Diary account
of an unfortunate incident
On Feb. 23, 1865, a detachment of the 56th New York Volunteers under Maj. Eliphas Smith burned down the Middleton Place plantation along the Ashley River Road, near Charleston, S.C. The following is a diary excerpt from Henry Orlando Marcy, regimental surgeon of the 35th U.S. Colored Troops, who witnessed the destruction.
1865 -- Carolina Campaign -- Vicinity around Charleston
Sunday, February 19th
Still pleasant. No rations, no breakfast. Col. Beecher* held morning services as formerly. The men rejoice that Col. Beecher is again with them and no other officer of the regiment has so strong a hold upon their affections.
(*NOTE: Lt. Col. James Beecher was the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." He had been severely wounded at the Battle of Honey Hill, in which the 56th New York also was engaged, in late 1864.)
P.M.- Major Bardwell and I rode some miles up the river to one of the Hayward Plantations. A large number of old colored people were also here. The boats have all been destroyed. The Negroes capable of doing service have been removed up country and the grain has been transported. The large barns are filled with straw and [cotton?].
The Chas. Hayward Plantation opposite was not visited because the bridge across the river had been destroyed. The rice fields upon the river are said to be the finest in the state. Returned at dark, rations arrived. Marching orders, for tomorrow morning early. Col. Beecher has brought a servant with him who used to live here. He has been to the old home and returned with two horses.
Monday, Feb. 20
Marched at daylight, roads bad. The Confederates have been using the roads transporting heavy burdens and [cannon]. Our baggage train delayed. Our commisariet [sic] department was a long distance behind and we had nothing for dinner except a big iron pot of chicken soup, which was attached to my cart. We were enabled to make some coffee and warmed up our soup, but had no dishes in which to serve it. In default of this, I had it put into a large porcelain wash bowl, which I chanced to have in the cart. The soup was made dark brown, by standing in the iron kettle and the Col. unfortunately said he could not eat it, for it reminded him of the washbowls on the steamers used by the sea sick passengers. Not even our soldiers would eat it and our otherwise splendid chicken soup had to be thrown away. Secured an extra horse.
Photographed at Middleton Place, Charleston, South Carolina
Aerial view of Middleton Place grounds. The three-story main house, which was destroyed in February 1865, was built around 1730. At upper left is gentlemen's guest quarters, built in 1755, the only surviving building on the plantation. Today, it is the House Museum. Below is a circa 1841 sketch of the main house, flanked by two identical smaller buildings, one of which is the guest house.
Tuesday, Feb. 21st
Marched at daylight. Our boys captured an old horse which served to carry the Colonel. His wound troubles him to walk. One mile beyond we came to Major King[']s house, which we found in flames; having been fired by the 107th Ohio, which encamped here last night. Waited for further orders and our horses which were with baggage. Here I captured a horse and rode in advance to Adams Run Station. Here found a lot of artillery wagons, caissons and [cannon] partially destroyed by fire[,] and a lot of fixed ammunition.
Met a boy who said his father and another man were two miles beyond with two horses and a caisson. I gave chase and soon came upon a man who was running away with a horse and cart. I was miserably mounted and had a very laughable chase and compelled them to return with me, three horses and three men. Still obliged to wait for completion of the bridge. Take a small party and proceed to a neighboring plantation where I obtained three good horses, a load of potatoes, two hundred pounds of tobacco and [coffee]. Took line of march and camped near Beckett[']s plantation in the Pine Woods. Reported Beckett[']s place practically destroyed.
Photographed at Middleton Place, Charleston, South Carolina
The 65-acre gardens at Middleton Place, the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States
Wednesday, Feb. 22nd
Marched early. Our command still has the advance. I called upon Mr. Beckett who had remained home with his family. Our scouting party did not damage his property, but they told the slaves that they were now free and might take what they liked from the house. On our arrival, they ransacked the house thoroughly. I had the house protected by the guard and assured the family that no harm should come to them. Saw one very pretty slave girl and learned that she was Beckett's daughter. Mr. Beckett is a very intelligent man and a bitter rebel.
Halted at noon at Stono River Bridge. Bridge burned, strong fort here. Mounted with heavy guns. We learned that two miles up the river is another bridge still standing at Lowndes plantation, where we went into camp.
At Combahee Ferry we heard it rumored that Charleston was evacuated, but did not believe it and hence we have been marching as fast as possible hoping to be the first of our forces to enter the city. We were just four days behind the forces from Folly Island, who occupied the city on the 18th. We shall remain here for a few days and collect the guns and other military material from the neighboring Forts. General Hatch with a small escort, pushes on to the city only fifteen miles away.
The Lowndes plantation is a noted one. A fine old mansion with splendid grounds and excellent rice fields.
Photographed at Middleton Place, Charleston, South Carolina
The stable yards at Middleton Place
Camp of the 1st Brigade, Lowndes plantation
Thursday, Feb. 23
Second and third brigades have moved on to Charleston. We send out four or five detachments to bring in the guns left in the various Forts. One of our foraging parties under Capt. Armstrong was met by Major [Eliphas] Smith, of the 56th New York Volunteers who was commanding a detachment ordered to burn the Middleton home. Major Smith ordered Captain Armstrong with his party to return. The Captain submits, more tame than usual and returns.
With my orderly I push on to visit the Middleton place which is only two or three miles away on the Ashley River. Near the entrance, I met with an incident which came near ending the adventure. Slowly and with my orderly close behind and keeping a sharp look out, for here one never knows when he may meet the enemy. When I heard the sharp click of a gun lock and about fifty feet away two guns were protruding from the thicket. Quick, decisive action was necessary. To turn was sure to draw their fire, and they were more likely to miss us, if I managed a bold front; when out stepped two of my own men in a tremor, saying they were about to fire when they recognized us. I think the great secret of my bravery was that I did not have time to be afraid.
I learned that three soldiers were former slaves of Mr. Middleton and for more than two years they had heard nothing from their families and had stolen from camp the night before fifteen miles away. They had a regular ovation at the plantation, where they had spent the night with their friends. We continued on, to the plantation, which was a great mansion house, perhaps the most celebrated in the State. We learned afterward, that in Colonial days, it had been built from bricks brought from England and had remained in the family since the first settlement.
The history of the Middleton's is illustrative of the most attractive side of Slavery. The most distinguished of the immediate ancestors was Arthur Middleton. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a General in the Revolutionary Army and was one of South Carolina's most influential leaders. ...
... My orderly and I mounted our horses and silently rode away. I could not be witness to such destruction. On my way to the Plantation, I met Isaac who was just returning with several wagons and mules which Mr. Middleton had placed in his care loaded with valuable things to be sent to his upper country place. He was placed under the supervision of a lieutenant with a battery and the second day out thinking it all over, Isaac felt that it would be decidedly for his _______.
______ returning to camp, we visited the Drayton Place, also the home for three generations of a most distinguished family. The great driveway leading to the house was through a double row of Live Oaks, of two centuries['] growth fantastic with a gray moss common to the South. Its interlocking branches almost shut out the sun-light. These Oaks are said to be the finest grove in the South. The many acres of gardens devoted to azalies [sic] in variety and beauty, equal if they do not rival the Middleton gardens. The manor house at the Drayton plantation was not burned [and would be the only such house in the area so spared]. It was built of brick, of two stories with a hip roof, and would have been considered very elegant if not compared with the finer Middleton House.
Friday, Feb. 24
This morning the General bitterly criticized the Major and his New York troops for having exceeded his instructions at the Middleton place and ordered me to take a detachment of the 35th U.S. Colored Troops and ascertain, if in anyway, I could relieve the Slaves from possible suffering. With two companies we returned to the Middleton plantation, collected the Colored people and advise them as to their condition and what they had better do. Such as desire to go to Charleston leading their belongings upon the boats at the plantation.
Finely [sic] all the principle [sic] buildings were burned and are now a mass of smoldering ruins. Tis very sad. Yesterday it was perhaps the finest place in South Carolina and the finest country place I have ever seen; now all destroyed.
Photo courtesy Middleton Place, Charleston, South Carolina
The ruins of Middleton Place, taken before the great earthquake of 1886.
(Diary transcript provided by Craig Hadley, director of education and research, Drayton Hall, Charleston, S.C.)
On the way to Middleton Place:
The 56th New York and Drayton Hall
Photos above courtesy Drayton Hall
Courtesy David "Duke" Culberson
Before marching to Middleton Place, the 56th New York first stopped at Drayton Hall, a plantation whose mansion, pictured here, was completed in 1742. For reasons that still are not clear, the mansion was not destroyed. Family legend says the building was spared because its occupants posted flags at the entrance to the property to indicate it was a smallpox hospital, thus scaring away Federal troops; this claim has not been substantiated. In any event, the 56th New York marched a short distance north on the Ashley River Road to Middleton Place (see map below), which wasn't so lucky.
