleston, S. C.
|
| October 27, 1863 |
| |
| Maj. Gen. J. F. Gilmer |
| Second in Command, &c. |
| |
| General, |
| In accordance with orders from you, I
have made a reconnaissance of the country from the South Carolina
Railroad
Bridge
across the Edisto
to Ridgeville. The most important points, in my estimation, of
defense for the railroad from Charleston to Augusta, are the
railroad bridge over the Edisto River, 4 miles above Branchville,
toward Augusta; Raysor's Bridge, over the same river, on the road
between George's Station and Walterborough, and Four-Hole Bridge,
over the Four-Hole Swamp. For the defense of Branchville, in case
the river should be passed below, a line can be taken up on a small
creek that cuts the public road three-quarters of a mile from
Branchville, in the direction of Charleston. For the defense of these positions it would be advisable to
station two companies of infantry at the railroad bridge, two
companies of infantry at Raysor's Bridge, two companies of infantry
at Four-Hole
Bridge, over Four-Hole
Swamp. The remainder of the regiment, four companies, to be stationed
about a mile from Branchville, on the road to the New
Bridge
. I would also recommend that a platoon of cavalry be stationed at
Gioham's Ferry and a platoon at Appleby's Ferry. The two companies
of infantry at the railroad bridge would be stationed on the right
bank of the river, to protect the bridge against an enemy advancing
either along the right bank of the
Edisto
or from the Salkehatchie. The two companies of infantry at Raysor's
Bridge would guard against an enemy attempting to strike at George's
Station by the roads leading from the landings between
Jacksonborough, on the right bank of the Edisto, and Tar Bluff, on
the left bank of the Combahee. The two companies of infantry at
Four-Hole Bridge would dispute the passage of the Edisto at Gioham's
Ferry against an enemy advancing along the right bank of that river,
and would threaten his flank if he attempted to march by the road
from Willstown to destroy the railroad bridge 2 miles above
Ridgeville and across Four-Hole Swamp. The four companies of
infantry stationed 1 mile from Branchville, on the road to the
New
Bridge
, would guard the bridge against an enemy advancing on the right of
the
Edisto
, and defend the line of swamp crossing the public road
three-fourths of a mile from Branchville. This force could also, by
means of an engine kept at Branchville, with a sufficient train, be
sent to re-enforce the points along the line wherever they may be
needed. The platoon of cavalry stationed at Gioham's Ferry would
guard that position from surprise by a force approaching on the
right bank of the
Edisto
, and patrol the roads below Raysor's Bridge and to the east of
Walterborough. The platoon of cavalry at Appleby's Bridge would
defend that position and patrol the roads above Raysor's Bridge and
those running along the Salkehatchie. |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant |
| Robt. H. Barnwell |
| Captain of Engineers |
|
|
| [Indorsement]
|
| Hdqrs. Dept. South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
|
| Charleston, October 27, 1863
|
| From personal
examination, made in company with Captain Barnwell, I am able to
approve at once his suggestions as to the points that ought to be
occupied by troops for the defense of the South Carolina Railroad.
The companies (four) held in reserve will protect Branchville, and
can be transferred quickly by railroad to points most convenient for
supporting the garrisons at the Edisto
River. I am informed that an engine is generally, if not at all times,
kept at Branchville, also some cars. I recommend that the orders to
Colonel Williams' regiment be revised, and that he be instructed to
post his companies, as now indicated. Plans for defensive works are
now under consideration.
|
| Respectfully submitted
|
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major-General, and Second in Command |
|