The Last Fight For Charleston

The Battle of Grimball’s Causeway [Battle of James Island] was fought February 10^th 1865, and was the last fight for Charleston.

Union troops commanded by Brigadier General Alexander Schimmelfennig made an expedition on February 10^th 1865 to James Island.  Facing them was a small force made up of the 2^nd South Carolina Heavy Artillery, commanded by Major Edward Manigault holding the southern side of the island in rifle pits at Grimball’s Causeway.

On the morning of February 10^th Union gunboats began shelling the Confederates while Schimmelfennig had his troops off loaded.  The 144^th New York Infantry led the attack on the center of the Confederate line, as the 54^th New York Infantry charged Manigault’s right flank.  The Confederates began to give ground, Manigualt was wounded and taken prisoner; he would have to have his leg amputated.

The Union troops took the rifle pits, but would withdraw.  The Confederates would evacuate Charleston, South Carolina and Schimmelfennig accepted the city’s surrender on February 18^th 1865.