Robeson County, NC - Charleston Daily Courier, 1863 ~~~~~~~~~~ This is an article that was published in the Charleston Daily Courier which listed my ancestor (Pvt. Malcom Wilkerson) from Lumberton, NC as wounded and taken to Trapman Street Hospital in Charleston, SC. I have studied the article and through pain staking research I have analyzed the action and the list of those wounded and killed and found some very interesting facts. I have noted the facts that I discovered from my research. The Daily Courier Charleston, SC Saturday morning, July 18, 1863 From The Islands The enemy, Friday morning, drew off their troops from James and Battery Islands, and transferred them to Little Folly Island. From those who have visited the ground on James Island, we learn that the enemy, in evacuating the place, left behind quite a number of tents, besides a quantity of stores. Our men picked up hams, rations of biscuit, tea, coffee, sugar, and other welcome supplies. Several Yankee and English newspapers of the late dates, together with a number of letters, were found – some of the later containing interesting information. The latest Northern dates were the 5th and 6th instant. The bombardment of Battery Wagner is kept up daily by the Yankee gunboats. Between three and four hundred shells is perhaps the average number thrown each day, which so far has resulted in killing of one man – a private in the Twelfth Georgia Battalion. *********************************************************************** [NOTICE--THIS SECTION PRINTED HERE WAS PRINTED IN SEQUENCE WITH THE STORY ABOVE AND FOR SOME REASON BEFORE THE LIST OF CASUALTIES FROM THE FIGHTING ON FRIDAY MORNING. WHAT FOLLOWS HERE IS THE LIST OF CASUALTIES FOR CAPT. HASKELL'S COMPANY FROM THE FIGHTING ON JULY 10, 1863 WHEN THE UNION TROOPS ASSAULTED THE SOUTH END OF MORRIS ISLAND FROM LITTLE FOLLY.] We have been furnished with the following lists of casualties of Captain Charles T. Haskell’s Company D, First S.C. Infantry, in the action at Morris Island on the 10th instant; Killed – Captain Haskell, Private Miles Wounded – Sergeant Wm. H. Burgess, severely, wrist and leg, captured; Corporal Jos. Eston, severely, shoulder, captured; Privates W.G. Edgins, dangerously, head, and captured; F. Ford, severely, stomach, captured; Robert Bradley, slightly, head; C.C. Melton, slightly, side, Wm. Baker, sligltly, leg,; M.C. Hiott, slightly, arm; Patrick McCormick, slightly, face, Wm. Chandler, missing. J. Moultre Holbeck Lieut. 1st S.C. Inf’y, Com’g. Co. D ********************************************************************** [THIS IS THE CONTINUANCE OF THE MAIN ARTICLE. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SOLDIER KILLED AS MENTIONED ABOVE IS PRIVATE LEE OF THE SAVANNAH GUARDS OR THE 18TH GEORGIA BATTALION. THERE ARE SOME MISPELLINGS ON NAMES AND WRONG REGIMENTS IN THE ARTICLE, AFTER SOME VERY INTENSE SEARCHING, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY EACH SOLDIER AS YOU WILL DISCOVER BELOW] The following wounded soldiers in the action of James Island have been taken to the Trapman Street Hospital: Killed – Private Lee, Savannah Guards (see note below) Wounded –Privates U.B. Wade, Company B, and J.M. Kreegan, 18th Georgia; M. Wilkinson, Co. E, 51st North Carolina, in the leg; F.M. McArthur, Company F, 32nd Georgia, in the foot; James Owen, Company H, 1st South Carolina Infantry, in the hand; M. Ginlay, Company H, slightly; Freeman Willis, Company K, 32nd Georgia, in the thigh. The notes below are resulting from further research of the contemporary report in the paper: As you will see, the newspaper is incorrect in a few areas. Not all of these men were wounded on James Island. It was not a Private Lee, but a Sergeant Lee. the U.B. Wade turns out to be U.P. Wade. J.M. Kreegan is actually J.M. Kreeger. M. Wilkinson is actually Malcom Wilkerson. James Owen[s] and M[ichael] Ganley are both of Co. H, 1st South Carolina Infantry (Butler's). Freeman Willis turns out to be in Company K, 31st North Carolina Troops. Muster Rolls actually show Sergeant John Lee, Co. B. 18th Battalion (Savannah Guards). He turns out to be quite a hero. He was born in Londouderry, Ireland. The record says he was "killed in action at Battery Wagner July 16, 1863" and "killed at Battery Wagner on Morris Island by the explosion of a shell from Monitor". Comments for earlier action on July 11th are also added to his record as follows: "In the fight in the morning of 11th July 1863, Sergt. Jno Lee displayed most gallantly after having shot several of the enemy. Some of the enemy succeded in getting on the Parapet driving the artillery men from one of the guns. The officer tried to rally them but without avail. Sergt. Lee and Corpl. W.E. Guerard and P. Moran and Pvts Jno Sheridan, Jo Brien and U.P. Wade rushed to the gun and fired upon the enemy. Sergt Lee bayoneted one man and took a Capt., a Sergt., and eight men prisoners." The following names are what I found for those listed as wounded above. You will notice the offical muster rolls reveal a slight difference in the names, but they are in fact the soldiers concerned. As many of us know, mispelling of names are very common in the records. Muster Rolls show U.P. Wade, Co. B 18th Battalion Georgia Infantry (Savannah Guards) He had just enlisted on June 21, 1863 at Savannah, Georgia. His muster roll does give details of wound, but does show him "sick" July-August 1863. Muster Rolls show J.M. Kreeger, Co. A,B, and C 18th Battalion Geogia Infantry (Savannah Guards) His muster roll does not give details of wound, but does show him "sick" July-August 1863. Muster Rolls show Malcom Wilkerson, Co. E, 51st North Carolina Troops, wounded left leg. July 17, 1863. Newspaper article shows that he was listed among those wounded in the action on James Island, SC. July 16, 1863. Left leg was amputated, survived the war and lived until 1902. Buried at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Dillon, SC. Muster Rolls show 1st. Sergeant Francis M. McArthur, Co. F 32nd Georgia Battalion. Appears on a list of wounded dated Charleston, S.C. October 4, 1863 - Date of Wound July 16, 1863, remarks slightly. Private James Owens, Co. H, 1st South Carolina Infantry (Butler's) Wounded July 16, 1863, according to his muster roll. He enlisted March 19, 1862 at Charleston, South Carolina. From September- October through July-August 1863 he was on extra daily duty as Company Cook. On July-August 1864 muster roll, he was on detached service at Battery Beaureguard on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. Private Michael Ganley, Co. H, 1st South Carolina Infantry (Butler's) Wounded July 16, 1863, according to his muster roll. Enlisted January 2, 1861, transferred from Co. A, Artillery. He was later captured on March 28, 1865 at Fayetteville, North Carolina, received at Newbern, North Carolina on April 10, 1865 and sent to Company 23 at Hart Island, New York City, New York. He took the oath of allegiance and was released on June 21, 1865. Pvt. Freeman Willis, Co. K, 31st North Carolina Troops [Wounded on James Island, July 16, 1863, by explosion of a shell. This shell also killed Pvt. W.A. Johnson of the same regiment.] The Army OR, Volume 28, Part 1, has a report on page 589. In this report, it mentions two men of the 31st North Carolina Troops were killed. ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Tim Bradshaw - lawtonka@peoplepc.com ______________________________________________________________________