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.

One after another, ten batteries of various sizes were taken. The enemy, as they retreated, burned several buildings filled with commissary stores. 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

hind such protections as the interior of the ramparts afforded. The Seventh Connecticut led in this heroic charge.

The Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania pressed on close behind. But in the increasing light the rebels had got a better range, and they were exposed to a more destructive fire. In the absence of their colonel, who was sick, for a moment they wavered; but Major Hicks promptly rallied them. Again they rushed in through such a staggering tempest of mutilation and death, that but few reached the parapet. The Ninth Maine, seeing how matters stood, and that it was impossible with the force they had to carry works which were proved to be so strong, commenced a retreat. The Connecticut troops, with the few from Pennsylvania who had joined them, were now in an appalling condition. Every moment they were falling before the unerring rifles of the foe. Their commander was severely wounded, and no reënforcements could come to their aid. It was impossible for them without support to hold the works into which they had plunged. A retreat was of necessity ordered. It became a fearful race for life. The rebels turned their guns, charged with grape and canister, upon them, and the patriots fell in dreadful slaughter.

Nearly a week passed away, during which time both parties looked sternly at each other, each preparing for a renewal of the strife.

While the rebels were strengthening their works, the patriots were busy throwing up intrenchments, that they might permanently hold the ground which they had gained. It will be remembered that General Terry was to make a diversion on James Island. In this he was quite successful. Landing under cover of five gunboats, near a little hamlet called Secessionville, he encountered and routed some five thousand Georgia troops. He had two regiments of colored troops-the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and the Second South Carolina. These colored troops charged with great bravery, and drove the foe wildly before them. The rebels, with the loss of three hundred men, were driven beyond Secessionville into some strong intrenchments in the rear, where they made a stand.

Upon the 18th, a new attack was make on Fort Wagner. It was first assailed by a fierce bombardment from the iron-clad gunboats Montauk, Ironsides, Catskill, Nantucket, Weehawken, and Patapsco. These boats took position within short range of the fort, while several wooden gunboats, at a greater distance, pitched their shells into the ramparts of the foe. At the same time fifty-four guns in battery opened a deadly fire upon the rebel works. From noon till night the bombardment raged sublimely. It, however, accomplished but little. Two guns were dismounted, and the beauty of the parapet was destroyed. The defensive power of the fort was not, however, materially weakened.

At sunset the fleet withdrew, and the cannonade ceased. Just then a black cloud appeared in the sky, with muttering thunder. One of the fiercest of tempests commenced its roar, as if to show how insignificant the artillery of earth compared with that of the skies. In the midst of this storm, preparations were made to carry the fort by assault. Three brigades, under charge of General Strong, Colonel Putnam, and General Stevenson, were brought forward for the perilous enterprise. To a thought

The brigades were The troops were but

ful mind the plan did not give promise of success. hurriedly at the moment formed for the duty. very imperfectly acquainted with their brigade commanders. Many had never before been under fire; and all remembered the bloody repulse of the 11th.

The evening twilight was fading away, when these troops with solemn tread moved along the hard beach, from which the tide had retired, to the assault. Colonel Shaw, at the head of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored troops, led. These were followed by the Sixth Connecticut, under Colonel Chatfield, the Forty-eighth New York, under Colonel Barton, the Third New Hampshire, under Colonel Jackson, the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania, and the Ninth Maine, under Colonel Emory. These troops were to march half a mile over the smooth, hard beach, in direct view of the enemy, and exposed every step to the murderous fire of his guns. By poin blank range the batteries of Wagner could sweep this beach with grape and canister. At the same time, the barbette guns on Fort Sumter and the heavy batteries on Cummings's Point could rake the line with an enfilading fire. Never were men doomed to a more terrible storm of iron hail.

As they, with rapid step, commenced their march, instantly the terrible tornado of war burst upon them. Leaving their path strewed with the dead and dying, they rushed on, breasting the smothering tempest, till, plunging through the ditches and clambering the parapet, they engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with their foes. The ditches were raked with grape and canister from the rebel howitzers. Hand grenades and every other murderous implement of war fell mercilessly upon them. Patriot and rebel fought with the utmost desperation. There has been no conflict during the war in which the Union troops displayed more heroism. Never did men fight with death staring them more steadfastly in the face. The famous charge at Balaklava was scarcely more desperate.

The imagination can hardly conceive a scene more awful than was now presented. It was night, and a night of blackness of darkness. The earth seemed to shake beneath the terrific peals of thunder, while vivid flashes of lightning frequently illumined the spectacle with their terrific glare. Sulphurous clouds of smoke hung over the struggling combatants, while the cries of onset and the explosions of artillery and musketry were blended with the awful roar.

The carnage was dreadful. In a few moments, General Strong, Colonel Shaw, Colonel Chatfield, Colonel Barton, Colonel Green, Colonel Jackson, and a large number of other brave officers, had fallen. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Colored Regiment, having lost their revered commander Colonel Shaw, performed prodigies of valor, and fought with heroism, which won for them the love of the nation, under their surviving youthful leader, Lieutenant Higginson. The patriot troops forced their way into a corner of the fort, and, for an hour, held it. The fort was too numerous in its garrison and too strong in its works to be thus taken. It was madness to remain longer under so deadly a fire. The order to retreat was given. It required desperate valor to fight their way into the fort. It required no less valor to fight their way out again. Over a thousand rebels had reposed