Skirmishing became quite lively, as we neared the town, but we steadily pressed them back until we arrived in full view of the town.
Capt. Rankin was ordered to take his battalion and move to the right and occupy some buildings in the suburbs.
Here the enemy was discovered, drawn up in three lines of battle, but manifesting no disposition to fight save by artillery which threw a few shells at us.
The enemy seeing our advance taking position in so close proximity to them, about faced and commenced moving off.
Col. Garrard on seeing this movement of the enemy ordered a charge.
Capt. Rankin’s battalion was on the extreme right and Company E on the right of the battalion.
Now for the charge. The order was given to forward, and as soon as we crossed a small stream, it was increased to full speed.
Some columns passed through the principal streets, while others passed to the right and left of the town, and on reaching the first line of works beyond the town we captured a great many of the enemy who had taken position there.
At four hundred yards distant from their works, the enemy had planted a battery, and as soon as the confused mass we were driving could be got away, they opened up on us, but to no purpose, for we were now behind our outer line of works.
The works were also thrown up by our men on the retreat from Columbia, but were not so formidable as the first near the town.