with the infantry, halted at Roper's, near Aberpoolie bridge. Here I was informed by Lieutenant-Colonel Kemper that he had been compelled to leave at the batteries two 8-inch howitzers. I ordered Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Council, Twenty sixth Regiment Virginia Volutneers, to remain at Roper's and at night to make an effort to recover them. For this purpose 200 infantry, two field pieces, and Major Jenkins' cavalry was the force assigned. The rest of the infantry and artillery was moved up to Walpole's, where they were encamped for the night. During the afternoon I received intelligence through Major Jenkins that the enemy had landed a force at Legareville and were advancing up the peninsula. They continued to advanced until covered the approach from Roper's to the batteries. Having no approximate knowledge of their strength, and knowing that several vessels had come up the Stono, the evident danger of an ambuscade induced me to countermand the order to Lieutenant Colonel Council and to order him to join the main body early this morning. This having been effected, I returned with the infantry and artillery to the main, and pursuant to the provisios of Special Orders, Numbers 276, department headquarters, ordered the several corps composing the detachment back to the positions from which they marched to the island. In the action on the 25th instant we lost, besides the 2 8-inch howitzers, 1 man killed, 11 wounded, 2 mortally; 13 horses killed and disabled, belonging to the artillery, and 1 ambulance mule killed. The enemy, so far as I can ascertain, sustained no loss or injury whatever. The artillery, except Charles' battery, fired badly; this there is reason to believe was, in a measure at least, owing to the very inferior quality of the ammunition and want of practice in firing. I take pleasure in acknowledging the enemy and skill wxhibited by Lieutenant P. C. Johnston, of the engineers, in the construction and concealment of the batteries.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. R. PAGE,

Colonel, Commanding Expedition.

Captain JAMES H. PEARCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[28.]

ADAMS RUN, S. C., December 27, 1863.

CAPTAIN: Not concurrng with Colonel Demper entirely in his report* in regard to time, distances, and other inferences that might be drawn from it, I deem it my duty to make the following remarks thereon:

First. I differ with him as to the distance he supposed the Marblehead to be from the battery. I supposed her to be about 800 or 1,000 yards.

Second. I differ with him as to the time it took the Marblehead to get under way. He states five minutes; I think she was ten or fifteen minutes getting under way.

Third. It might be inferred from his report that Charles' battery was ordered to withdraw before he moved, which is not the case, as Charles' battery was not ordered to retire until I received his message that he, battery being the last to cease firing. I think Colonel Kemper was perfectly right in retiring when he did.

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* See next, post.

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2 R R-VOL LIII