Walton, James M. (fl. 1865) [Orders for U.S. Colored Troops in the campaign on Cole, Battery, and James Islands]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06379 Author/Creator: Walton, James M. (fl. 1865) Place Written: Folly Island, South Carolina Type: Manuscript document Date: 9 February 1865 Pagination: 3 p. ; 30.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Orders indicating the role of Union African American troops during the campaign leading to the 18 February 1865 Union occupation of Charleston, South Carolina. Issued by the command of Colonel A. S. Hartwell. Walton, Assistant Adjutant General at Folly Island, South Carolina, instructs Colonel George William Baird, commanding Pennsylvania's 32nd United States Colored Troops to meet South Carolina's 33rd United States Colored Troops, under command of Captain Danilson, at Cole Island, South Carolina. States that Baird is to assume command of the entire force. Selected men from the 32nd, 33rd, and engineers are to build a bridge from Cole to Battery Island, under cover of gunboats and possibly a Navy ironclad in the Stono River. Encourages Baird to act quickly, to throw forward skirmishers as he proceeds from Cole to Battery to James Island, and to station men in lookout trees. Walton encloses a copy (not present) of the signal code to communicate with the Navy. Baird is to use his best judgment and inform the commanding officer on Cole Island if there is significant resistance by enemy forces. Instructs Baird to avoid beaten paths "to guard against torpedoes," and if necessary, to rebuild the bridge between Battery and James Islands. Instructs Baird's regiment to form a column in support of the main troops. Written on Head Quarters United States Forces stationery.
[Excerpt:]
Your regiment will march quietly to the left of Cole Island, there it will take a position in line or in column near to the bridge and convenient for rapid crossing. At this point you will find a detachment of the 33d U.S.C.T. under the command of Capt. Danilson. You will assume command of the whole and remaing there perfectly quiet until daybreak. you will have the bridge laid with great rapidity covering them in their work with your infantry. The gunboat in Stono River and possibly a Navy Ironclad launch manned with sharpshooters will cover you...at 7 A.M. precisely you will cross to Battery Island with your entire force...In case of any decided resistance from the Enemy, you will act according to your best judgement,,,When possible you will avoid beaten woods and paths to guard against torpedoes. You will leave a few men behind to search roads and paths for torpedoes...
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