The Savannah - Charleston Railroad was a vital link of supplies and troops to the South.
The Union Commanders ordered General Foster to cut rail line at or near Grahamville, SC. On the night of November 28,1864 the 54th Massachusetts, the 55th Massachusetts, the 32nd, 35th, 102nd and the 144th New York Regiment boarded vessels at Hilton Head Island South Carolina with orders to proceeded up the Broad River to a place known as Boyd's Landing. A thick fog settled over the river about one hour into the trip, the Ships became lost, some turned into the Chechesee River by mistake, some ships lay anchor until the fog lifted. One November 29, 1864 the first ship arrived at Boyd's Landing around 7:00a.m. and the last about 12:30 pm on the 30th of November. The first ashore began a march about five miles towards what they believed to be Grahamville, SC but again they were lost. They proceeded with two Mountain Howitsers to march towards Coosawhatchee,SC and came to a place known as Bee's Creek.There they met light resistance, and realizing their mistake, retraced their steps and took the right fork in the road. Again they were lost and retraced their steps again to the sight of the old Euhaw Church. The Marines had pulled the two Howitsers by hand for almost fifteen miles at this point and so they bivouacked at the {?? white church?? The Euhaw church was white but in the language of the times they may have meant the white peoples church.} for the night. (please note: there are two churchs mentioned in the field reports: 1. The Euhaw Church on Hwy 478 1.5 miles from the crossroads of Honey Hill Road and 478, next to the present day sight of the Zion Church. 2. The Bolan Church at the crossroads of Honey Hill Road and 478. The building still stands in the woods just below Coolers Store.)
At about 9:00 am on the 30th day of November 1864 they proceeded on towards Grahamville SC. Disaster awaited them.

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The Union Commanders

Major General Gustavus W. Smith

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Col. Charles Colcock

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The Troops

Federal Troops: 5520

Confederate Troops: 1400

The Battle

Five miles west of Boyd's Landing, the Union Force approached a 25-foot topographic rise known as Honey Hill upon which Confederate troops had constructed earthworks. Although the Confederate Troops were outnumbered, the elevated position, advantage of surprise, fortified entrenchments and heavy guns of the Confederate forces contributed to a decimation of the Federal troops, who withdrew in defeat following a fierce battle.
Col. Charles Colcock commanded about 1400 Confederate Troops at Honey Hill. Honey Hill is a topographic rise on the road from Old House to Grahamville. The King of Spades (General Robert E. Lee as he was called by his troops for his prodisious orders to dig) had foreseen the need for this earthwork some three year prior. The fort looks down on a small creek and swamp marsh that extends some 300 yards in front. The water level is aproxmatily 18 inces in this area and below a soggy bottom. Through the middle of the Earthwork runs the road. With six or seven canons in place a small army could hold off a much greater force with ease.
At about 10 am November 30, 1864 the Confederate troops of the Georgia State Milita commanded by Major General Gustavus Smith arrived by train at Grahamville Station. (This location today is just beyond the farmers market in Ridgeland. When the Savannah-Charleston Railroad was built the people of Grahamville refused to have it closer than a mile from town. Hence the location is as described.)
When Major General Gustavus Smith arrived at Honey Hill he refused to take charge from Col. Colcock as the situation was well in hand. "Col. Colcock was everywhere we looked that day, on horse back and on foot, on the left flank and on the right, standing on top of the earth works with sword in hand." A slauter pen was below and to the left of the road. Union dead covered to road and blood soaked the sandy soil. A local ledgend says "one could walk on the dead for over a mile without touching the road." After noon Major General Gustavus Smith employed 1400 marksman on the left flank and things really turned bad for the Union Troops.

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Hell on Earth

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In Colonel Hartwell’s words: "We came upon them, heavily entrenched behind an earthwork, and a battery of field pieces.The leading brigade had been driven back, when I was ordered in with a portion of my brigade; and I was also knocked out. I was hit first in the hand just before making a charge, then my horse was killed under me, and I was hit afterwards several times while they were taking me to the rear. One of my aides, Captain Crane, was killed, and another, Lieutenant Hill was blown from his horse by a concussion of a shell and taken to the rear. During the furious fight, the Color-bearer was shot and killed and it was Private Andrew Jackson Smith (later promoted to Color- Sergeant),who would retrieve and save both the State and Federal flags."

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Why the miscount of the dead?

The election was over and President Lincoln had won a political victory against the General. The outcome of the Race for the Presidency was well know through all states, but some races for the Senate, and House were still up in the air on December 4, 1865. The Union needed no bad news from the field at this point as "a house divided against itself could not stand. Therefore this could be the one reason for the difference in the body count.
Another contributing factor was the south had lost the war at this point although some may not have seen it. The south needed a great face saving victory and Honey Hill was at least part of this solution.

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The Casualties by Federal Accounts

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Coast Division.....Officers.......................Enlisted

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...................Killed..Wounded..Mising......Killed..Wounded..Mising

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First Brigade..........2.......28.......1...........54......400......14
Second Brigade.....3.......10.......1...........28......160.......8
Naval Brigade........0........0.......0............1........7.......4
Artillery Brigade.....1........2.......0............0.......12.......0
Cavalry..................0........0.......0............0........1.......0

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Sub Total..............6.......40.......2...........83......589.....26

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Total Killed.....: 89
Total Wounded....:629
Total Missing....: 28

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Signed John P. Hatch, December ? 1864

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Authors note: In check the wide disparity in the two reports of casulties I researched the graves in the Beaufort National Cematary and found that over 80 soldiers of the 144th New York Died on November 30, 1864. Their were no other major engagments on November 30, 1864 and misteriously the 144th shows in battle of Coosawhatchee (only five miles away from Honey Hill) December 6, 1864. The 144th New York was a brave lot, and they could have fallen on the left flank on November 30, 1864. If I am right history must retrace it steps and give these brave men the due. The 144th New York was a partially black regiment and like it or not the North and South did not give the same weight to the death of a black soldier. Martin H. Baldwin

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The Casualties by Confederate Accounts

General Gustavus W. Smith reports: Our loss in every arm of service was 8 men killed and 42 wounded. The enemy left over 200 of their dead upon the field, and their whole loss in killed and wounded is believed to be upward of 1000.

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Honey Hill Battle Site

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Map below shows the area with plenty of landmarks for driving. Note: The State historical marker states that "about 1 mile from here the battle of Honey Hill took place" when infact you are standing in the middle if the earthwork as you read this sign. Do not go on the Earthwork without permission which is rarely granted. It is a private plantation well guarded. You can see the earthworks from the side of the road. Thanks Martin I-95 to the Grahamville exit. Through the town of Grahamville, stay on State Hwy 278 and about 1.8 miles from Grahamville you will come to a sharp bend in the road. You will see the Historical Marker here.

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After the Battle

In December 1864 Savannah was taken by General Sherman. The 55th stayed encamped at Boyd’s Landing until January 11, 1865. Colonel Hartwell recouperated from his wounds in the Beaufort Navy Hospital and rejoined his troops in Savannah in March.

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marc_h_b@rocketmail.com
MARTIN BALDWIN
34 COOSAW RIVER DR
BEAUFORT, SC 29902
United States