Battle of James Island (1865)

The Battle of James Island, fought on July 1-9, 1865, was a series of skirmishes and artillery duels fought on James Island, South Carolina, between Confederate and Union forces in the waning days of the American Civil War. Though hostilities technically continued after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865, the situation in the South was rapidly deteriorating for the Confederacy.

The primary Union objective on James Island was to maintain a blockade and prevent any remaining Confederate forces from regrouping or potentially launching any sort of offensive action against Union-held Charleston. Confederate forces, though significantly depleted and demoralized, still held fortifications on the island, particularly around Fort Johnson and Secessionville.

The fighting consisted largely of artillery exchanges and probing attacks. Union forces conducted reconnaissance to assess Confederate strength and defenses, while Confederate troops attempted to disrupt Union activities and maintain control of key defensive positions. There were no large-scale infantry engagements.

By July 9th, the Confederate commander on James Island, Brigadier General Beverly H. Robertson, surrendered his remaining forces to Union Major General Quincy A. Gillmore. This surrender marked the end of significant Confederate resistance in the Charleston area and contributed to the overall collapse of the Confederacy in the region. While the Battle of James Island was relatively small in scale compared to other Civil War engagements, it represented the final act of organized Confederate military action in the coastal South Carolina region.