Pocotaligo
Campaign: Expedition to Pocotaligo, S.C. (Oct 21-Oct 23, 1862)Date(s): October 22, 1862
Union Forces: Pocotaligo Expeditionary Forces (General J.M. Brannan, X Corps)
CSA Forces: Col. W.S. Walker
Dispatched from Beaufort S.C. the Pocotaligo Expeditionary Forces (Maj. Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchel) were carried on transport ships to Mackey's Point S.C. where the 47th Pennsylvania and 55th Pennsylvania Regiments were disembarked. Under command of Col. Tilghman H. Good their goal was to march to the Village of Pocotaligo, less than ten miles distant, where they were to burn the railroad bridge and destroy as much track as possible. Another group was to do the same at Coosawhatchie, a short distance away. The Union strategic goal was to isolate Charleston S.C..
Colonel Good's Pennsylvanian troops met the first Rebel resistance near the abandoned Caston's Plantation. The Beaufort Volunteer Artillery (CS), supported by cavalry and infantry, opened fire on the Union troops with their two howitzers. The Union artillery responded and the Rebels retreated quickly.
The Union advance, though slowed, continued on. They pushed the Rebels from Caston's and later Frampton's plantations. These delays allowed the Rebels, under Col. Walker, to put together a force of about 400 men who positioned themselves behind a small earthwork near the Frampton Plantation house.
Despite fearful casualties the Yanks, through superior numbers and artillery, drove the Rebels before them, through swamps and marshes to the Pocotaligo Bridge. Walker ordered the bridge destroyed. This had hardly begun when the lead Federal units appeared. Capt. Stephen Elliot Jr. of the Beaufort Artillery managed to hold off the Federal cannon until, with only three of his original eight cannon still serviceable, he forced the Yankee artillery to withdraw to safer ground.
Now it was the infantry's turn. While the remaining artillery on both sides continued to fire, the Union and Confederate infantry stood on opposite sides of a muddy marsh and blazed away. Confederate cavalry crossed the Pocotaligo and threatened the Union rear. The 76th Pennsylvania wheeled about and fired, driving the cavalry back.
As firing died down a steam whistle could be heard. The 7th South Carolina Infantry Battalion had rushed to the front by train and was unloading at the Pocotaligo depot. They immediately engaged the Federals and battled them for two hours.
As night fell the Union commander ordered retreat with the 47th Pennsylvania forming the rearguard. They re-embarked at Mackay's Point on the transport ships and returned to camp.
