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in the Stono fired on our picket line.
Colonel Goodlet, of the Twenty-second South Carolina volunteers, who was in command of the Confederate pickets, rode boldly up to the Federal picket line and demanded an explanation.
As soon as the Federal general could be communicated with, he sent an apology.
The shots had been fired by a naval officer who had not been advised of the armistice.
June 19th.—Battalion on picket line to-day.
Relieved Nelson's battalion.
Headquarters at the cross-roads, Colonel Simonton in command.
I was in command of the advanced pickets, with headquarters at the forks of the road between the Presbyterian church and Grimball's. The enemy were perfectly quiet all day and night.
Their drums, bands and trumpets were distinctly heard.
Terrific thunder storm during the night.
The mosquitos fearfully troublesome.
Some kind ladies of Charleston had provided us with coverings for our heads made of pavilion gauze.
The heat was so great that sometimes we could not use these coverings.
June 20th.—The battalion was relieved by Goodlet's regiment, Twenty-second South Carolina volunteers.
June 23d.—Battalion again on picket line.
Some of the reserves at the Episcopal church and a part at the Presbyterian church.
Our line was now from a point in front of the bridge across New Town creek, in a southwesterly direction to meet the pickets in front of Secessionville.
The enemy's pickets and ours in sight on some portions of the line.
They tried to open communications with our pickets, but were not encouraged.1
June 24th.—Relieved by the Twenty-second South Carolina volunteers.
June 25h.—All quiet along the lines to-day.
Not a gun fired.
The works at the cross-roads, commenced some time ago, approaching completion.
June 26th.—Something, which was not communicated to the troops at the front, induced General Pemberton to expect an attack upon our entrenchments.
Accordingly, the battalion was roused at 3 o'clock this morning and remained in line on the color-front till after daylight.
June 27th.—Battalion on picket to-day.
Five companies under
1 Later in the war a much better understanding was established between pickets, but on James Island we never exchanged as many civilities as our army in Virginia and the Federal pickets are said to have done.
Richmond, VA. 1888.
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