December 1st to 7th.—Regiment moved to Secessionville, and encamped between the line of houses and the marsh towards the north. The field and staff officers occupied houses. Headquarters were in the red-top house owned by Mr. Lawton. The post was under my command. The garrison consisted of the Twenty-fifth South Carolina volunteers, and two companies of the Second South Carolina artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Brown.
This place had been greatly strengthened since we occupied it last July. Strong breastworks and formidable batteries had been built along the creek south of the peninsula, and just in front of the line of houses. A large bomb-proof had been constructed about one hundred and fifty yards northwesterly from Lawton's House. Battery Lamar, across the neck of the peninsula, had been put in first-rate condition; in fact, the post was in a thoroughly defensive state.
December 9th.—The quiet of the post was disturbed this evening. A steamer of the enemy's, going from the creek or river which separates Folly Island from Taylor's and James Island towards Folly Inlet, passed between this post and Long Island, opposite this place. I ordered fire on her, but think that she was not hit. The enemy returned our fire from a battery near Folly Inlet. The enemy used percussion shells from long-range rifled guns. Some of their shells passed over us and fell in the marsh beyond, some fell in our camp, but very few exploded, and no damage was done. It was very evident that the enemy's guns were of longer range than ours.
December 10th, 1863, to March 10th, 1864.—Some time before the assault of Fort Sumter, of 8th of September, Colonel Rhett and his command (the First South Carolina regular artillery) were relieved