Battle of South Mills

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Battle of South Mills Camden Began: April 19, 1862 Ended: Same Day Location: Camden County, North Carolina Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition Outcome: Inconclusive (Federal withdrawal) Combatants 21st Massachusetts 51st Pennsylvania 3rd Georgia Commanders Jesse L. Reno Brigadier General, USA Ambrose Wright Colonel, CSA Strength Casualties 114 25

Learning that the Confederates were building ironclads at Norfolk, Burnside planned an expedition to destroy the Dismal Swamp Canal locks to prevent transfer of the ships to Albemarle Sound. He entrusted the operation to Brig. Gen. Jesse Lee Reno’s command, which embarked on transports from Roanoke Island on April 18. By midnight, the convoy reached Elizabeth City and began disembarking troops. On the morning of April 19, Reno marched north on the road to South Mills. At the crossroads a few miles below South Mills, elements of Col. Ambrose Wright’s command delayed the Federals until dark. Reno abandoned the expedition and withdrew during the night to the transports at Elizabeth City. The transports carried Reno’s troops to New Berne where they arrived on April 22.

South Mills (Camden) - 19 April 1862

While the preparations for the siege of Fort Macon were being made another issue came to the attention of Burnside. It was believed that the Confederates were constructing ironclad ships at Norfolk with the intention of passing them down the Dismal Swamp Canal into Albemarle Sound. In an effort to remove this possibility Burnside ordered BG Reno to form a task force with the objective of destroying the locks at South Mills. Reno assembled the necessary troops on Roanoke Island and broke them into two brigades. The First Brigade was made up of portions of the 9th New York, 89th New York, and the 6th New Hampshire under the command of Colonel Rush Hawkins. The Second Brigade was formed with two units from his own brigade; the 21st Massachusetts and 51st Pennsylvania, under the command of LTC Thomas Bell. Four artillery pieces commanded by Col William Howard were also added. Explosives expert Benjamin Maillefert and three wagons of powder for the destruction of the lock were attached. Reno held overall command of the mission.

Hawkins Brigade was landed near Elizabeth City around 0300 and began the march inland. The Second Brigade troops were delayed when their transports grounded in the river and did not arrive until 0700. Despite the four hour headstart the Second Brigade column, with BG Reno, overtook Hawkins' brigade twelve miles out. Hawkins had been lost or been misled by his guides and marched his men in a circuitous route only to arrive back at the main road. An irritated Reno ordered Hawkins to fall his men in behind the Second Brigade. The incident was an omen for the events that would transpire as the united column moved on.

Four miles down the road the march was brought to an abrupt stop by artillery fire from well prepared positions. The Confederate defense consisted of 10 companies of the 3rd Georgia, a small detachment of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and a body of North Carolina militia, commanded by Colonel Ambrose Wright. With only about 750 men at his disposal Wright did his best to enhance his positions with entrenchments. In an interesting and unique effort to deny use of key terrain and to mask his position Wright had a ditch in front of his line filled with flammables and ignited. The resulting smoke made it difficult for Reno to distinguish the limits and strength of his line and prevented its use as defensive terrain. After a brief reconnassaince Reno deployed his units for action. He sent the 21st MA and 51st PA to the right with the idea of turning the enemy left. As Hawkins' brigade came up the two New York regiments were filed off to their support. The 6th New Hampshire was left in support of the artillery. Due to the "excessive fatigue" of the men brought on by the march in oppressive heat the flanking march took time to develop. An over eager Hawkins could not wait and ordered the 9th NY to charge the enemy position over an open field. The attack was crushed by the concentrated fire of the Confederate muskets and artillery.

The failed attack dominated the attention of the defenders and allowed the 6th New Hampshire to gain a position within easy musket range on the enemy right. The unit history describes the ensuing volley as "something wonderful, both in precision and effect." It was enough to convince Wright that his small band had done enough and ordered a retreat. They had stalled the much larger Union force for more than five hours. The Confederates moved back about two miles and manned another line in anticipation of Federal pursuit. Reno, however, had taken stock of the situation and decided to return to the boats. The locks would go untouched and the 1100 pounds of powder intended for the destructive work there was abandoned on the field. It was recovered on the 20th by the Confederates along with "the arms, accouterments, tools, etc. left by the enemy."