Battle of Secessionville  "A Union Disaster"  June 16, 1862

Union Gen. Henry W. Benham began landing his two divisions on James Island, south of Charleston, SC., on June 2, 1862. "Doom hangs over wicked Charleston," wrote the New York Tribune. "That viper's nest and breeding place of rebellion is, ere this time, invested by Union Arms-perhaps already in our hands." The Union would try to capture the city by approaching it from land, forgoing the naval approach past the cannon at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Though the Confederate land defenses were in fact weak, Benham thought them to be many times the number of Rebel troops actually available for the defense of the city.

Gen. Nathan G. Evans, commander of the Rebel forces on James Island, strengthened his five-mile-long line. The strongest part was a fort under the command of Col. Thomas G. Lamar at the hamlet of Secessionville, where there was an artillery battery composed of two 24-pounder rifled cannon, several 18-pounders, an 8-inch columbiad, and a mortar. On June 11 Union Gen. David Hunter instructed Benham to carry out a reconnaissance on James Island-but not to initiate a general engagement.

At 4:00am on June 16, one of Benham's divisions, 3,500 men under the command of Gen. I.I. Stevens, attacked the Confederate position at Secessionville. The attack was repulsed within 15 minutes. By the time the federal forces had regrouped to mount another charge, General Evans had arrived with reinforcements to bring the Confederate strength up to 2,000. Benham brought his other Union division, 3,000 men commanded by Gen. H.G. Wright, up on his left to cover his flank and twice again attacked the fort. Each assault was fierce but unsuccessful. By 10:00am the fierce little Battle of Secessionville was over.

Benham stopped the attacks and ordered a retreat. The federals sustained losses of 107 dead, 487 wounded, and 89 captured; the Confederates lost 52 killed, 132 wounded, and 8 missing.

Fascinating Fact: General Benham was informally charged with disobedience for bringing on the disastrous Battle of Secessionville and was mustered out of the service in August 1862.


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