March 15, 1861 (Saturday): Affair at Mattis Plantation

Colonel (later Governor) James A. Beaver

MARCH 13, 1862.-Affair at Mattis' Plantation, S. C.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel James A. Beaver, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry

HEADQUARTERS FORT DRAYTON,
Otter Island, S. C., March 15, 1862.
    CAPTAIN: It is my duty to report to you, through your office to the general commanding, the details of an unfortunate occurence which took place on the morning of the 13th instant on the mainland at the plantation of a Mr. Mattis, resulting in the death of Captain Rambo and Corporal Reighand, of Company K, of the Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volumnteers, and the wounding of several others, privates in the same company, one of whom has since died from the effects of his wounds:
    I started on the morning of the 12th instant with parts of three companies of the Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the purpose of reconnoitering the north bank of the Musquito Creek, which has heretofore been occupied by small parties of rebels. With two negro guides we proceed through the entire length of the creek, landing occasionaly at imortant points and making observation in the vicinity, and landing in the evening at the plantation of Mr. Michael Seabrook; our negro guides had formerly belong to Mr. Mattis and had escaped from his plantation but a night or two previous. I examined them separately, and finding that they agreed in their estimate of the number and station of the reble picket, it was agreed, after consultation with the officers who acompanied me, to endeavor to capture them the next morning before daylight. For this purpose I divided the force under my command into three parts, directing Captain Schieffelin, with one of the negro guides, to proceed by a ciruitous route to the rear of the house in which it was supposed the guard was quartered. The contersign given and a signal agreed upon with Captain Rambo should advance from the front the front, surrounding the house, and, if possible, secure the inmates. If he failed in this and the rebels retreated, Captain Schieffelin was ordered to cut off their tretreat in the direction of Willtown. The third part of the force was held as a reserve at the boats. Waiting some twenty minutes after Captain Schieffelin had started, I advanced with Captain Rambo's party, having first thrown out two scouts with instruction to overpower the sentinel at the door as soon as the signal to advance was given. Passing through a gateway I stopped to post two sentinels and give them their instructions, I regairing the main body just as it had received a volley of musketry, resulting as I have already stated. This volley proved to have come from the party in charge of Captain Shieffelin, who explains it by saying that he came to a broken bridge, which he fixed in order to cross; that after he had crossed he observed two men approaching; that he challenged, and that instead of answering they turned around; he then directed his men to fire. The scouts who were in advance say they hear no challenge. They are both wounded, and from the position of their wounds would seem to have their backs to the fire.
    I am, captain, your most obedient servant,



JAMES A. BEAVER,
Lieutenant Colonel Forty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Official Record, Series I., Vol. 53, Part 1, Page 2.

As could be expected with inexperienced troops, friendly fire incidents such as this were not infrequent.  Beaver was an outstanding officer.  A lawyer before the war, he joined as a second Lieutenant, serving under Andrew Curtin, later governor of Pennsylvania.  He joined the 45th PA when it was organized as Lieutenant -Colonel.  He was wounded at Chancellorsville, fought at the Wilderness, was one of the first men to breach the Confederate lines at Spotsylvania Court House, was in the assaults at Cold Harbor, was wounded at Petersburg, and after being wounded once more at Ream's Station finally retired as a brevet Brigadier-General after having a leg amputated.  After the war he again practiced law, was on the board of trustees of Penn State University, served as acting President, and from 1887 to 1891 was governor of Pennsylvania. Beaver Stadium, home of the Nittany Lions, is named after him.