"They even stole the ferry".

Monday, January 6, 1862 Gardens Corner

Just a few days ago, some of the boys and myself were grumbling that we just a gang of slaves for the army what with all the hard labor we were doing. We were longing and clamoring to go to Virginia where the real war is. Early on New Year's Day, about an hour after midnight, we were rousted from under our blankets and ordered to form up. The Yankees were coming.

Only four companies of the 12th were here at Camp Pemberton. The other six, with our colonel, Dunovant, were detailed to Charleston. In the dark, we marched and stumbled towards the oncoming enemy. We did not know it at the time, only later, that the enemy was coming at us from two directions. Apparently, they were after the ferry landing at Port Royal on Whale Branch and the earthworks protecting it. The force we were sent against was a feint to take our attention away from the landing. Both attacking forces advanced under the protection of their infernal gunboats which sent their weight of shot and shell over the heads of their infantry towards us. The gunboats disrupted us greatly but caused few casualties.

Once we were in line of battle, it was the 14th South Carolina, the 8th Tennessee which was one of the regiments in Donelson's brigade, two guns of the Caroline Artillery from Goochland and ourselves, the 12th, closest to the river on our right. We could see some cavalry from Martin's Mounted Regiment providing flank protection on our far left. We moved through a cotton field to get into position.

By this time, it was light and we could see their blue line advancing towards us, supported by their gunboats. This was the first time that we had faced their infantry in battle. We could make out some of their flags and knew we were up against New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians, and others we could not identify. Their advance was not spirited and they declined to move away from the protection of their gunboats. Our defense was not well-organized as the gunboats kept us in a state of disorder. Their musketry had little effect on us and I think ours had the same effect on them.

Our earthworks guarding the ferry were still under construction and they were evacuated so that the attention of those troops could be directed elsewhere. While we were busy, another enemy force attacked  and carried the ferry and the surrounding works. As the works were not completed or fully armed, they did not get much. The Yankees did destroy everything that would burn. They even stole the ferry.

The entire affair ended with the Yankees retiring to their gunboats after some hours and they spent the night offshore. We stayed in the field and returned to Camp Pemberton the following morning. A detachment from Company C under Lieutenant Roseborough was sent out under cover of darkness to burn that corn and cotton that was at risk of being captured.

Once we were back in camp and had some cooked rations, without any coffee, we jawed at length on our recent engagement. For it being our first time against their infantry, most said they were little concerned about being in battle. They were glad that we had met them. Of course, had the affair been more heated, their tune might be different. As it was, our regiment suffered but one killed and four wounded. Everyone hates the gunboats. Unless they come within range of our guns, we cannot hurt them. We need more big guns. And coffee.