...ense. The Federal gunboats had control of the Stono river up to the range of Fort Pemberton. This strong work, mounting fifteen heavy guns, commanded the Stono and flanked the defensive line on James island to the west. John's island, on the west side of the Stono, was occupied only by a cavalry picket, and gunboats ran up and down the river with impunity. It was arranged by Generals Beauregard and...