Secessionville, SC

[Courtesy of The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources]

Campaign(s): Operations against Charleston (June 1862)

Battles in Campaign:

• Secessionville, SC - June 16, 1862 B

• Simmon's Bluff, SC - June 21, 1862 D¹

Date(s): June 16, 1862

Commanders:

• Union: Brig. Gen. Henry Benham

• Confederate: Brig. Gen. Nathan Evans  

Principal Forces:

• Union: 6,600

• Confederate: 2,000

Description:

• Early June 1862, Maj. Gen. David Hunter transported Horatio G. Wright’s and Isaac I. Stevens’s Union divisions under immediate direction of Brig. Gen. Henry Benham to James Island where they entrenched at Grimball’s Landing near the southern flank of the Confederate defenses.

• On June 16, contrary to Hunter’s orders, Benham launched an unsuccessful frontal assault against Fort Lamar at Secessionville.

• Because Benham was said to have disobeyed orders, Hunter relieved him of command.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 685

• Confederate: 204

Results: Confederate Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

• Battle of Secessionville

• The Battle of Secessionville - Confederate Heritage Trust 

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009