Battle of Dingle's Mill

Battle of Dingle's Mill. April 9, 1865. While Lee was surrendering, one of the last battles of the Civil War took place., General Edward E. Potter's Union troops arrived in Georgetown on April Sth to begin their march inland, along what is US 521 today, to destroy valuable warehouses, railroad lines, and supplies. The first real battle took place here, south of town, at Dingle's Mill on Easter Day. With no regular Confederate units in the area, Sumter was determined to make a stand against the invading Union troops. They assembled a small force 154 men made up of an assortment of groups including Col. George W. Lee's 20th S.C. Militia, the 44th Clarendon Militia, and local hospital convalescent soldiers. They chose to make their stand here where a creek and swamp cut the roads into town. It was also the most direct route into Sumter., Lt. McOueen, a son of a Sumter minister, commanded one cannon facing the causeway. To the right, masked behind the pines and brush, Lt. Painpare, an artilleryman from New Orleans who had been recovering from wounds in Sumter hospital, commanded second gun., When the Union troops arrived, Lt. McQueen and Lt. Painpare opened fire with their guns. Potter brought up his artillery and returned fire. One of the first rounds struck Lt. McQueen, killing him where he stood and silencing his gun. Potter then ordered the men of the 25th and 107th Ohio regiments forward to take position for a direct assault, but the Confederate fire raked the causeway, driving the attackers back. The Union troops tried a second assault, but again were driven back., Surprised at the stubborn defense, Potter ordered his 56th and 157th New York regiments to the left to try and flank the defenders. The New York units worked their way through the swamp below the mill dam and finally emerged from the woods about 400 vards on the Confederates' right., Col. George W. Lee's militiamen, discovering the new threat, reformed their line and fired into the advancing Union force, but they were driven back by heavy counterfire., Lt. Painpare was also mortally wounded, silencing the last Confederate cannon. Their guns out of action and position turned, the Confederates fell back toward Sumter, making one more stand by a rail fence until finally being driven off the field. Six Confederates lost their lives eight were wounded, and two were captured. Three Union troops lost their lives and 23 were wounded., Order of Battle , 1. First Assault Lt. McQueen and Lt. Painpare open fire on Union troops as they approach Dingle's Mill., 2. Return Fire , Gen. Potter returns fire,and one of the first rounds mortally wounds Lt. McQueen where he stands., 3. Union Flank , After being driven back by a second assault, Potter orders the 56th and 157th NY Regiment to flank defenders by cutting through the swamp., 4. Retreat , The flank overpowers Lt. Painpare, causing his death. Confederates fall back to Sumter, making one last stand before being driven off the field., Aftermath , Following the battle Potter's men occupied Sumter and spent the next day destroying railroad property, the jail, and newspaper presses See the other side for additional stops on Potter's Raid., Did You Know? , Approximately 620,000 soldiers died from combat, accidents, starvation and disease during the Civil War., On This Site , Union Tribute , This spot is dedicated to the memory of three Union soldiers - Pvt Edward Bristol, Pvt William Post, and Pyt William Utter, - who were killed and buried in a common grave somewhere on this battlefield., Confederate Tribute , This marker lists the names of the Confederate soldiers killed, wounded, captured during the battle., Two Cannons , Lt. William Alexander McQueen of Sumter and Lt. Raphael Painpare, a patient of Sumter hospital and artilleryman from New Orleans, commanded two cannons like these. Both Lt. McQueen and Lt. Painpare lost their lives during the fight.