On December 7, the regiment encountered a light defense force on the opposite side of the Ogechee River. The 2nd Iowa was the first to cross the river and skirmished with the enemy along the road for a mile and a half before reaching a barricade. The 2nd Iowa quickly charged the barricade along with the 7th Iowa Infantry and the enemy was driven from the field. In this engagement, two men were killed and two more were wounded, all from Company E.