Johns Island, S.C., in the Civil War: Another Battle There Called Battle of Bloody Bridge-- Part 3

From Wikipedia

The Battle of Bloody Bridge, also known as Burden's Causeway, tool place on Johns Island in July 1864.  The site of the battle is located off today's River Road, just north of the Charleston Executive Airport.

On July 2, 1864, Brigadier General John Hatch's federal troops landed at the Legareville section of Johns Island.  He wanted to cross Johns island, then cross the Stono River and then lay siege on James Island.

Union troops met with Confederates where the creek turns into swamp.  Around 2,000 South Carolina troops held off a U.S. force numbering around 8,000.

After three days of action, the Federals left the island.

--Old B-Runner

Legareville in the Civil War and Johns Island-- Part 2

In August 1864, , Major John Jenkins, commander of Confederate forces on Johns Island, decided to burn the village to prevent further plunder and use by Union forces.

He reported to higher authorities that when he announced he was going to do this, the Stono Scouts, a military group made up of property owners of Legareville, announced that they would help.  This, Johns Islanders destroyed their own summer homes to prevent their use by Union forces.

JOHNS ISLAND

Legaraeville is on Johns Island, the largest island in the State of South Carolina.  It is the fourth largest island on the U.S. east coast, surpassed in size only by Long Island, Mount Desert Island and Martha's Vineyard.

It is 84 square miles.

The Stono Slave Rebellion took place on Johns Island in 1739 and during the American Revolution, British forces occupied it on their way to capturing Charleston.

--Old B-R'er

Where Is Legareville? It's History and the Civil War-- Part 1

From Johns Island Conservancy  "Legareville"

Since I have been writing about this place and that battle so much this month, here is a little background.

The town is at the confluence of the Stono and Kiawah rivers in South Carolina, near Charleston.  It was a summer resort for plantation owners on Johns Island. and had two dozen  dwellings and two churches.  

At the beginning of the Civil War, the village was evacuated by order of Robert E. Lee, commander of the Department of South Carolina at the time.  The Union navy stationed gunboats off the village throughout the war, including the USS Marblehead , which, as you know, was surprise attacked by Confederate forces on Christmas Day, 1863.

Subsequently, Union forces landed at various times to dismantle the houses of Legareville to use for their camp at Folly Island.

--Old B-Runner