First Battle of Pocotaligo

The First Battle of Pocotaligo was a battle in the American Civil War fought on May 29, 1862 near Yemassee, South Carolina.[1] The Union objective was to sever the Charleston and Savannah Railroad and thus isolate Charleston, South Carolina.

For the October 22, 1862 battle, see Second Battle of Pocotaligo.
First Battle of Pocotaligo
Part of the American Civil War
DateMay 29, 1862 (1862-05-29)
Location
Yemassee, South Carolina
32°38′13″N 80°51′48″W
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin C. Christ Colonel William S. Walker
Casualties and losses
2 killed and 9 wounded 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 missing

Battle

On May 28, 1862 a Union detachment from the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, 8th Michigan Infantry, 79th New York Infantry and 1st Massachusetts Cavalry under Colonel Benjamin C. Christ left Beaufort, South Carolina to demonstrate against the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. The force marched toward Pocotaligo, driving back pickets along the way. Some severe fighting took place at Pocotaligo where much of the bridge had been removed. About 300 Union men were able to cross the creek and drive the Confederates into the woods. Since the damage to the bridge and action against the Confederate force was in line with the mission's objective, the Union force withdrew. The Union expedition lost 2 killed and 9 wounded. The Confederates lost 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 missing.[2][3]

References
  1. H. David Stone (2008). Vital Rails: The Charleston & Savannah Railroad and the Civil War in Coastal South Carolina. Univ of South Carolina Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-57003-716-0. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  2. The Union Army; A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States, 1861–65 — Records of the Regiments in the Union Army — Cyclopedia of Battles — Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing, 1997. First published 1908 by Federal Publishing Company. Vol. 6. OCLC 1473658. Retrieved January 20, 2011. pp. 698–699.
  3. Johnson, John F. The defense of Charleston harbor, including Fort Sumter and the adjacent islands, 1863-1865. Charleston, S.C:, Walker, Evans & Cogswell Co., 1890. OCLC 2870938. p. 25.
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