Joint reconnaissance to Seabrooks Island, April 14, 1862.

Abstract log of the U. S. S. Pocahontas,

Lieutenant Baich, U. S. Navy, commanding.

April 14, 1862.

From 8 to 12 meridian: Sent our boats ashore and brought off troops. At 11 a. m. got underway and stood down the harbor. Commenced to rain very hard. At 12:10 p. m. anchored in 10 fathoms. At 3:30 p. m. a detachment of troops from the Third New Hampshire and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania regiments, under Captain Van Brunt, with a detachment of marines, with the launches crew, with the howitzer, under the command of Acting Master Phoenix, and the first cutters crew in the flatboat tiler Acting Master McGlensey, covered by the guns of the Pocahontas ,1anded to make a reconnaissance on Seabrook Island, [North Edisto River]. At 7:15 p. m. boats returned; got the howitzer and ammunition on board and got ready for getting underway. At 8:20 got underway and stood upstream. At 8:45 came to off steamboat landing. Put the troops ashore in our boats.

Report of Colonel Fellows, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Edisto Island, S. C., April 15, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the following for the infor- mation of the commanding general: A reconnaissance on Seabrook Island was made yesterday under the cover of the gunboat Pocahontas. The force consisted of a portion of the Third New Hampshire Volunteers and United States marines from the Pocahontas, covering ground which had not been visited by us before, and advancing within a mile of the village of Rockville. It is evident there has formerly been a large picket stationed on the island, but has been withdrawn, there being no evidence of any of late. The rebel picket can be seen at different points between Rockville and Church Flats. A reconnaissance will soon be made by the Pocahontas to Church Flats to ascertain, if possible, the force there. From the intelligence I get from contrabands, this is among the best approaches to Charleston. The distance to Church Flats is 5 miles; from there to Charleston, 15 miles. It is reported a battery of four guns exists at Church Flats. The Charleston and Savannah Railroad is but 2 miles from Church Flats. No intelligence has been received of late from the mainland, but shall use every endeavor to obtain all the intelligence I can. It was reported yesterday morning that the enemy were erecting earthworks at Watts Cut, on Jehossee Island. I immediately ordered the point to be shelled, and sent a detachment from the Third New Hampshire Volunteers, under cover of artillery, on the island. The earthworks proved to be simply a shelter for the picket stationed there. I propose to make a reconnaissance in force on the island in a few days, and am in hopes to capture a few of the enemy on picket opposite Little Edisto Island.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. Q. FELLOWS, Colonel Third New Hampshire Volunteers, Commanding Post.

Lieutenant A. B. ELY,

Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

SOURCE: Official records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. ; Series I - Volume 12: North Atlantic Blockading Squadron (February 2, 1865 - August 3, 1865); South Atlantic Blockading Squadron (October 29, 1861 - May 13, 1862); pages 742-743.