May 26, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
A scouting part from one of our commands near Bluffton, visited Bull Island last week. They report that every house on the island has been burnt; even the fencing has been torn down, made into heaps and consumed. The property was owned by Col. E.M. SEABROOK and a small portion by Mr. BAYARD, and was originally one of the most magnificent estates in our tide water section. The Yankees were in small force, and bivouacked on the island for several days. The fragments of their commissary stores showed that they were well fed; sardine boxes, preserved fruit cans, &c., could be seen near their bivouac. They also slaughtered some cattle. All the valuable machinery has been destroyed in the conflagration.