POTTERS RAID

• Name	POTTERS RAID  [1]
  Gender	Male
  HIST	click now for > Reflections Main Page On April 5, 1865, Gen. Edward E. Potter left Georgetown with 2,700 troops, including five regiments of infantry; the 25th and 107th Ohio Infantry, the 56th and 157th New York Infantry, 32nd and the 102nd USCT Infantry and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry (an all black unit), a cavalry unit, the 4th Massachusetts, and two pieces of artillery, the 3rd New York Artillery, and a New York Engineer Detachment, to deliver to the already devastated State of Carolina the last blow to its waning resistance. His forces would follow the river road and as the troops approached the small community of Black Mingo, a local militia group would begin to systematically destroy the bridges across the Black River allowing forces along the route to mount a loosely organized resistance. Potter's troops would advance to Kingstree destroying the Northeastern Railroad in the process. They would continue their journey to Manning while the bulk of their supplies were sent up the Santee River to a storage depot at Wright's Bluff. The Union forces destroyed mills, gin houses, cotton, barns and homes in what was once a peaceful and prosperous countryside. The troops were given permission to remove livestock, food, and any possession of value from the plantations they visited along their route. The army was also inundated with hundreds of elated former slaves who eagerly attached themselves to the military column. On April 8, 1865, the union forces arrived in Manning where they would attempt to capture a Confederate scouting party under the command of Lt. Charles Jones. After a brief skirmish, in which one federal soldier was killed, the Confederates were forced to retreat to Sumter along what is now highway 521 with Potter's troops in hot pursuit. The first actual battle of this campaign is preparing to take place just south of Sumter at Dingle's Mill. The arrival of the northern troops was delayed as the bridges over the Pocotaligo swamp, located on the outskirts of Manning, were destroyed by Col. Tom Connors and about 40 Clarendon Militia. On April 9, 1865, Potter's forces are on the march to Sumter and stop at the home of John Bagnal Brogdon where they remove all existing food and burn several barns containing over 1,000 bushels of corn.   JOHN BAGNAL BROGDON Fields rich with peas, fodder, cotton, and rice were put to the torch much to the delight of the newly freed slaves who had attached themselves to the Union Army. The Southern forces quickly organized and prepared to meet the approaching enemy. The resistance was arranged by Col. George W. Lee who ordered the 2nd Regiment to assemble for duty. The force amounted to 80 men who were commanded by Capt. David R. McCallum. The majority of those who stood in opposition to Potter's forces were old men, young boys, the sick and wounded who were home recuperating from wounds and any Confederate regulars who happened to be in the area. The urgent call for help brought a number of combatants from several different locations near the Sumter community. Col. Conners, who had burned the bridges in Manning, arrived with his 40 men; followed closely by Col. James Pressley from Mayesville with 100 men and a considerable amount of supplies he removed from several railroad cars; "Col. Caldwell of Kentucky from Nelson's Ferry across the Santee" who would bring about 120 foot soldiers; Capt. Alex Colclough with another 100 infantry; and finally Thomas R. Brown would provide another 60 volunteers. Two pieces of artillery including a 12 pounder were made available and were under the command of Lt. Pamperya, a member of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans who was convalescing in a local hospital. The other artillery piece was commanded by Lt. W.A. McQueen, whose father was the minister of the First Presbyterian Church. The total number of men who gathered to oppose the Federal incursion amounted to 575 men. This small but determined group stood in the path of a force that numbered over 2,700. The Confederate command of 154 men (the entire force was not concentrated at Dingle's Mill) decided that the most appropriate place for the confrontation was at Dingle's Mill which was located approximately three miles south of Sumter. To slow the northern advance the floodgate of the mill was raised allowing the swamp to flood below the dam making it almost impossible for the Union forces to advance using the usual crossing points. The plan was to force Potter's men to use a narrow causeway thus placing them in a direct line of fire which the Confederates hoped would stop or delay their advance. The union forces were caught by surprise at the intensity of the southern resistance which caused them to halt their advance. It was rumored that the shots discharged at the mill could be heard as far away as Stateburg. The battle lasted some two and a half hours until the union forces were shown a seldom used path through the swamp by a traitor who many believed formally worked at the mill. The Confederates soon found themselves surrounded and after the deaths of Lt. McQueen and Lt. Pamperya the remaining forces saw no alternative but to retire from the field. The battle of Dingle's Mill concluded on the same day as Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, though news of this event did not reach South Carolina for several days. Potter's forces now had an open road to Sumter which he considered to be an important military objective. Prior to advancing on Sumter the Union forces buried 26 of their dead being careful to disguise the actual site which was done by burning tree limbs and several fence rails to cover the freshly turned earth and to destroy the scent of blood hoping to keep animals from digging up the bodies. The people of Sumter began to prepare for the impending occupation by hiding food and valuables in addition to putting on as many clothes as possible in order to keep looters from taking their personal garments. Potter and his troops arrived in Sumter on April 9 and would remain in the city until the 11th. Several cavalry units rode up Main Street to Liberty and then returned to the depot. The white infantry would pitch camp in the Catholic Grove (probably behind what would become McLaurin Junior High School) while the black troops would deploy at the depot (near the present day telephone company). A third camp was established on the road that leads to Providence Township. Many believed that Gen. Potter made his headquarters at the Solomon Home on Main Street; however, history notes that he probably occupied the Altamont Moses home located on Washington Street as well. The destruction of various sites in Sumter began almost immediately as the depot, cotton warehouses, and railroad shops were put to the torch. House to house searches were conducted by members of the 54th Massachusetts (an all black unit) as they looked for contraband and any hidden weapons that could be used against them. The black soldiers were responsible for destroying seven boxcars and a bridge as they advanced on Mayesville and while marching toward Manchester this same group burned a covered railroad-bridge, four boxcars, 200 bales of cotton, a gin house, and a mill overflowing with corn. While in Sumter the 54th Massachusetts were responsible for the destruction four locomotives, 20 boxcars, machine-shops and tracks and trestles extending six miles on each side town. Potter's troops were also responsible for burning the city jails, damaging the courthouse and burning the homes of some of Sumter's most prominent citizens. Many of the downtown shops were vandalized and before the soldiers left town they seized the office of The Watchman, the local newspaper, and used the presses to publish an information sheet which they called The Banner of Freedom. As the soldiers were leaving town they destroyed the printing presses and "scrambled" the type. Potter's forces would depart Sumter on April 11 and would march along the bed of the Wilmington and Manchester railroad until they reached the town of Manchester some 12 miles away. Upon reaching the town Potter would establish his headquarters at the Richard Singleton mansion. His soldiers would set up camp along the road to Stateburg where they would again begin a pattern of destruction of those buildings and facilities which might aid the Confederate cause. In order to complete his mission Potter was required to blow up any military stores, destroy railroads and basically render the area incapable of supplying aid to Confederate forces. His troops set fire to a trestle and destroyed 5 engines, 13 boxcars, a considerable amount of lumber, a turn-table, and several water tanks at Wateree Junction some 5 miles west of Manchester. Three miles further west toward the Wateree Swamp Potter's men would destroy 3 more locomotives and 35 boxcars which were estimated at a value of some $300,000. In an incomplete report Potter estimated that his forces had destroyed 32 locomotives, 250 boxcars, over 100 cotton gins, 5000 bales of cotton and approximately one million feet of lumber. There are written accounts giving examples of his benevolence toward the local Southerners.   MILFORD PLANTATION In one incidence he ordered his personal surgeon to treat an elderly woman who had fallen ill. He also provided medicines and food which increased her chance for survival. He also personally intervened at Milford Plantation, the beautiful home of Governor Manning. He ordered his men not to burn the facility and offered his apologies for any inconvenience he may have caused the Governor and his family. Potter's forces would engage the 9th Kentucky Calvary in Stateburg on April 14 and 15. The Southern resistance proved to be very stubborn and forced the Union forces to detour around Stateburg and head east toward Cherryvale where they were then turned north toward present day Dalzell. The Southern forces would retire and move to Boykin's Mill where they lay in wait for the Northern army. There would be a small skirmish at Spring Hill on April 16 and on April 18th Potter's forces finally arrived at Boykin's Mill. After a short but intense skirmish, the Confederates were forced to retreat and return to Stateburg. The Union forces would destroy the railroad and the majority of the buildings in this small southern hamlet. It was at Boykin's Mill that Lt. Stevens of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment was killed; he was the last known Federal officer to die in the Civil War. On April 18 it thought that Union forces would fire a cannon ball through an upstairs window at the Dixie Hall plantation. This remnant of the war remained on exhibit for several years reminding the local population of the destruction wrought by Potter's forces. Potter would continue to move southward and ran into a small Confederate force at Dinkins Mill which his forces were able to dispatch after a brief skirmish. On April 19 the Union forces would again engage Confederate Calvary at the Battle of Beech Creek. The Confederates are forced again to retreat and history notes that this was the last battle of the Civil War fought in South Carolina. On April 21st the Union Army would arrive at Milford Plantation and it was here that Potter pledged that no harm would come to Governor Manning, his family or the magnificent plantation home. General Potter and his officers were introduced to Manning, his wife and family. The two men continued to carry on a conversation as the Northern forces passed by the home. It was four o'clock in the afternoon on the April 21 that Potter and his forces finally left the grounds at Milford. Less than twenty minutes after the Union forces had vacated Milford a Confederate courier arrived notifying Governor Manning that an armistice had been signed between Generals Sherman and Johnston. The courier was sent by Governor Manning to relay this message to Gen. Potter and his troops and shortly after receiving this information Potter would be notified on April 22 that General Robert E. Lee had also surrendered causing him to cease destruction of Southern property. In two short weeks Northern forces had been successful in destroying the majority of the Sumter District's rail operation, its communication system, and had successfully taken the Sumter community out of the war. Special thanks to Robert Brown for his assistance in preparing this week's Reflections.   [1]
  HIST	click now for > Reflections Main Page On April 5, 1865, Gen. Edward E. Potter left Georgetown with 2,700 troops, including five regiments of infantry; the 25th and 107th Ohio Infantry, the 56th and 157th New York Infantry, 32nd and the 102nd USCT Infantry and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry (an all black unit), a cavalry unit, the 4th Massachusetts, and two pieces of artillery, the 3rd New York Artillery, and a New York Engineer Detachment, to deliver to the already devastated State of Carolina the last blow to its waning resistance. His forces would follow the river road and as the troops approached the small community of Black Mingo, a local militia group would begin to systematically destroy the bridges across the Black River allowing forces along the route to mount a loosely organized resistance. Potter's troops would advance to Kingstree destroying the Northeastern Railroad in the process. They would continue their journey to Manning while the bulk of their supplies were sent up the Santee River to a storage depot at Wright's Bluff. The Union forces destroyed mills, gin houses, cotton, barns and homes in what was once a peaceful and prosperous countryside. The troops were given permission to remove livestock, food, and any possession of value from the plantations they visited along their route. The army was also inundated with hundreds of elated former slaves who eagerly attached themselves to the military column. On April 8, 1865, the union forces arrived in Manning where they would attempt to capture a Confederate scouting party under the command of Lt. Charles Jones. After a brief skirmish, in which one federal soldier was killed, the Confederates were forced to retreat to Sumter along what is now highway 521 with Potter's troops in hot pursuit. The first actual battle of this campaign is preparing to take place just south of Sumter at Dingle's Mill. The arrival of the northern troops was delayed as the bridges over the Pocotaligo swamp, located on the outskirts of Manning, were destroyed by Col. Tom Connors and about 40 Clarendon Militia. On April 9, 1865, Potter's forces are on the march to Sumter and stop at the home of John Bagnal Brogdon where they remove all existing food and burn several barns containing over 1,000 bushels of corn.   JOHN BAGNAL BROGDON Fields rich with peas, fodder, cotton, and rice were put to the torch much to the delight of the newly freed slaves who had attached themselves to the Union Army. The Southern forces quickly organized and prepared to meet the approaching enemy. The resistance was arranged by Col. George W. Lee who ordered the 2nd Regiment to assemble for duty. The force amounted to 80 men who were commanded by Capt. David R. McCallum. The majority of those who stood in opposition to Potter's forces were old men, young boys, the sick and wounded who were home recuperating from wounds and any Confederate regulars who happened to be in the area. The urgent call for help brought a number of combatants from several different locations near the Sumter community. Col. Conners, who had burned the bridges in Manning, arrived with his 40 men; followed closely by Col. James Pressley from Mayesville with 100 men and a considerable amount of supplies he removed from several railroad cars; "Col. Caldwell of Kentucky from Nelson's Ferry across the Santee" who would bring about 120 foot soldiers; Capt. Alex Colclough with another 100 infantry; and finally Thomas R. Brown would provide another 60 volunteers. Two pieces of artillery including a 12 pounder were made available and were under the command of Lt. Pamperya, a member of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans who was convalescing in a local hospital. The other artillery piece was commanded by Lt. W.A. McQueen, whose father was the minister of the First Presbyterian Church. The total number of men who gathered to oppose the Federal incursion amounted to 575 men. This small but determined group stood in the path of a force that numbered over 2,700. The Confederate command of 154 men (the entire force was not concentrated at Dingle's Mill) decided that the most appropriate place for the confrontation was at Dingle's Mill which was located approximately three miles south of Sumter. To slow the northern advance the floodgate of the mill was raised allowing the swamp to flood below the dam making it almost impossible for the Union forces to advance using the usual crossing points. The plan was to force Potter's men to use a narrow causeway thus placing them in a direct line of fire which the Confederates hoped would stop or delay their advance. The union forces were caught by surprise at the intensity of the southern resistance which caused them to halt their advance. It was rumored that the shots discharged at the mill could be heard as far away as Stateburg. The battle lasted some two and a half hours until the union forces were shown a seldom used path through the swamp by a traitor who many believed formally worked at the mill. The Confederates soon found themselves surrounded and after the deaths of Lt. McQueen and Lt. Pamperya the remaining forces saw no alternative but to retire from the field. The battle of Dingle's Mill concluded on the same day as Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, though news of this event did not reach South Carolina for several days. Potter's forces now had an open road to Sumter which he considered to be an important military objective. Prior to advancing on Sumter the Union forces buried 26 of their dead being careful to disguise the actual site which was done by burning tree limbs and several fence rails to cover the freshly turned earth and to destroy the scent of blood hoping to keep animals from digging up the bodies. The people of Sumter began to prepare for the impending occupation by hiding food and valuables in addition to putting on as many clothes as possible in order to keep looters from taking their personal garments. Potter and his troops arrived in Sumter on April 9 and would remain in the city until the 11th. Several cavalry units rode up Main Street to Liberty and then returned to the depot. The white infantry would pitch camp in the Catholic Grove (probably behind what would become McLaurin Junior High School) while the black troops would deploy at the depot (near the present day telephone company). A third camp was established on the road that leads to Providence Township. Many believed that Gen. Potter made his headquarters at the Solomon Home on Main Street; however, history notes that he probably occupied the Altamont Moses home located on Washington Street as well. The destruction of various sites in Sumter began almost immediately as the depot, cotton warehouses, and railroad shops were put to the torch. House to house searches were conducted by members of the 54th Massachusetts (an all black unit) as they looked for contraband and any hidden weapons that could be used against them. The black soldiers were responsible for destroying seven boxcars and a bridge as they advanced on Mayesville and while marching toward Manchester this same group burned a covered railroad-bridge, four boxcars, 200 bales of cotton, a gin house, and a mill overflowing with corn. While in Sumter the 54th Massachusetts were responsible for the destruction four locomotives, 20 boxcars, machine-shops and tracks and trestles extending six miles on each side town. Potter's troops were also responsible for burning the city jails, damaging the courthouse and burning the homes of some of Sumter's most prominent citizens. Many of the downtown shops were vandalized and before the soldiers left town they seized the office of The Watchman, the local newspaper, and used the presses to publish an information sheet which they called The Banner of Freedom. As the soldiers were leaving town they destroyed the printing presses and "scrambled" the type. Potter's forces would depart Sumter on April 11 and would march along the bed of the Wilmington and Manchester railroad until they reached the town of Manchester some 12 miles away. Upon reaching the town Potter would establish his headquarters at the Richard Singleton mansion. His soldiers would set up camp along the road to Stateburg where they would again begin a pattern of destruction of those buildings and facilities which might aid the Confederate cause. In order to complete his mission Potter was required to blow up any military stores, destroy railroads and basically render the area incapable of supplying aid to Confederate forces. His troops set fire to a trestle and destroyed 5 engines, 13 boxcars, a considerable amount of lumber, a turn-table, and several water tanks at Wateree Junction some 5 miles west of Manchester. Three miles further west toward the Wateree Swamp Potter's men would destroy 3 more locomotives and 35 boxcars which were estimated at a value of some $300,000. In an incomplete report Potter estimated that his forces had destroyed 32 locomotives, 250 boxcars, over 100 cotton gins, 5000 bales of cotton and approximately one million feet of lumber. There are written accounts giving examples of his benevolence toward the local Southerners.   MILFORD PLANTATION In one incidence he ordered his personal surgeon to treat an elderly woman who had fallen ill. He also provided medicines and food which increased her chance for survival. He also personally intervened at Milford Plantation, the beautiful home of Governor Manning. He ordered his men not to burn the facility and offered his apologies for any inconvenience he may have caused the Governor and his family. Potter's forces would engage the 9th Kentucky Calvary in Stateburg on April 14 and 15. The Southern resistance proved to be very stubborn and forced the Union forces to detour around Stateburg and head east toward Cherryvale where they were then turned north toward present day Dalzell. The Southern forces would retire and move to Boykin's Mill where they lay in wait for the Northern army. There would be a small skirmish at Spring Hill on April 16 and on April 18th Potter's forces finally arrived at Boykin's Mill. After a short but intense skirmish, the Confederates were forced to retreat and return to Stateburg. The Union forces would destroy the railroad and the majority of the buildings in this small southern hamlet. It was at Boykin's Mill that Lt. Stevens of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment was killed; he was the last known Federal officer to die in the Civil War. On April 18 it thought that Union forces would fire a cannon ball through an upstairs window at the Dixie Hall plantation. This remnant of the war remained on exhibit for several years reminding the local population of the destruction wrought by Potter's forces. Potter would continue to move southward and ran into a small Confederate force at Dinkins Mill which his forces were able to dispatch after a brief skirmish. On April 19 the Union forces would again engage Confederate Calvary at the Battle of Beech Creek. The Confederates are forced again to retreat and history notes that this was the last battle of the Civil War fought in South Carolina. On April 21st the Union Army would arrive at Milford Plantation and it was here that Potter pledged that no harm would come to Governor Manning, his family or the magnificent plantation home. General Potter and his officers were introduced to Manning, his wife and family. The two men continued to carry on a conversation as the Northern forces passed by the home. It was four o'clock in the afternoon on the April 21 that Potter and his forces finally left the grounds at Milford. Less than twenty minutes after the Union forces had vacated Milford a Confederate courier arrived notifying Governor Manning that an armistice had been signed between Generals Sherman and Johnston. The courier was sent by Governor Manning to relay this message to Gen. Potter and his troops and shortly after receiving this information Potter would be notified on April 22 that General Robert E. Lee had also surrendered causing him to cease destruction of Southern property. In two short weeks Northern forces had been successful in destroying the majority of the Sumter District's rail operation, its communication system, and had successfully taken the Sumter community out of the war. Special thanks to Robert Brown for his assistance in preparing this week's Reflections.
  _UID	C5351DAB38144F8BB7310E3BD1E1B8008306
  _UID	C5351DAB38144F8BB7310E3BD1E1B8008306
  Person ID	I248772	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	11 Dec 2009

  
  

  Family	Potters RAID, Sumter, South Carolina
  _UID	AD05E77C90CD4F05BEAF2474FF577C40DDE9
  _UID	AD05E77C90CD4F05BEAF2474FF577C40DDE9
  Family ID	F167953	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	23 Mar 2026

  
  

• Sources

  [S13240] Potter’s Raid.