* This company subsequently became Company G, 29th Battalion Georgia Cavalry
...........................
Twenty-ninth Battalion Georgia Cavalry
AUGUST 2-4, 1864.--Naval expedition to McIntosh County, Ga.
REPORTS.+
No. 1.--Lieut. Col. Arthur Hood, Twenty-ninth Battalion Georgia Cavalry.
No. 2.--Capt. F. J. Browning, Twenty-ninth Battalion Georgia Cavalry.
No. 1.
Report of Lieut. Col. Arthur Hood, Twenty-ninth Battalion Georgia Cavalry.
STATION No. 3, ATLANTIC AND GULF RAILROAD,
August 6, 1864.
LIEUT.: I beg leave to inclose herewith report of Capt.
Browning, Company C, whom I sent after the enemy who landed in
McIntosh, and who succeeded in capturing some 23 of the citizens of
that county. I would respectfully suggest that the mail facilities for that
portion of the county be curtailed, and that no one but known loyal
citizens be permitted to receive from the post-office newspapers. I think
it important also that all persons known to be disloyal immediately on
the coast, and all negroes, be removed. The means of communication
are too rapid and certain with the blockading fleet.
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. HOOD,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.
Lieut. J. HUNTER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
No. 2.
Report of Capt. F. J. Browning, Twenty-ninth Battalion
Georgia Cavalry.
STATION No. 3, ATLANTIC AND GULF RAILROAD,
August 5, 1864.
ADJUTANT: I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant, under
orders from Lieut. Col. A. Hood, I started with a detachment
of 60 men in pursuit of the enemy, said to be in the neighborhood of
Ebenezer Church.
I reached the church on the morning of the 4th instant, about 8 o'clock.
I there learned that the enemy had landed at Baisden's Bluff, on Sapelo
River. After landing they divided into two squads, one going to the
bridge on said river, the other going to Ebenezer Church and secreting
themselves in the undergrowth near the church, to await the arrival of
the party who had been sent to the bridge for the purpose of burning it
as soon as the citizens had crossed over who were to attend a meeting
at Ebenezer Church, ordered by Col. Gaulding. After allowing the
citizens to cross they burned the bridge, and then marched about 4 miles
to the church. When in a few hundred yards of the church they gave a
signal by firing a gun. The other party rushed from the woods on the
opposite side of the church, thereby entirely surrounding it and capturing
23 citizens who had assembled for the purpose of meeting Col.
Gaulding. After putting the prisoners under guard and taking the horses,
they marched to Blue & Hall's Mill, about 8 miles below the church,
where they expected to meet the boats that were to take them off that
evening.
The above information I gained from Capt. Lefils, who was one of the
captured party, but was afterward turned loose on account of his old
age. After learning this I made all possible speed to the above-named
mill, which point I reached about 1 p. m., and found on my arrival that
they had been gone about two hours.
I captured at the mill 1 sailor, who claims himself as a deserter, but
who, I think, was left for some other purpose. They had fortified
themselves at the mill by building breast-works of some hewn timber on
the bluff of the river, at the end of a dam about 400 yards long, which
is the only way by which the point could be reached. They were 107
strong; but notwithstanding their advantage in numbers, I think if I
could have reached there in time I could have captured the entire party,
as they had no possible chance of escape.
F. J. BROWNING,
Capt., Cmdg. Co. C, Twenty-ninth Batt. Georgia Ca.
Adjt. THOMAS BARROW, Twenty-ninth Batt. Georgia Cav.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 423-65 S. C., FLA., AND ON THE GA. COAST. [CHAP. XLVII.
[Series I. Vol. 35. Part I, Reports and Correspondence. Serial No. 65.]
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AUGUST 17, 1864.--Skirmish at South Newport, Ga.
Reports of Lieut. Col. Arthur Hood, Twenty-ninth Battalion
Georgia Cavalry.*
STATION No. 3, ATLANTIC AND GULF RAILROAD,
August 18, 1864.
CAPT.: I regret to report that about 12 o'clock last night Company
F, Third South Carolina Cavalry, Lieut. Mole commanding,
stationed at or near South Newport, was surprised and most of the
company either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. I am unable to
report the exact loss, but suppose it will reach 50, including Lieut.'s
Mole and Platts. I have seen 1 of the men who escaped from camp, and
heard of 9 others. I can only at this time account for about 20 men of
the company. It is probable that a few more may have escaped. It is
reported to me by those who escaped that the
enemy came up South Newport River and landed cavalry and infantry;
the force unknown. I at once ordered down the force I had here, and
have ordered from the bridge that portion of Companies C and g that
are dismounted. I will as soon as possible find out the force of the
enemy, and whether or not they have returned to their boats. I am afraid
there was culpable neglect upon the part of the commanding officer of
the company. I inclose copies of orders I had issued to him, instructing
him to guard his camp. I also verbally called his particular attention to
this matter. Looking to the importance of this matter I instructed
Lieut. Mole, by orders and verbally, to make a reconnaissance of
the coast. I furnished him, so far as I could, with a rough map of the
coast, stating to him that he must rely on his own reconnaissance for
exact information. I could only give him such as I could gather from
conversation with citizens of the vicinity. I will have the matter
thoroughly investigated and report all the information I can get. I have
no idea the enemy landed any cavalry.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. HOOD,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.
Capt. ROBERT GRANT,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 440-65 S. C., FLA., AND ON THE GA. COAST. [CHAP. XLVII.
[Series I. Vol. 35. Part I, Reports and Correspondence. Serial No. 65.]