It rained quietly nearly all day, and we remained in camp
until 1 p. m., when we received marching orders. Our division under General
Giles E. Smith then made ready to wade and swim the river midway between the
two bridges. The river is one and one-fourth miles wide, having at least one
hundred and thirty-three different channels or branches, from two to four feet
deep. It took us an hour and a half to cross over, General Smith leading on foot,
for no horse could go across. We were not allowed to talk or let our
accouterments make any noise. We found the rebel pickets on the opposite side,
but they fired only a single shot each and made for tall timber. We remained
here on guard. The First and Third Divisions crossed the river above us and
also drove in the rebel pickets.1 Our teams and batteries were left
in the rear.
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1 Our division, after
successfully crossing the river, effected a lodgment on the main Charleston
road Just before the arrival of eight regiments which had been sent up to make
good the enemy's position at this bridge.—A. G. D.
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