during the night and a part of the next day. Gradually, however, public opinion coincided with Admiral Dupont in his decision.

In October of 1862, General O. M. Mitchel, being then in command of the Army of the South, sent out an expedition which, though not primarily directed against the city of Charleston, was intended as an auxiliary demonstration. The Charleston and Savannah Railroad connects these two cities in a line running about forty miles inland, west of Hilton Head. The garrisons established in these two commercial capitals of Georgia and South Carolina had been of much mutual advantage. The railroad furnished a rapid and easy mode of concentration at either point which night be threatened. It was, therefore, desirable to destroy this line of communication permanently, so as to force the rebels to keep a large garrison at both places.

On the 21st of October, Brigadier-General J. M. Brannan, with a force of four thousand four hundred and forty-eight men, left Port Royal in steamers, and proceeded up Broad River to McKay Point, at the junction of the Pocotaligo River, where they arrived the next morning. A small force was then sent to the Coosahatchie River, to destroy the railroad and bridges in that direction. The remainder of the expedition commenced their march to destroy the bridges which crossed the Pocotaligo. They had not advanced more than a mile when they encountered a rebel battery, which opened fire upon them. The rebels, however, were speedily driven from the intrenchments. In their retreat they destroyed behind them the bridges which crossed numerous small streams, thus seriously retarding the progress of the pursuers.

The patriots pressed vigorously, their engineers rapidly reconstructing the demolished bridges, until, after the advance of a mile and a half, they came to a battery of more formidable proportions, which could be approached only by a raised road through a swamp. After an hour of very heroic fighting, during which the assailants suffered severe loss, this battery was also taken, the garrison escaping only by the most rapid flight.

A short distance beyond, at the junction of two roads, the rebels made a third stand on the other side of a bridge crossing the Pocotaligo River. The patriots had met with more serious opposition than they had anticipated. Unfortunately, here their ammunition failed them, and they had to send back to the boats for a fresh supply. The rebels fired the bridge across the river. From behind their well-manned batteries they opened a destructive fire, which rendered it impossible for our troops to cross the stream. In the mean time, reënforcements were rapidly reaching them from Savannah and Charleston.

The situation of the Unionists now became quite precarious. Their ammunition was nearly expended. Their foes were gathering thick and fast. Their further progress seemed completely obstructed. They were utterly exhausted by the long march and incessant fighting of a whole day, and the gloom of night was fast closing in around them. During the long hours of the autumnal night, enough troops might be sent forward from Savannah and Charleston to render their situation desperate. Under these circumstances, General Brannan wisely ordered a retreat. He buried

his dead, took his wounded with him, and successfully reached his gunboats unmolested.

It subsequently appeared that the rebels had been informed of the whole movement, and had made deliberate and ample preparations to meet it. During the fight an incident occurred developing courage and presence of mind worthy of the most honorable record. A rebel shell fell into one of our ammunition-boxes, and lay there smoking and hissing, ready to explode and scatter terrible destruction all around. Artificer Zincks, seeing the danger, seized the shell and threw it into a ditch, where it almost instantly exploded, wounding him. Ilis coolness and courage probably saved many lives.

In the mean time, Colonel Barton, with a force of three hundred and fifty men, had ascended the Coosahatchie River on the steamer Planter. In consequence of the low water, they could only reach a point about two miles below the town of the same name. Here the men were landed, though with some difficulty, in consequence of the swampy nature of the ground. The force advanced, skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry. When about a mile from the town, the whistle of a locomotive was heard, and a train of eight cars appeared. Six were platform cars, crowded with soldiers. Two box-cars contained the officers. They had also two pieces of artillery. The cars were in rapid motion. Colonel Barton immedi ately opened fire upon the train. Quite a number instantly dropped, killed or wounded by the storm of bullets. About thirty Many of these were maimed or killed by the fall. swamp. The patriots picked up from the track thirty stand of arms, an officer's sword and hat, and a flag belonging to the "Whippy Swamp Guards."

sprang from the cars. The rest took to the

The train, however, was not stopped. Rushing on with renewed velocity, as though stung by the wound, it soon disappeared in the distance. The patriot troops then commenced tearing up the road. While this was being done, Colonel Barton pushed rapidly towards the town with the greater part of his force. They soon came to the enemy, formidably posted behind a bridge. They were in numbers so superior to the patriots, that it was not deemed safe to attack them. Colonel Barton, therefore, having first destroyed the bridge, commenced a return to his boat. The rebels cautiously followed, and attempted to annoy him as he was reembarking. They were, however, repulsed with severe loss.

This expedition was to have been led by General Mitchel himself. His serious sickness prevented. The death of this noble man, which soon followed, and which was everywhere regarded as a national calamity, led to the abandonment of any further designs in that quarter.

CHAPTER XXVII.

SIEGE OF WAGNER AND BOMBARDMENT OF SUMTER.

FOLLY AND MORRIS ISLANDS-REBEL FORTIFICATIONS.-PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK.-THE MASKED BATTERIES-THE VIGOROUS ASSAULT.-PURSUIT OF THE REBELS-ANECDOTES.— THE CHARGE UPON WAGNER. THE REPULSE. THE CHARGE RENEWED.-. -ACTION OF THE FLEET-SIEGE-WORKS-THE SWAMP ANGEL.-BOMBARDMENT OF SUMTER-EVACUATION OF MORRIS ISLAND.-ASSAULT OF SUMTER.

AFTER the unfortunate attack upon Charleston, two months of inactivity ensued, relieved only by the capture of blockade-runners. In June, Brigadier-General Quincy A. Gillmore, of the Engineer Corps, was intrusted with the command at Port Royal. His success in the reduction of Fort Pulaski had given him some prestige. Folly Island, a narrow strip of sand fringing James Island, was made the base of operations. This barren reach of sand-hillocks is about eight miles long, running parallel with the coast. At its northern extremity it is separated from Morris Island by a creek called Light-House Inlet. . This latter island, extending due north about five miles, gently bends into Charleston harbor, its extreme northwestern terminus, at Cummings's Point, reaching within two miles of Fort Sumter.

At the southern base of Morris Island the rebels had erected a series of batteries, supported by extensive rifle-pits, to command the erossing of the inlet. Secretly and by night General Gillmore sent heavy guns along to the northern extremity of Folly Island. It was the plan to silence the rebel batteries and land the troops at that point. General Seymour was placed in command of the enterprise. The works were erected under the immediate care of Lieutenants Luter, Maguire, and Wilson, under curtain of the night. The batteries were behind sand-hills, so as not to be visible in the daytime. The rebels had no suspicion of the enterprise which was in movement. The breastworks were composed of sand-bags and timber, with bomb-proofs for infantry supports.

The preparations being all thoroughly made on the 10th of July, this new act in the drama of war was opened. General Strong's Brigade was directed to embark in boats, move up Folly Island Creek, and land on the south end of Morris Island. Lieutenant-Commanding Bunce was to take four howitzer launches and cover the landing of Strong's Brigade by shell

ing the rifle-pits of the foe. Brigadier-General Terry was to ascend the Stono River, and attack James Island as a feint. It was hoped that thus many of the rebels might be drawn away from Morris Island. Another small force was to enter an inlet west of the island, with the design of turning some of the batteries.

On the night of the 9th of July, the sand was shovelled from the embrasures of the batteries, and a crowd of eager spectators stationed themselves in position, where a view of the contest could be gained. At five minutes of five in the morning the first gun was fired, and such had been the secrecy observed, that the enemy were taken entirely by surprise. The first ball struck a gun-carriage, disabling it, and the rebels were instantly seen, like hornets disturbed in their nests, swarming upon their parapets, and looking around in amazement to ascertain from what point the bolt came. In another moment all the guns from the masked batteries were ablaze, hurling their missiles of destruction and death into the works of the foe.

Notwithstanding the complete surprise, the rebels stood their ground manfully. Still the excitement of the sudden and destructive attack was so great, that they fired wildly. Their shot passed over our batteries, and were seen ricochetting far away upon the sand in the rear. In the mean time the gunboats had taken a good position, and inflicted severe punishment upon the rebels, while sharpshooters picked off the men working at their guns.

The howitzer boats opened upon the rifle-pits, near Light-House Inlet, with such effect that the rebels turned the main weight of their guns upon the boats. One boat was sunk. Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman, of the Seventh Connecticut, with a portion of his regiment, was the first to land on Morris Island. Regardless of a very severe fire, he gallantly charged and carried the rifle-pits. In the mean time, General Strong was taking the Sixth Connecticut ashore, in front of the batteries which were not yet silenced. Anxious to inspire his men with his own heroism and eagerness, when he had reached as he supposed near enough to the shore, he was the first to leap overboard. But the water was deeper than he imagined, and he went entirely under. Captain Harral, his aid, jumped after him; but the general, with sinewy arms, struck boldly out, swam ashore, and was the first to land upon the beach. The boats swiftly followed. The men were safely landed, and formed in line under the shelter of some sand-hills.

The order to charge was given. With cheers the men sprang forward, across the marsh, over the rifle-pits, up the bluff, cheered all the way by the huzzas of their comrades who watched them from the other side of the inlet or creek. The guns of the rebel batteries were turned fiercely upon them, but could not check their course. The yards of the gunboats were manned, and the hearty tars waved their tarpaulins and shouted encouragement and admiration, as the storming party took one battery after another, and, pursuing the fugitives, disappeared over the distant undulations of the island.

As soon as possible, the One Hundredth New York, under Colonel

Dandy, the Seventh New Hampshire, under Colonel S. H. Putnam, and part of the Forty-eighth New York Regiment, were landed as reënforcements, and joined in the pursuit of the retreating rebels. At length they came within range of the fire of the powerful forts Wagner and Gregg, on the upper part of the island. The Seventh New Hampshire had never before been under fire, but heroically they discharged all the duties of the perilous hour. About two miles up the island they encountered a battery, which they took by an impetuous charge, and promptly turned the guns upon the swift-footed foe.

General Strong, finding his wet clothes encumbered him in the eager pursuit, threw aside his coat and drew off his boots to pour out the water. Finding it difficult to get his soaked boots on again, he marched forward in his stockings two miles over the burning sand. The men were highly pleased with the novel uniform in which their leader was decked, and expressed their approval in frequent cheers.

stores.

One after another, ten batteries of various sizes were taken. The ene my, as they retreated, burned several buildings filled with commissary A number of guns and a large part of the cargo of the blockaderunner Ruby, which had gone ashore on the island, were captured. One hundred and thirty-nine privates and eleven commissioned officers were marched to the rear as prisoners. Having come within range of the guns of Forts Wagner and Gregg, the column was halted to prepare for a more determined attack. General Gillmore came to the front to reconnoitre, and General Strong was put in command of the island. It was deemed wise, in view of the strength of these formidable forts, to rest for a time, and gather new strength for the desperate assault.

In the mean time the iron-clads were running up along the shore, and about nine o'clock they opened fire upon Fort Wagner, eliciting a vigorous though harmless response. The bombardment continued for several hours, without much damage being inflicted by either party. Admiral Dahlgren, who had succeeded Admiral Dupont as commander-in-chief of the naval force, was on the Catskill, which was struck fifty-two times. The only damage she suffered was in the driving back of a bolt, which just grazed the admiral's head, inflicting however no injury. The troops bivouacked for the night among the hillocks of the marshy island, having made preparation to storm the forts the next morning.

With the early light of the 11th, the Seventh Connecticut, supported by the Ninth Maine and the Seventh Pennsylvania, moved noiselessly along the shore, shrouded in the dim twilight of the morning. Unobserved, they pressed on until the enemy's pickets were encountered, who gave the alarm. A terrible fire was instantly opened upon the advancing patriots. With a shout they rushed headlong into the storm of bursting shells, hand grenades, and rifle-balls, which were hurled upon them. The darkness was however such, that the rebel gunners could not take good aim, and comparatively few were struck down. Not a man flinched. On they rushed, over obstructions into ditches, treading upon torpedoes, until they clambered the parapet and sprang into the works. A hand-to-hand contest of great desperation was now waged. The rebels were gradually driven be