Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

An expedition designed to destroy the Pocotaligo bridge was less fortunate in its results from a series of miscarriages. The naval force, as before, was under Commander Steedman in the Port Royal, and the troops again under the command of General Brannan. Officers commanding naval vessels were assembled on board the Vermont and received instructions as to order of sailing, etc. In aid of the transports, every naval vessel carried an assigned quota of troops. At sunset the vessels proceeded some miles and anchored in the mouth of Broad River. Four armed launches in tow of a small tug carrying one hundred troops were sent in advance to a point some two miles below Mackey's Point, from whence half the force was to proceed to Mackey's, and the other part to Cuthbert's Landing to capture the pickets. The guide to Mackey's was incompetent and the picket was not captured; the other force was successful in that object.

Soon after midnight the signal was made for the vessels to get under way; the Paul Jones with transport De Ford proceeded up the river, apparently without observing the fact that they were unaccompanied. These vessels anchored above Mackey's at 4.30 A. M. The failure of the naval vessels was due to the fact that the Conemaugh, the third vessel in line, did not see the signal to get under way, and when she moved, passed on the wrong side of the lights placed to carry them over shoal ground. She then grounded and disarranged the line, and the Marblehead and Water Witch collided. As a result of these mishaps the vessels did not leave Broad River until daylight; however, they reached Machey's and landed the troops on board by 10 A. M., those on board of the De Ford and the Paul Jones having landed on arrival.

At the request of General Brannan the Uncas proceeded