May 20, 1862: Action on the Stono River, S.C.

MAY 20TH, 1862:  Union gunboats occupied the Stono River above Cole's Island, South Carolina, and shelled Confederate positions there.  Flag Officer Du Pont reported to Secretary of the Navy Welles:  "The Unadilla, Pembina, and Ottawa, under Commander Marchand ... succeeded in entering Stono and proceeded up the river above the old Fort opposite Legareville.

"On their approach the barracks were fired and deserted by the enemy....  This important base of operations, the Stono, has thus been secured for further operations by the army against Charleston...."

--Old B-Runner