Dear Brother

The Dept of the South is out on another Expedition, not Johns Island this time , but the Main Land - We Landed from our transports at Boyd's Neck a point 20 miles up Broad River - opposite Whale Island.

We left Hilton Head at 2 O'clock A.M. Monday Morning - the 29th inst.- and steamed up Broad River - but the Fog was so thick - and night so dark that the Boats got Scattered I think full one half of them were aground. Instead of landing at Daylight, as anticipated - The Boat's that were not aground or lost in the small rivers - were back to Hilton Head.

The second effort was made at once - by dark of Monday The troops had effected a safe landing - I was on Steamer Delaware with my own & Col. Beecher's Regt. - having the largest Boat, we were the last to disembark when we did disembark (about dark Monday) the other forces had pushed out some 3 or 4 miles to-ward the Rail Road - Genl Hatch was in Command It seems that he failed for some cause to follow the Directions of his Guides - some say he left them back at the landing. At any rate he got lost and marched a number of unnecessary miles consequently failed to strike the R.R. the afternoon of his landing. The Attack was made about 10 A. M. Tuesday. The fight lasted until 4 P.M. without any intermission. We found the Enemy some three Miles from his works - he made a good fight but gradually fell back to take Shelter in his formidable works near the R.R.

Now I will tell you what part the 34th took in the operations of the day. I was ordered to take position at a cross road and hold it - Two (2) Howitzers and a Co. of Marines were sent to me. It was an important position - about 10 A.M. Monday - the enemy made an attack on me but was repulsed with considerable loss - He did not know that I had Artillery - and when he got quite close to my lines both pieces were opened with a volley of musketry - That commenced and ended the fight - At 12 noon Genl Foster sent me orders to advance on the Coosawhatche Road - a road opposite from the one taken by Genl Hatch and his force - I was to advance 5 miles - to Bee's Creek (near the R.R. at Grahamville) I advanced two (2) miles on the Road - when I came upon a formidable Earth works - with long lines of Rifle Pits - Two companies of Rebel Cavalry with two light pieces of Artillery were found there. The Enemy fell back quickly as I advanced - occasionally exchanging shots with the skirmishing line - 3 miles was yet to pass to find Bee's Creek I was to hold a cross road near this Creek and prevent reinforcements from passing from Charleston to the Battlefield - On reaching the Road I left the Main force (with the Artillery) and advanced one mile with the Skirmish line - Major Anderson Fosters chief of staff at this time came up - I informed him that my position was one that could not be held with so little a force - that I was confident the enemy was beyond the Creek with a large force He replied that he thought their was no force or works near us, - Major come with me and we will settle the questions at once - I at once ordered the skirmish line to advance and the Major & myself rode up to the advance line of our skirmishers.

In ten seconds the Air was full of Shrapnell and Grape & Canister thrown by the enemy from their front near the side of the road -

The Major's horse took its rider rappidly from all danger - The skirmisher were ordered back My horse was struck and badly hurt. I had none killed - 6 of the Men were badly wounded, two mortal all were brought from the field The Major did not stop until he had reached Genl Foster's Hd. Qrs. at the landing some 6 miles to the rear - At 10 o'clock that night I received an order from Genl Foster to Fall back at once and hold the position held by me in the morning - awaiting there for further orders from Genl Hatch - I reached the position about midnight and found Genl Hatch with his whole force His fight was over & his forces defeated ------

Things were in great confusion that night - The Next morning - the good friend the Spade was brought into use & we now hold the position. I was sent early in the morning of the Battle to hold - it is three miles from the Landing - a good position - We hear nothing from Sherman - Heavy fireing is to-day heard in the direction of Savannah. He is expected in that Quarter. We will hold our position here until Sherman come up Supplies are here for him -