EMORY UNIVERSITY
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MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
Richmond, Va., Feb. 12, 1864.
To the Senate and House of Representatives :
I herewith transmit for vcur information a communication from the
Secretary of War, covering copies of several additional " reports of
General Beauregard, connected with the defence of Charleston. "
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
COMMUNICATION OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Confederate States of America, }
War Department, >
Richmond, Ya., February 10, 1864. )
To the President of the Confederate States :
Sir : In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives,
calling for "the reports of General Beauregard, connected with the
defence of Charleston, which have not hitherto been published," I
have the honor to forward the following, which cover all the periods
reported, except those embraced in such reports as have already been
transmitted to Congress :
1. Report of the examination of Charleston harbor, by the Span¬
ish consul after attack by Confederate iron-clads.
2. Report of the action of the 7th of April, 1863, between the
abolition iron-clads and the forts and batteries in Charleston harbor.
3. Reports of Brigadier Generals Ripley and Taliaferro of opera¬
tions from the 8th to the 20th of July, 1863, inclusive.
4. Report of operations from the, 1st to the 20th August, inclusive.
5. Report of operations from the 21st to the 31st August, inclusive.
6. Reports of the evacuation of Morris Island.
7. Major Elliott's report of night assault on Fort Sumter.
I am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.
REPORT OF THE EXAMINATION OF CHARLESTON
HARBOR BY THE SPANISH CONSUL, AFTER ATTACK
BY CONFEDERATE IRON-CLADS.
Spanish Consulate, )
Charleston, February 1st, 1863. >
Mr. Thomas Jordon,
Brig. Gen. and Chief of Staff of the Def t S. C., Ga.,and Fla. :
My Dear Sir : I take pleasure in replying to your communication
of the 31st of January last, respecting the notification of the raising
the blockade at Charleston by the naval force of the Confederate
States. . % '
I should inform you, that I remitted a copy of the same communi¬
cation to his Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington.
I thank you for your kind offer in placing a steamer at my disposal,
so that I may go and satisfy myself as to the condition of the port.
Having gone out in company with the French Consul, and arrived at
the point where the Confederate naval forces were, we discovered
three steamers and a pilot boat returning. I must also mention, that
the British Consul at this port manifested to me verbally, that some
time subsequent to this naval combat, not a single blockading vessel
was in sight.
I avail myself of this opportunity to offer you my sincere respects.
MTJNOZ DE MONCADA,
Spanish Consul.
GENERAL BEAUREGARD'S REPORT OF ACTION OF 7TH
OF APRIL, 1S68.
H'd Qr's Dep't South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, )
Charleston, S. C., May 24, 1863. J
General S. Cooper,
Ad ft and Insfit General, Richmond, Va. :
General: I have the honor to transmit with this, the report of
Brigadier General Ripley, commanding the first military district,
South Carolina, of the battle of the 7th ultimo, together with the re¬
ports of his subordinate officers,, and of Majors D. B. Harris and W.
H. Echols, provisional engineer corps.
The accumulation of the enemy's troops, transports, and iron-clad
vessels at Port Royal, during the months of February and March,
and subsequently, in the North Edisto and Stono rivers, having con¬
vinced me that the long threatened attack on Charleston was imme¬
diately impending, every possible precaution was at once made for
the exigency, including the concentration, at strategic points in this
vicinity, of all available troops, for the defence of the several land
approaches to the position, and provisions for the farther and rapid
concentration, upon this point, of forces from other of the military
sub-divisions of the department.
On the oth of the month, the enemy's iron-clads, of the monitor
class, appeared, and anchored off the bar, which they crossed on the
following day, accompanied by the iron-mailed frigate New Ironsides,
bearing the admiral's pennant. On the 7th of April, in the after¬
noon, the enemy moved forward to the attack, in single file—seven
single turreted monitors, to wit: Wechawken, Cat-skill, Montauk, Nan¬
tucket, Passaic, Nahant, and Patapsco, the Keokuk with two fixed turrets,
and the New Ironside—the Weehuwken leading, the New Ironsides
fifth in the order of battle. By three o'clock, P. M., the head of the
line had come within easy range of Forts Sumter and Moultrie, and
batteries Beauregard, Bee, and Cummins' Point, and Wagner; a few
minutes later the first gun was fired from Fort Moultrie, and soon the
engagement became general.
• On our side, seventy-six guns of various calibre, including nine
mortars and fifteen smooth bore thirty-two-pounders, were brought to
bear on the fleet, which carried thirty-two guns of the heaviest cali¬
bres ever used in war, to wit: Fifteen and eleven-inch Dahlgren guns,
and eight-inch rifle pieces. The Weehawken in advance, provided with
a contrivance for catching and exploding torpedoes, was soon com¬
pelled to retire before the iron storm it encountered. The New Iron¬
sides, at the distance of seventeen hundred yards from Fort Sumter,
was frequently struck, and was next forced to fall back out of range,
evidently injured. The Keokuk having, meantime, approached
to about nine hundred yards of Fort Sumter, was quickly riddled,
her guns silenced, and she was withdrawn from the fight vitally
7
crippled. The remaining monitors, six in number, with twelve guns,
maintained their fire until twenty-five minutes after five, P. M., when
they too, fetired out of range of our batteries, and came to anchor,
four of them hors de combat, and one of them, the Passaic, so disabled
a.s to make it necessary to send her under tow at once to Port Royal.
On the following morning, the full extent of the injury done to the
Keokuk was shown, as she sunk at her anchors in the shallow water
off'Morris Island. Her armament, two eleven inch Dahlgren guns,
two United States flags, two pennants and three signal flags, have
since been taken from her, and the former are now in position for
effective service—substantial trophies of the affair. The New Iron¬
sides and six monitors remained at anchor within the bar, but out of
effective range of any of our works, until the afternoon of the 12th
of April, their crews and a corps of mechanics visibly and actively
employed repairing damages, and apparently preparing to renew the
attack ; then weighing anchor, they all recrossed the bar, the New
Ironsides to resume her position as one of the blockading fleet, and
the monitors, (four of them in tow) to return to Port Royal.
For the detail of this conflict, I-beg to refer you to the several re¬
ports herewith submitted, but it may not be amiss to recapitulate
some of the salient results.
The action lasted two hours and twenty-five minutes, but the chief
damage is reported by the enemy to have been done in thirty minutes;
the Keokuk did not come nearer than nine hundred yards of Fort
Sumter. She was distroyed. The New Ironsides could not stand the
fire at the range of a mile. Four of her consorts, monitors, were dis¬
abled at the distance of not less than thirteen hundred yards. They
had only reached the gorge of the harbor, never within it, and were
baffled and driven back before reaching our lines of torpedoes and
obstructions, which had been constructed as an ultimate defensive
resort, as far as they could be provided. The heaviest batteries had
not been employed ; therefore it may be accepted as shown, that these
vaunted monitor batteries, though formidable engines of wrar, after
all are not invulnerable or invincible, and may be destroyed or
defeated by heavy ordnance, properly placed and skilfully handled ;
in reality they have not materially altered the military relations of
forts and ships.
On this occasion, the monitors operated under the most favorable
circumstances. The day was calm ; and the water, consequently, was as
stable as of a river. Their guns were fired with deliberation, doubtless
by trained artillerists. According to the enemy's statements, the
fleet fired one hundred and fifty-one shots, eight of which were
ascribed to the New Ironsides, three to the Keokuk, and but nine to
the Pa3saic, which was so badly damaged. Not more than thirty-four
shots took effect on the walls of Fort Sumter—a broad mark—which,
with the number of discharges, suggest that the monitor arrange-
.ment, as yet, is not convenient for accuracy or celerity of fire.
Fort Moultrie and our other batteries were not touched, in a way
to be considered, while in return, they threw one thousand: three hun¬
dred and ninety-nine shots. At the same time, Fort Sumter dis-
8
charged eight hundred and ten shots—making the total number of
shots fired two thousand two hundred and nine, of which the enemy
report that five hundred and twenty struck the different vessels—a
most satisfactory accuracy, when the smallness of the target is con¬
sidered. This precision was due not only to the discipline and prac¬
tice of the garrisons engaged, but in no slight degree to an invention
of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Yates, first regiment South Carolina
artillery, which had been applied to many of our best guns, and which
shall, as fast as possible, be arranged for all the heavy ordnance in
the department. By this felicitous device, our guns were easily held
trained upon the monitors, although the latter were constantly in
movement, and this with but five men at the heaviest pieces. The
reports of the engineers (herewith) will show the precise extent of the
damage inflicted on Fort Sumter. It is sufficient for me to say, that
at the time the enemy quit these waters, the work was capable of re¬
sisting as formidable an attack as the one it had just foiled.
For the casualties of the day, (so slight,) I must refer you to the
reports herewith. Too much praise cannot be given to the officers
and men, in all the works engaged, for their spirit, gallantry, and
discipline, which, indeed, I had a right to expect, from the high sol¬
dierly condition into which these garrisons had been brought by their
officers. My expectations were fully realized; and the country, as
well as the State of South Carolina, may well be proud of the men who
first met and vanquished the iron-mailed, terribly armed armada, so
confidently prepared, and sent forth by the enemy to certain and easy
victory.
To the professional resources, skill as an artillery officer, intelli¬
gent and indefatigable zeal and assiduity of Brigadier General Ripley,
commanding the first military district, and specially charged with the
defetfee of the harbor, much is due for the completeness of the defence,
and the proud results of the 7th of April. He was ably seconded by
his subordinate commanders, whose services he has fitly noticed in his
own report. To Col. A. J. Gonzales, chief of ordnance and artillery,
and Major D. B. Harris, chief engineer, and Major W. H. Echols,
provisional engineer corps, and their several assistants, I return my
thanks, for valuable services in their respective departments.
I have also to record my obligations to the Hon. William Porcher
Miles, representative in Congress, for constantly exerted services, in
securing for the defence of Charleston so many of the heaviest guns
wielded so effectually.
The Confederate States iron-clad ships Palmetto State and Chicora,
under the command of Captain J. R. Tucker, C. S. N., as soon aB the
enemy advanced to the attack, took their positions, (previously ar¬
ranged,) ready to perform their part in the conflict, at the opportune
moment.
On the day after the combat, Flag Officer Lynch, C. S. N., arrived
here from North Carolina, with an effective detachment of sailor ar¬
tillerists, to tender service in any battery. Hewas assigned to a
most responsible position—Cummins' Point Battery—but was in three
days thereafter recalled by the Navy Department.
9
The flags and trophies sent herewith were taken from the wreck of
the Keokuk, by Lieutenant W. T. Glassell, C. S. N. The more ma¬
terial trophies, two eleven-inch Dahlgren pieces, now in battery, were
recovered, under the supervision of General Ripley, by the mechanical
resources and energy of Mr. Adolphus Lacoste, employee of the dis¬
trict ordnance department, assisted by parties from the garrison of
Fort Sumter, under command of Lieutenant S. C. Boyleston, and
Lieutenants J. M. Rhett and K. Kemper, first South Carolina
artillery.
The enemy's land forces, collected in considerable strength on Sea-
brook Island, and in the transports in North Edisto river, and on Folly,
Coles, and other islands about the mouth of the Stono river inlet,
made no attempt to co-operate actively with the naval attack.
In conclusion, I shall avail myself of the occasion to give, as my
opinion, that the best, the easiest way to render Fort Sumter impreg¬
nable would be to arm, conformably to its original plan, both tiers of
casemates and the barbette, with the heaviest guns, rifled 01* smooth-,
bore, that can be made. '
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General commanding.
BRIGADIER GENERAL R. S. RIPLEY'S REPORT OF
ACTION OF 7TH OF APRIL, 1863, BETWEEN THE
ABOLITION IRON-CLADS AND THE FORTS AND BAT¬
TERIES IN CHARLESTON HARBOR.
General: Upon the 1st instant the increase of the enemy's force
in the Stono, and information from north Edisto, gave warning that
the long threatened combined movement upon Charleston was about
to take place. Brigadier General S. R. Gist, commanding first sub¬
division of this district, James Island and St. Andrews, took prompt
measures for the observation and repulse of any attack in that direc¬
tion. Colonel R. T. Graham, commanding third sub-division, occu¬
pied the shore of Morris Island on Light House inlet, to control the
passage from Folly Island, and a strict watch has been kept up to the
present time on the land movements of the enemy.
On the 5th, the iron-clad fleet of the abolitionists, consisting of
seven monitors and one double-turrcted vessel, hove in sight from Fort
Sumter, and came to anchor outside, in the vicinity of the Ironsides
frigate, then a part of the blockading squadron. The 6th was appa¬
rently spent by the enemy in preparation, and by our artillerists in
verifying the condition of their material. On the morning of the 7th,
the enemy was inside the bar with all his iron-clads, including the
frigate, but from his proximity to the shoals and the haze of the
atmosphere, his position could not be determined.
The various works of preparation were progressed with, both on the
exterior and interior line of defence, until about two o'clock, P. Mv,
when the enemy steamed directly up the channel, the Weehawken,
with a false prow for removing torpedoes attached, leading, folbwed
by three monitors, the Ironsides flagship, three other monitors; the
Keokuk, double turret, bringing up the rear.
At each fort and battery, oflicers and men made preparation
for immediate action, while the enemy came slowly and steadily on.
At three o'clock, Fort Moultrie opened fire. At five minutes past
three, the leading vessel, having arrived at fourteen hundred yards p?
Fort Sumter, opened upon it with two guns. The eastern* battery of
Fort Suipter replied. Batteries Bee, Beauregard, Wagner, and.at
Cummins' £oint, opened about this time, and the action became gen¬
eral, the four leading monitors closing up on the Weehawken and
taking position at an average distance from the forts and batteries of
about fifteen hundred yards. In accordance with instructions, the
fire from the different points was concentrated upon the leading ves¬
sels ; and the effect was soon apparent from the withdrawal of the
Headquar "
Depa
Brigadier General Thomas Jordan,
Chief of Staff, Deft of S. C., Ga., and Fla
li
leading monitor from action, her false prow having been detached
and she otherwise apparently injured.
The remaining monitors, in advance of the flagship, held their
position, directing their fire principally at Fort Sumter, but giving
occasional shots at Fort Moultrie, (of-which the flagstaff was shot
away,) Batteries Beauregard, and Bee. The Ironsides, meantime,
opened fire and drew the attention of Forts Moultrie, and Sumter,
and the Cummins' Point battery. A few heavy and concentrated
discharges caused her to withdraw out of range, where she was soon
followed by two other monitors.
At five minutes past four, the Keokuk left her consorts and came
to the front, approaching to within nine hundred yards of Fort Sum¬
ter, twelve hundred from Battery Bee, and one thousand of Fort
Moultrie. Her advance was characterized by more boldness than hadi
hitherto been shown by any of the enemy's fleet; but receiving full
attention from the powerful batteries opposed to her, the effect was
soon apparent. The ten-inch shot and seven-inch rifle boUs crashed
through her armor, her hull and turrets were riddled and stove in,
her boats were shot away, and in less than forty minutes she retired
with such speed as her disabled condition would permit. The remain¬
ing monitors kept their position for a time ; but soon, one by ons>,.
dropped down the channel and came to anchor out of range, after am
action of two hours and twenty-five minutes, at ranges varying from-
nine hundred to fifteen hundred yards.
The full effect of our batteries upon the enemy could not be pre¬
cisely ascertained, and as our strength had not been entirely put
forth, it was believed that the action would soon be renewed. The-
monitor which had led into the action, however, proceeded south,,
outside of the bar, on the same evening.
Before the commencement of the affair, I was proceeding in a boat
to Battery Bee, and watched the progress of the cannonade from that
point. The guns were worked with as much prccison as the range-
would admit. There were no damages or casualties. Visiting Fort
Moultrie, the damaged flagstaff was being replaced, and everything
prepared for the renewal of the fire, should the enemy approach
again. One man had been mortally wounded by the falling of the-
'Staff. Crossing the channel to Fort Sumter, the effect of impact'
of the heavy shot sent by the enemy against the fort which they are ■
so anxious to repossess, greater in calibre and supposed destructive >
force than any hitherto used in war, was found to., have been muchly
less than had been anticipated.
Five men had been injured by splinters from, the traverse, one-
eight-inch columbiad had exploded, one ten-Inch carriage had its -
rear transom shot away, and one rifled forty-two pounder had been
temporarily disabled from the effect of recoil upon defective car*
riages. The garrison was immediately set to work to repair damr
ages, and, the strength of the enemy's projectiles having been
ascertained, to guard such points as might be exposod to their
effect, should the attack be renewed. Cummins' Point battery and;
12
Battery Wagner were uninjured except from the accidental explo¬
sion of an ammunition chest in Battery Wagner.
During the night of the 7th, stores were replenished, threatened,
points upoii land reinforced, working parties from the forty-sixth
Georgia regiment brought to Fort Sumter, and the renewal of the
struggle in the morning awaited with confidence.
When day dawned, on the morning of the 8th, the enemy's fleet
was discovered in the same position as noticed on the previous
evening. About nine o'clock, the Keokuk, which had been evidently
the most damaged in the action, went down about three and one-half
miles from Fort Sumter and three-fourths of a mile from Morris
Island. The remainder of the fleet were repairing damages. Pre¬
parations for repulsing a renewed attack were progressed with in
accordance with the instructions of the commanding General, who
visited Fort Sumter on that day. A detachment of seamen under
Flag Officer W. F. Lynch, arrived from Wilmington, and on the 9th,
temporarily relieved the artillerists in charge of the Cummins'
Point battery. The operations of the enemy's fleet consisted only in
supply and repair. Toward evening of the 9th, a raft, apparently
Tor removing torpedoes or obstructions, was towed inside of the bar.
Nothing of importance occurred during the 10th.
During the night of the 10th, Lieutenant Colonel Dargan, of Col¬
onel Graham's command, crossed Light House inlet, drove back the
enemy's pickets with loss, and returned with one prisoner.
On the 11th there were indications that the attacking fleet was
about to withdraw; and on the 12th, at high water, the Ironsides
crossed the bar and took up her position with the blockading fleet;
and the monitors steamed and were towed to the southward, leavihg
only the sunken Keokuk as a monument of their attack and discom-
.fiture.
In this, the first trial of the abolition iron fleet against brick forti¬
fications, and their first attempt to enter the harbor of Charleston, in
which they were beaten before their adversaries thought the action
had well commenced, they were opposed by seventy-six pieces in all,
including mortars. Thirty-seven of these, exclusive of mortars,
were above the calibre of thirty-two pounders. The expenditure Of
shot against the fleet was twenty-two hundred and twenty-nine pro¬
jectiles, Of which over sixteen hundred were over the calibre of thirfcy-
..two pounders. The guns which the enemy brought to bear, were, if
their own account is to be believed, thirty in number, including eight-
inch rifled, eleven and fifteen-inch guns, which would make their
weight of metal, at one discharge, nearly, if not quite, equal to that
thrown by the batteries.
During the action, Brigadier General Trapier, commanding second
sub-division of this district, was present at Fort Moultrie ; BrigadiOr
General Gist, commanding first sub-division, at Fort Johnson; Col.
B.. F. Graham, commanding third suh-division, on Morris Island, and
Colonel L. M. Keitt; commanding Sullivan's Island, at Battery Bed,
attending to their duties and awaiting the development of the attack.
The action, however, was purely of artillery—forts and batteriee
13
against the iron-clad vessels of the enemy: other means of defence,
obstructions and torpedoes, not having come into play. Fort Sum¬
ter was the principal object of the enemy's attack, and to that garri¬
son, under its gallant commander, Colonel Alfred Rhett, ably seconded
by Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Yates and Major Ormsby Blanding,
and all the officers and men, special credit is due for sustaining the
shock, and, with thbir powerful armament, contributing principally to
the repulse. The garrison of Fort Moultrie, under Colonel WilMam
Butler, seconded by Major Baker and the other officers and soldiers,
upheld the historic reputation of that fort, and contributed their full
share to the result. The powerful batteries of Battery Bee were
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Simkins, and were served
with great effect. Battery Wagner, under Major C. K. Huger; Cum¬
mins' Point battery, under Lieutenant Lesesne, and Battery Beau¬
regard, under Captain Sitgreaves, all did their part according to
their armament. Indeed, from the reports of the commanders, it is
hard to make any distinction where all did their duty with devotion
and zeal. Those cases which have been ascertained will be found in
the reports of the subordinate commanders. The steady preparation
for receiving a renewed attack by the officers, and the good conduct
and discipline of the troops, especially in the garrison of Fort Sum¬
ter, where the labor was necessarily great, have been quite as credit¬
able as their conduct under fire. While service in immediate action
is that which is most conspicuous after such a result has been accom¬
plished, the greatest credit is due to that long, patient and laborious
preparation, by which our works and material, never originally
intended to withstand such an attack as has been encountered, have
been so re-secured as to enable our gallant and well instructed
officers and men to obtain their end with comparatively small loss.
In that preparation, the late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Wagner
contributed much on both sides of the channel, and Colonel
Rhett, Lieutenant Colonel Yates, Major Blanding, and other officers
of Fort Sumter, have been more or less engaged since the fort fell
into our hands, two years since. Colonel Butler, Lieutenant Colonel
Simkins, and other officers of the first South Carolina infantry, have
been, for more than a year, engaged at the works on Sullivan's
Island. Besides these, various officers of engineers and other
branches of the department staff, known to the commanding General,
have been, at different times, principal contributors in the work; and
although in the limits of this report it is impossible to mention all
to whom credit is due, it is well that works like these, without which,
in such emergencies, personal gallantry avails naught, should be
appreciated. During the seven days, while the presence of the fleet
threatened action, Captain Wm. F. Nance, principal Assistant Adju¬
tant General on the district staff, performed his difficult duties in the
administration of a command of thousand men in a prompt,
judicious, and efficient manner. He was assisted by Lieutenants H. H.
Rogers and W. H. Wagner, A. D. C. Captain F. B. Dubarry,
district ordnance officer, was especially active and energetic in the
supply of ammunition and material for the batteries. He was assisted.
14
by Lieutenant C. C. Pinckncy. Captain B. H. Bead, A. A. G. ; Col.
Edward Manigault and Lientenant Colonel St. Clair Bearing, volun¬
teers upon the staff, were present during the action at Fort Sumter.
Captain E. M. Seabrook, volunteer aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant
Schmerle, enrolling officer and acting aid-de-camp, were generally
with me during the active period, and all were energetic and prompt
in tjie discharge of the duties required of them. Captain John S.
Byan acted on my immediate staff. To Major Motte A. Pringle and
Norman W. Smith, post and district quartermasters, and Captain
McClenahan, A. C. S., many thanks should be rendered. The duties
of the Quartermaster's Department were excessively laborious on
account of the limited means of transportation, and it is a matter of
congratulation that with such means they were so well performed.
The reports of engineer officers will inform the commanding Gen«-
eral of the condition of the various works, as well as of the acts of
officers in that branch of the service.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a sketch of the position of
the enemy's fleet at a quarter past four o'clock, P. M., on the 7th, a;
return of the guns engaged, a return of ammunition expended, a
numerical return of casualties, and the reports of diffierent command¬
ers. To the last I beg respectfully to refer for such information as
is not included in this report.
I have also to transmit herewith two abolition ensigns obtained
from the Keokuk, as she lies off Morris Island beach, by Lieutenant
Glassell, C. S. N., one of which is evidently the ensign under which
she fought and was worsted. None of the iron-clads flew large flags,
the object having doubtless been to avoid presenting a mark to our
artillery.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding.
15
RETURN OF GUNS AND MORTARS at Forts and Batteries in
Charleston Harbor, engaged with the Abolition Iron-clads, April
1th, 1863.
Fort or Battery,
"d
' 2
a
n
ro-
o
a
o
rH
9-in. Dahlgrens.
i|
7-inch Brooks. |
8-in. columbiad.
i I
42-pdr rifled. |
| 32-pdr rifled.
I
32-pdr smooth.
j 10-inch mortars.
3
o
&
>
a
c3
o
Fort Sumter, —
4
2
2
8
7
i
13
7
Fort Moultrie,
9
5
5
2
Battery Bee
5
1
Battery Beauregard,
1
1
Battery at Cummins' Point
1
1
Battery Wagner
1
Total,
10
3
2
19
7 1 8
18
a
78
RETURN OF AMMUNITION expended in action, April 7th, 1863.
Shot, round.
gbell,
round.
Shot,
rifle.
Bolts,
rifle.
Tabes
Powder
Fort
or
Battery.
lC-in. columb'd.
os
3
S
p
*o
c
.s
oo
d
<0
to
3
fi
.s
o
o
a
3
O
p<
CI
co
10-inoh mortar.
p s
.3
CO
M
• O
o
u
B
.£
t-
42-pounder.
*§
a
p
o
p
CQ
|
'O
' ^
CI
u
0>
no
C
p
o
p
<N
C*5
Friction tubes.
a
<e u
V <B
, H •
°5«
C §
1°
Fort Sumter..
Fort Moultrie
Bat'y Bee
Bat'y Wagner
B.Beauregard
B Cum.'s P't.
Ft. Johnson..
120
225
40
270
339
68
64
54
26
100
243
40
51
2
5
86
140
21
22
45
38
7
192
41
1,047
1,200
: 50
27
167
73
2
7,C23
7,375
3 640
ir.s
1,355
860
11
Total,
385
731
80
343
93
5
86
140
88
45
233
2,856
21,983
RETURN OF CASUALTIES IN ACTION.
Fort or Battery
Fort Sumter....
Fort Moultrie ...
Battery Wagner,
wounded.
1 V
14
REMAINS.
Splinters from traverse.
Fall of flagstaff.
Explosion of ammunition chest.
16
^ndnlubel of '"shof f R°U^ ^red by the Enemy 071 7ih °f APril>
States journals. by eack ^on-clad, copied from United
New Ironsides fired - . Roja^8'
Catskill fired _ _
Keokuk fired
Montauk fired ^ R
Nantucket fired , \ ~ " - 26
Passaic fired _ - 15
9
N ah ant fired - - - - ~ ^4 .
Weehawken fired - - - 26
Patapsco fired - - - - 18
Total, - - - - 151
New Ironsides received of shots - 65
Keokuk " " - - 90
Weehawken " " . - 60
Montauk " " - - _ 20
Passaic " " - - 58
Nantucket " " - . _ 51
Catskill " " . - _ 51
Patapsco " " - _ . 45
Nahant " " - go
Total, - - . _ 520
THOMAS JORDAN.
Chief of Staff.
REPORT OF COLONEL ALFRED RIIETT OF ENGAGE¬
MENT OF 7TII OF APRIL, BETWEEN YANKEE IRON¬
CLADS AND FORT SUMTER, &c.
Headquarters First South Carolina Artillery, )
Fort Sumter, April 13, 1863. \
Captain William F. Nance, A. A. G.,
First. Military District, South Carolina : >
Captain : I have the honor to make the following report:
The abolition ironclad fleet, consisting of the frigate " New Iron*
sides" and eight monitors, appeared in sight on Sunday morning,
April 5th, instant; crossed the bar the same evening, and anchored
in the main ship channel.
At two o'clock, P. M., April 7th, instant, the whole iron-clad fleet
advanced to the attack in the following order, viz : Four monitors
were in the advance, led by the Passaic. The Ironsides came next,
followed by three othi r single turreted monitors, and the "Keokuk,s*
a double-turreted monitor, bringing up the rear.
At thirty minutes past two, P. M., the long roll wag beaten, and
every disposition made for action.
At fifty-five minutes past two, P. M., the garrison, regimental and
Palmetto flags were hoisted and saluted by thirteen guns, tfre band
playing the national airs.
At three o'clock, P. M., the action was opened by a shot from Fort
Moultrie. At three minutes past three, P. M., the leading vessel
having approached to within about fourteen hundred yards of tha
fort, she fired two shots simultaneously, one, a fifteen-inch shrapnel,
which burst; both passed over the fort. The batteries were opened
upon her two minutes later, the firing being by battery. The action
now became general, and the four leading monitors taking po¬
sition from thirteen hundred to fourteen hundred yards distant, tho
fire was changed from fire by battery to fire by piece, as being mora
accurate. The fire by battery was again resumed as occasion offered.
The Ironsides did not approach nearer than seventeen hundred yards.
The whole fire of the batteries engaged was concentrated on tha
" Passaic" for thirty minutes, when she withdrew from the engage¬
ment, apparently injured. The other ships, each in its turn, received
our attention. The fire of both Fort Moultrie and this fort being now
directed against the Ironsides, she immediately withdrew out of ef¬
fective range. The other turreted monitors came under our fire in
like manner as the preceding, slowly passing in front of the fort In
an ellipse; one only, the last, approaching to about one thousand
yards.
At five minutes past four, P. M., the " Keokuk" left her consorts
and advanced, bow on, gallantly, to within nine hundred yards of Our
batteries. She received our undivided attention, and the effect of our %
i
18
fire was soon apparent. The wrought iron "bolts from seven-inch
Brooke gun were plainly seen to penetrate her turret and hull, and
©he retired in forty minutes, riddled, and apparently almost disabled.
At twenty-five minutes past five, P. M., the whole fleet withdrew.
The iron-clads had been under our fire for two hours and twenty-five min¬
utes. The '-Keokuk" has sunk—one monitor was towed south on the
morning of tho 8th April, instant; several were apparently injured ;
and the fact has been demonstrated, that iron-clads of the monitor
class are not invulnerable.
The enemy's fire was mostly ricochet and not very accurate ; most
cf their shot passed over the fort, and several to the right and left.
The greater portion of their shots were from thirteen hundred to four¬
teen hundred yards distant, which appeared to be the extent of their
effective range ; some shots were from a greater distance, and did not
reach the fort at all.
For the effect of the fire of the enemy upon the fort, I would re¬
spectfully refer to the report of engineer.
One eight-inch columbiad, old pattern, chambered gun, exploded.
This gun was being fired at about one degree elevation, and it is my
opinion that its bursting was caused by the shot rolling forward, when
the gun was run into battery. In firing at low degrees of elevation
end at depression, sabot shot should be used.
One forty-two-pounder rifled gun was dismounted by recoil, and
temporarily disabled.
One ten-inch columbiad was disabled, by having the rear transom
Cifi its carriage shot away. Both guns were again ready for action in
a few hours.
The garrison flag received a shot through the Union. The regi¬
mental flag was much torn by fragments of shell.
The garrison, consisting of seven companies, first South Carolina
artillery, was disposed of as follows, viz :
First—Captain D. G. Fleming, with company " B," seventy-eight
men, in command of east parapet battery, assisted by Lieutenants F.
D. Bake and Iredell Jones ; Lieutenant J. M. Rhett, company " A,"
although on sick report, was assigned temporarily to company " B."
Second—Captain F. H. Haileston, with company " D," seventy-
four men, in command of northeast parapet battery, assisted by Lieu¬
tenants McMillan King and W. S. Simkins.
Third—Captain J. G. King, with company " F," in command of
northwest parapet battery, assisted by Lieutenants A. S. Galliard,
John Middleton and W. H. Johnson.
Fourth—Captain J. C. Mitchell, with company " I" seventy-eight
r - men, in command of west parapet battery, assisted by Lieutenant J.
S. Bee.
Fifth—Captain J. R. Macbeth, with company " E," seventy-seven
men, in command of mortar battery and east casemate battery, as¬
sisted by Lieutenant J. J. Alston.
Sixth—Captain W. H. Peronnean, with company " G," seventy-
seven men, in command of northeast casemate battery, assisted by
Lieutenant E. S* Ficklin.
19
Seventh—Captain C. W. Parker, with detachment company C,"
fifty five men, and detachment company <( E," in command of north¬
west casemate battery, assisted by Lieutenants G. E. Haymworth
and K. Kemper.
Eighth—Lieutenant H, Grimball, with regimental band, fifteen
men, in command of second tier casemate battery.
Ninth—Lieutenant Clarkson, with detachment of twenty-five men
of company " B," Charleston battalion, posted in second tier of case¬
mate as sharpshooters.
Lieutenant Colonel Yates, having reported for duty on the morning
of the 7th April, was assigned to the immediate command of the par¬
apet batteries.
The casemate batteries were under the immediate command of Ma¬
jor Ormsby Blandiog.
The following is the number of guns brought into action : Two se¬
ven-inch Brook guns; four ten-inch columbiads; two nine-inch
Dahlgrens ; four eight-inch columbiads ; four eight-inch navy guns;
seven banded and rifled forty-two pounders; one banded and rifled
thirty-two pounder; thirteen smooth-bore thirty-two pounders; seven
ten-inch sea-coast mortars.
The following were the officers of the staff:
Lieutenant S. C. Boyleston, Adjutant; Captain T. M. Barker, As¬
sistant Quartermaster; Captain S. P. Ravenel, A. C. S.; Reveren&i
N. Aldricb, Chaplain ; sergeant-major, C. P. Grundshig, and quar¬
termaster sergeant, William Nicoli. Lieutenant Charles Ingiesby.
was officer of the day. Lieutenant J. G. Heyward was officer of the
guard. Lieutenant E#. P. Ravenel was acting ordnance officer, as¬
sisted by Lieutenant James B. Heyward, Lieutenant of ordnance.
The medical department was undercharge of Surgeon M. S. Moore,
assisted by Assistant Surgeon Samuel Muller.
Mr. Edward White was present as acting engineer officer.
The members of the signal corps were T.P.Lowndes, Arthur
Grimball, and Joseph W. Seabrook.
Several officers of General Ripley's staff were present during the
engagement, and, in the absence of General Ripley, tendered their
services to me.
Captain Benjamin Read, A. A. General; Colonel Edward Mani-
gaultand Colonel St. Clair Dcaring were present, having tendered their.,
services alsd.
Mr. Lacoste also was present, and rendered efficient service.
With regard to the conduct of the garrison, it is impossible for me
to draw any distinction. Officers and men were alike animated with
the same spirit, and I caning speak in too high terms of their
coolness and gallantry throughout the action, All acted as though
they were engaged in practice, and the minutest particulars of drill
and military etiquette were preserved.
For expenditure of ammunition, I would respectfully refer to en¬
closed report of ordnance officer.
port. casualties, I would also refer to enclosed surgeon's re-
near ^Morr5o ^Pri* 8th, the " Keokuk" was seen to sink
M0rns l8land beach, where she now lies.
Respectfully-submitted,
ALFRED RHETT,
Cobnel commanding.
BRIGADIER GENERAL TRAPIER'S REPORT OF ACTION
IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, APRIL 7TH, 1863.
Headquarters Sub-Division, 1st Military Dis't, )
Sullivan''s Island, April 13, 1863. y
Captain W. F. NiNCE, A. A. G.:
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
action of the 7th instant, between the enemy's fleet of iron-clad war
vessels and the fort and batteries on this island.
At about two 6'clock, P. M., on that day, it was reported to me
that the movements of the fleet, which had been for some time
anchored within the bar, were suspicious, and that some of the vessels
appeared to be advancing. So stealthily did they approach, however,
that not until half past two o'clock did I become convinced that the
intentions of the enemy Were serio.us and that the long threatened
attack was about to begin. I immediately repaired to Fort Moultrie,
where I had previously determined to make my headquarters during
the action. Slowly but steadily the iron-clads approached, coming by
the middle or "swash" channel in single file, the Passaic (it is believed)
in'the van, followed by the rest (eight in number) at equal distances,
the flag-ship New Ironsides occupy ing the centre.
At three o'clock, Colonel William Butler, commanding in the fort,
reported to me that the leading ship was in range. I ordered him
immediately to open his batteries upon her, which was done promptly,
and the action began. Fearing that the range was rather long for
effective work, the firing, after a few rounds, was suspended for a
short time, but finding the enemy refused close quarters, there was
no alternative but to engage him at long range or not at all. We
decided upon the former, and Fort Moultrie again opened her batteries.
Batteries Bee and Beauregard had also, by this time, opened fire, and
the action had become general. It soon became obvious that the ene¬
my's intentions were to fight and not to run by, and orders were given
to " train " on vessels nearest in, and to fire by battery. Volley after
volley was delivered in this way, but although it was plain that our
shot repeatedly took effect, their impact against the iron caseing of
the enemy, being distinctly heard and seen, yet we could not discover
but that the foe was indeed invulnerable.
At about half past<§five or six o'clock, P. M , or aft^- the action
had lasted about two hours and a half, the enemy, as slowly as he had
advanced, withdrew from the contest, apparently unharmed, so far at
least as his power of locomotion went. Subsequent events have hap¬
pily revealed the fact, that one at least of our enemy's "invulnerables"
has given proof that brick walls and earthen parapets still hold the
mastery.
The nearest the enemy ventured at any time to Fort Moultrie, was
estimated at one thousand yards, to Battery Bee sixteen hundred
yards, to Battery Beauregard fourteen hundred yards.
22
Fort Moultrie was garrisoned by a detachment from the first South
Carolina regular infantrf, Colonel William Butler, commanding, as¬
sisted by Major T. M.Baker, and consisting of the fallowing com¬
panies : ^
Company A, Captain T. A. Huguenin; company E, Captain R.
Press Smith; company F, Captain B. S. Burnett; company G, First
Lieut. E. A. Erwin commanding; company K, Captain C. H. Rivers.
Battery Bee was garrisoned by another detachment from the same
regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Jenkins, and con-
iisted of the following companies :
Company C, Captain Robert DeTreville; company H, Captain
Warner Adams; company I, Captain W. T. Tabourn.
Colonel L. M. Keitt, twentieth regiment South Carolina volunteers,
by my consent, took post at Battery Bee, and remained there during
th enaction.
Battery Beauregard was under the command of Captain J. A. Sit-
grcaves, first South Carolina regular artillery, and was garrisoned by
the following companies :
Company K, first South Carolina regular artillery, First Lieutenant
W- E. Erwin, commanding.
Company B, first South Carolina regular infantry, Captain J. H.
Warley, commanding.
It gives me pleasure to have it in my power to report that not a
single casualty occurred among any of these troops, with the exception
only of one in Fort Moultrie. Early in the action our flag-staff was
shot away, and in falling struck private J. S. Lusby, company F, in¬
flicting a severe wound, from which he died in a short time. Neither
the fort itself, or the material was in the least injured. It is due to
the garrison of Fort Moultrie and their soldierly and accomplished
commander, Colonel Butler, that I should not close this report with¬
out bearing testimony to the admirable skill, coolness and deliberation
with which they served their guns. They went, all—^men as well as
officers—to their work cheerfully and with alacrity, showing that their
hearts were in it. There was enthusiasm but no excitement. They
lost no time in loading their guns, but never fired hastily or without
aim.
The reports of Colonel Keitt, Lieutenant Colonel Simkins and
Captain Sitgreaves, give me every reason to believe the garrisons of
Batteries Bee and Beauragard acquitted themselves equally well, and
are equally entitled to the thanks and gratitude^ of their commander
and their country. "
Colonel Butler makes honorable mention of the following officers:
Captain M H. Wigg, A. C. S., when the flag-staff was shot away,
^promptly mounted a transom and placed the regimental flag in a con¬
spicuous place upon it. Captain G. A. Wardlaw, A. Q. M., and
Lieutenant and Adjutant Mitchell King, and First Lieutenant D. G.
Calhoun, were likewise prompt in placing the battle and garrison flags
in conspicuous positions. Lieutenant Williams, ordnance officer, ia
also favorably mentioned.
To Captains William Greene and B. G. Pinckney, of my staff, and
23
J"irsi Lieutenant A. H. Lucas, my aid-dp-camp, I am indebted for
valuable assistance, and my thanks are also due to Lieutenant Colonel
CLM. Dantzler and Doctor Gr. W. Westcott, volunteer aids for the
occasion.
I have the honor to transmit herewith, a statement in tabular form
showing'the expenditure of ammunition by Fort Moultrie and the
batteries during the action.
All of which is, respectfully submitted.
J. fi. TRAPIER,
Brigadier General commanding.
REPORT OF THE PART TAKEN BY FORT MOULTRIE IN
THE ACTION OF* THE 7TH APRIL.
Headquarters, Fort Moultrie, S. C , )
April 13, 1863. $
First Lieutenant W. E. IIane,
Adjutant Forces on Sullivan's Island:
Sir : I have the honor to submit the following statement of the
part taken by this fort in the action with the iron-clad fleet of the
abolitionists on the 7th of this month.
On the 5th the attacking -fleet, consisting of eight turreted gun¬
boats and the steam frigate Ironsides, crossed the bar and took a
position about three miles and a half or four miles from this fort.
On the 7th it advanced in the direction of the harbor, one of the tur¬
reted boats some distance in advance. As soon as the leading boat
Came within ravge, I reported the fact to the Brigadier General com¬
manding, and received orders from him to commence the action.
Thinking it was the object of the enemy to run by Fort Sumter, I
permitted the firing to be rapid at the commencement, using every
precaution, however, to encourage deliberation in aiming. The
boats engaged were at all times, during the action, within range of
the guns of this fort. About three-quarters of an hour after the
first gun was fired, the frigate Ironsides steamed up to within sixteen
hundred yards and took a position apparently with a view of taking
a prominent part in the action. All the guns that could be brought
to bear were trailed upon her and fired, and she in a few minutes
afterwards moved out of range. The fire was generally directed upon
the boat in advance, and I think with some effect. Shots were seen
to strike frequently, many of them breaking to pieces. The guns
engaged were manned by companies A, E, F and G, first South Caro¬
lina infantry, commanded respectively by Captains T. A. Huguenin
and R. Press Smith, first Lieutenant Erwin, and Captain B. S. Bur¬
nett; the mortars by company F and K, Captain C. H. Rivers, were
fired with ci*editable accuracy. Officers and men performed their
duties w ith spirit and celerity. During the action the flag staff was
<jut down by a shot from the enemy, which, in falling, struck private
Lusbv, company F, first South Carolina infantry, causing his death
in a few minutes. This was the only casualty of any importance.
One gunner, private Harrison, company G, lost a finger by some
inadvertence in running a gun into battery, but returned to his post
after getting his wound dressed. When the flag was struck down,
Captain W. II. Wigg, A. C. S., promptly placed the regimental flag
in a conspicuous place upon a traverse. Captain W. H. Whrdlaw,
A. Q. M., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Mitchell King and first
Lieutenant D. G. Calhoun were likewise prompt in placing the battle
and garrison flags in conspicuous positions. Major T. M. Baker,
first South Carolina infantry, was wherever his services would be
25
most useful. The ordnance officer, second Lieutenant Thomas Wil¬
liams, was at his post at the magazine; Much credit is due to him
for the good condition of the gun carriages and the ordnance storeji.
I have already submitted a report of the amount of ammunifiSh
expended. The guns engaged consisted of nine eight-inch colum-
biads, five thirty-two-pov,nder rifled and banded guns, five smooth
bore thirty-two-pounders and two ten inch mortars.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM BUTLER,
Colonel First South Carolina Infantry, commanding.
REPORT OF COLONEL KEITT OF THE PART TAKEN BY
THE BATTERIES ON SULLIVAN'S ISLANlS IN THE
ACTION OF THE 7TH OF APRIL.
Headquarters, Sullivan's Island, )
April 13, 1863. J
Captain Green, A. A. G. :
Captain : I had the honor this morning to send to yon the reports
of the commandants of the various batteries on Sullivan's Island en¬
gaged in the action of the 7th instant with the enemy's iron clad
fleet. The action was commenced at three o'clock by Fort Monltrie,
and in a short time thereafter was general throughout all the batteries.
Immediately after the opening of the engagement, I left Fort Moul¬
trie (where Brigadier General Trapier had stationed his headquarters
and was overlooking the conflict) and repaired to Battery Bee.
At this battery I found the garrison alert and ready to direct their
fire against the invading fleet. Their guns were promptly trained,
and fired with rapidity and great precision. I saw, very distinctly, a
large number of ten-inch shot from this battery strike the Keokuk,
and also two of the monitor vessels, which alternately advanced to
the front. They struck turrets, decks and hull. The injury inflicted
could not be accurately estimated, but I believe that it was severe.
The officers of the garrison were cool, vigilant and energetic, and
the men were prompt, active and thoroughly familiar with their
duties. Lieutenant Colonel Simkins overlooked the management of
the battery, and I testify to his vigilance, skill and the energetic dis¬
charge of his duties. The firing I thought a little too rapid, but I
have no doubt that in the end it subserved a good purpose. The
storm cf shot and bolts which fell around the enemy confused, if it
did not appal him.
The Beauregard Battery directed its fire with great precision
against the Ironsides and the two monitors which were nearest to it.
The shot from this battery struck those vessels repeatedly. The
officers and men behaved with the highest coolness and gallantry.
Fort Moultrie was under General Trapier's own eye, and he can
best tell how worthily she vindicated her historical reputation.
The companies of the twentieth regiment South Carolina volun¬
teers, which were upon the island, were drawn up to protect the
upper batteries and to repel a land attack, if such were attempted.
They were eager to join their brethren in arm3 in the conflict, but
the prudent abstinence of the foe from an attempt to land prevented
them. They were under command of Captain P. A. McMichael,
Lieutenant Colonel Dantzler having been invited by General Trapier
to act as his special aid on the occasion; and, had a land attack been
made, Lieutenant Colonel Dantzler could easily have reached the
27
portion of his regiment drawn up on the island, and have taken com¬
mand of it, which he intended to do.
I have the honor to be, Captain, your obedient servant,
LAWRENCE M. KEITT,
Colonel commanding Post.
Official:
William F. Nance,
Assistant Adjutant General.
CIRCULAR.
Headqrs First Military District S. C , Ga. and Fla. )
Charleston, December 26th, 1862. )
In case the proposed attack upon this harbor is known beforehand,
special directions will be given for the service of the different batte¬
ries. As, however, it may happen that a surprise may be attempted,
or that the intervening time between the knowledge of the intention
and the event may be too short, the instructions hereinafter contained
will be carelully attended to.
Each commanding officer of a fort or battery, will give his attention
immediately to the strengthening of his carriages, and the complete
preparation of his material. Beside making the proper requisitions
on the staff departments, let him endeavor to do as much as possible
from his own resources. While staff departments are, to a great ex¬
tent, crippled, for want of material and workmen, much can be accom¬
plished by ready expedients without their aid Every carriage must
be kept carefully screwed up, and if any are defective, made at least
temporarily efficient. All the elevating screws, eccentric wheels, and
traversing gear must be put in order, and kept so, and especial care
must be taken to see that, a full supply of small implements is con¬
stantly on hand.
Ammunition Should be examined, and immediately apportioned to
the several guns, reference being had to the orders heretofore given
on that subject; but where the quantity is not sufficient, the greater
portion should be given to the heavier guns, as on them principally
the success of the defence must depend.
Officers and men of each command must be kept on the alert, and
instructed to go to battery, at once, upon an alarm; and especial care
must be taken that each battery is in readiness for instant action, as
* '
the men arrive at their guns.
It is hoped and believed that most of these things are habitually
attended to, but as constant vigilance is our only security, they canr
not be too forcibly insisted upon.
Upon observing a disposition to attack on the part of the enemy,
the nearest fort or battery will give the alarm. By day a shotted
gun, and dipping the flag, will communicate the danger to the other
fortifications and headquarters. All commands will go at once to
battery, and the circumstances of the alarm communicated to head¬
quarters by telegraph or signal. By night, a shotted gun and a rocket
will give the intelligence.
In whatever way the attack is made by the enemy, he is to be en¬
gaged as soon as possible to do so effectually, with a few long range
guns from every fort that will bear. The number of these guns must
be left to the discretion of the commanding officers, who must see that
the fire is as accurate as possible. They must not engage too great a
number, and be careful not unduly to excite their men, or strain
their guns and carriages. While the long range fire , is valuable,
29
if accurate, to annoy the enemy, and force him to develope his attack,
it is not to be depended on for more. Other things being equal, it
will be well that the guns to leward are first engaged. The remain¬
ing guns of the batteries will be trained by battery on different
points where the enemy^nust pass, care being taken to have the fire
of eaeh battery concentrated. As the enemy approaches, let the dis¬
tance he will be in passing be accurately estimated by the distance
buoys, and the elevation made to correspond, making it too little ra¬
ther than too great for direct fire. If the vessels are passing rapidly,
the guns should be discharged by battery, just as the prows of the
vessels come across the line of sight.
In the case of wooden vessels, the object will be to hit them near
the water line, just abaft the smoke-stack. In the case of iron-clad
vessels, to hit the deck or the turrets at the intersection with the
deck, and especially to let all the shots strike at once.
The first fire will be concentrated upon the leading vessels, and will
be continued upon them as long as the guns by battery will bear well,
and especially if they became entangled in obstructions, even if cer¬
tain vessels engage to draw off the attention of the outermost batte¬
ries and remain behind.
Should some of the vessels succeed in passing, the action must then
pass into the hands of commanding officers of batteries. They will
pour in their fire as far as practicable, by battery, and as fast as it can
be done with accuracy on whatever vessels of the enemy may be nearest
them.
The guns of Beauregard battery, Fort Moultrie, Battery Bee, and
the eastern, northeastern and northwestern faces of Fort Sumter will
be used to form the first circle of fire to ivhich the enemy must be
subjected; the centre being a little to the eastward of a line between
the forts and midway. Every effort must be made to crush his ves¬
sels and repel his attack within this circle, and especially while he is
entangled in the. obstructions.
All the mortars of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie will be trained
on the centre above indicated. The fuzes will be of the full length,
and the shells have large bursting charges ; it being better to have
the fuzes fail than the shells to burst in the air, and the full effect of
the explosions being desirable if successful. The mortar batteries
will be fired by battery when the enemy's vessels are about two ship's
lengths from the point on which they are trained.
If the fleet is large, the mortars will be kept trained on the same
point, and fired by battery as rapidly as possible while the ffeet is pas¬
sing. If small, and a portion has passed the first circle of fire, the
mortars of Fort Sumter will be trained to operate on the second,
circle, the centre of which will be at a point about midway between
Forts Sumter and Ripley, and to the southward of the middle ground
shoal. It will be formed by, the heavy guns of Fort Johnson, Fort
Ripley, Castle Pinckney, Battery Bee, and the northwestern and
Western faces of Fort Sumter. -
The guns of Forts Johnston and Ripley and Castle Pinckney will
open on the leading vessels as they come within easy range, care
30
being taken that every shot finds it mark. Those of Fort Surater and
Battery Bee will continue upon the leading vessels as long as they are
close, but if they elongate their distance, the fire will be concentrated
on the vessels nearest them.
Should any vessel succeed in pas=ing the second circle of fire, the
third will be formed and put into action by 4he guns of White Point
battery and Battery Glover, with such guns of Forts Johnston and
Ripley and Castle Pinckney as will bear. Concentration on the lead¬
ing vessels will be the object as before.
During the action, care will be taken, as far as possible, to prevent
the chances of shot from the batteries taking the direction of our
own works. The best way of doing this will be to let none miss the
enemy, and when he is between the works most especial accuracy will
be striven for.
The vessels of the Confederate navy will engage during the action,
and they may often pas3 our batteries. In this case, officers and gun¬
ners cannot be too careful to avoid bitting them. Tho fire by battery,
as a general thing, will be discontinued at those vessels of the enemy
which our ships engage closely; but if occasion offers, endeavors will'
be made to hit the ports of the revolving turrets on the enemy's ves¬
sels when turned from our ships, to disarrange and throw out of gear
the machinery for closing the ports.
Accurate fire by single gun3 will be concentrated on the enemy's
vessels, if two or more attack one of ours; and should the distance
admit, then it will be advisable to pour upon one of them a heayy fire
by battery.
The plunging fire from Fort Sumter is expected to be particularly
effective, and when single rifled guns are fired from the barbettes of
that fort, it will be well to hit the grated roofs of the turrets with
square-headed bolts, followed by shells filled with molten iron.
The square-headed bolts for the ten-inch columbiads and the heavier
guns will be fired by battery when the enemy is within close range.
Solid shot and bolts will be used generally against iron-clads during
the action.
The furnaces for melting iron and heating shot will be kept in heat,
and heated projectiles will be used whenever occasion offers advantage.
Should it happen that any of the enemy's vessels become disabled
and endeavor to get out of fire, the outermost batteries must pay par¬
ticular attention to prevent them, and in case other of the enemy's
ships came to the assistance of the disabled, let every gun and mortar
which will bear be turned upon them by battery.
The great object of the enemy will probably be to run by, and every
effort must be made to crush him in each successive circle of fire which
he encounters.
Hog Island channel will bo obstructed, and the obstructions must
be guarded by the long range guns of Fort Sumter and the columbiad
of Battery Bee nearest it.
It is doubtful whether the enemy will attempt to pass by Folly
channel. If he does, a circle of fire will be formed by the guns of
Fort Ripley, Castle Pinchney and White Point battery.
31
The position of torpedoes will be communicated to commanding
officers; and the effort made to drive the enemy's vessels upon them
if he is taking other courses.
The obstructions will also be designated, and under no circum¬
stances will the enemy be permitted to reconnoitre them.
The headquarters of the undersigned will be at Fort Sumter, and
directions-be sent by telegraph and signal to the different posts, should
anything require special,directions.
Batteries Marshall and Wagner will be worked, to the extent of their
capacity for injuring the enemy, by their commanding officers, with¬
out unduly exposing their commands.
The directions given above relate, generally, to the defeat of an
attack by the enemy's fleet alone. Should a combined attack be made
by land and water, other orders can be issued, as nothing of that kiad
can be done by surprise.
The present circular will be studied and reflected upon by all offi¬
cers who w ill be engaged in this honorable duty of the coming defence.
With careful attention, coolness, and skilful gunnery, success is far
more than probable.
(Signed,) R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding.
Official:
Wm. F. Nance, A. A, General.
[official.]
REPORTS OF THE MILITARY ENGINEERS OF THE EN¬
GAGEMENT OF THE ENEMY'S IRON-CLAD FLEET WITH
THE FORTS AND BATTERIES COMMANDING THE OUTER
HARBOR OF CHARLESTON, ON THE SEVENTH OF APRIL,
1863.
Office of Chief Engineer, )
Charleston, Scuth Carolina, V
April 23, 1863. )
Brigadier General Tiiomas Jordan,
Chief of Staff.
General : In compliance with instructions, Major Echols has made
& report in detail of the engagement on the 7th instant of the enemy's
iron-clad fleet Vtith the forts and batteries commanding the outer har¬
bor of this city, which I have the honor to hand you herewith.
This report is based upon information derived from the command¬
ing officers of the forts and batteries engaged in the fight, and upon
an examination in company with myself of those works on the 8th
and 9th instant.
The fire of the enemy was directed chiefly against Fort Sumter, at
a distance of from nine to fifteen hundred yards. The injuries to the
fort, of which the tables and drawings accompanying Major Echols'
report give an accurate description, were not of a character to impair
its efficiency. The crushing effect of the enemy's heavy missiles was
less than I had anticipated. The chief damage was probably caused
by the explosion of shells against and in the walls of the fort.
The manner in which the fort withstood the bombardment is a mat¬
ter of congratulation, and encourages us to believe that the repairs
that have been made, and the measures now in progress to strengthen
and protect its walls, will enable the fort to withstand a much more
formidable bombardment with like good results.
Of the other works engaged, none of which attracted much of the
enemy's attention, only one—Fort Moultrie—received any damage,
and that was very trivial.
Fort Moultrie, Battery Wagner, and Cummins' Point battery fired
upon the fleet at a distance of from twelve to fiifteen hundred yards;
Batteries Bee and Beauregard at a distance of from sixteen hundred
to two thousand yards—too far, in the case of the latter named bat¬
teries, for useful effect against iron-clads.
Our batteries were admirably served by our skilled artillerists. Much
of the rapidity and accuracy with which our heavy guns were fired
was due to the use of Colonel Yates' traverser, with the merits of
which the General commanding has been fully impressed.
Our batteries discharged about twenty-two hundred shot of all sorts;
the enemy's fleet about one hundred and ten, chiefly fifteen-inch shell
33
and eleven-inch solid shot—not less than eighty of which, were di¬
rected at Fort Sumter.
The sinking of the Keokuk, and the discomfiture of ether iron¬
clads, has established their vulnerability to otir heavy projectiles at a
range, say, of from nine to twelve hundred yards.
It appeared on an examination of the wreck of the Keokuk, on
the 16th instant, by Lieutenant Boyleston, confirmed in the main by
my own observations on the 19th instant, that her turrets within four
and a half feet of their tops, had been pierced by four ten-inch shot
and one seven-inch rifle shot, and a wrought iron Brooke bolt had
penetrated seven-eighths of its length and stuck in the plating. Se¬
veral severe indentations were also observed, near which the plates
were warped and the bolts broken or started. The top of the smoke¬
stack (of sheet-iron; was very much torn, and the bottom of it (of
similar structure to the turrets) pierced by a ten-inch shot. The
vessel having sunk in thirteen feet of water, prevented an examina¬
tion of the lower portions of her turrets, or of her hull, which, no
doubt, were served in like manner. From this it would appear that the
ten-inch shot are just as effective at the distance, say, of nine hundred
yards as the seven-inch Brooke bolts against such structures as the
turrets of the Keokuk.
The result of this engagement is highly gratifying, and increases
our confidence in our ability, with good batteries of suitable guns, to
contend successfully with vessels of the monitor class. The enemy/a
evident and just dread of torpedoes, as evinced in his preparation for
their explosion, by the " Devil," or torpedo-searcher, should induce
us to multiply our defences of that character in whataiever manner^hey
can be made available.
I have the honor to be,
Yours, very respectfully,
D. B. HARRIS,
Major and Chief of Engineers*
Official:
G. Thomas Cox, Lieutenant Engineers.
Confederate States Engineer's Office, i
Charleston, S. C., April 9, 1863. j
Major D. B. Harris,
Chief Engineer Department;
Major : I have the honor to make the following report of the en¬
gagement between Fort Sumter and the enemy's iron-clad fleet on the
7th April, 1863, at three o'clock P. M., lasting two hours and twenty-
five minutes. '
The incidents which transpired during the engagement are based
upon information received from the officers in charge of the works,
but.more particularly from the observations of Colonel Rhett, com¬
manding Fort Sumter, and Lieutenant S. C. Boyleston, Adjutant first
regiment South Carolina artillery, who made special obervations dn-
3
34
ring tbe whole- action; the remainder from personal inspection 'after¬
ward. •
.. Forts Sumter, Moultrie, Batteries Bee, Beauregard, Cummin's
Point, and Wagner were engaged. The fleet consisted of the Iron¬
sides, supposed armament sixteen guns; the Keokuk, two stationary
turrets, carrying one gun each, and seven single revolving turreted
vessels, carrying (supposed) two guns in each, presumed to be the
Montauk, Passaic, Weehawken, Patapsco, Nahant, Catskill and Nan¬
tucket, which took position from nine hundred to fifteen hundred
ysirds from Fort Sumter.
They steamed up.main ship channel toward Fort Moultrie, in line of
battle, as follows : Four single turrets, Ironsides, three single turrets,
and Keokuk, following one after the other at intervals of about three
homdred yards—the foremost one moving slowly, and carrying on her
prow the " Devil," or torpedo-searcher, a description and drawing of
which is appended. When within twenty-two hundred yards, Fort
Moultrie fired the first gun upon her, near buoy number three, then
distant about fifteen hundred yards from Sumter, which had previously
trained her battery of barbette guns upon the buoy, and opened fire
bJ bat tery when she reached that position, at three minutes past three
o'clock. >
The first turret opened fire at five minutes past three, and moved
backward, thus developing their manoeuvre of attack. At this mo¬
ment the engagement became general. The second turret passed the
first, fired, moved backward; the first moved forward, passed the
second, fired, and backed, then retired from action; the other turrets
maneuvering in the same relative manner, each time nearing or re¬
ceding a little from the fort in order not to present a permanent
target.
The Ironsides, when at seventeen hundred yards from Moultrie, and
two thousand yards from Sumter, stopped, discharged a battery at the
former, when Sumter concentrated a heavy fire upon her; numbers of
shot were seen to strike her, and several to penetrate ; three, at least,
in her wooden stern. Deeming two thousand yards too close quar¬
ters, she retired out of range, supposed injured, in favor of less prom¬
inent and more formidable imps, after an engagement of forty-five
minutes The Keokuk, at five minutes past four, defiantly turning
her prow directly toward Sumter, firing from her forward turret
gun, the batteries of Sumter, Moultrie, Bee, and Cummin's
Point were concentrated upon her, her turrets receiving numbers rif
well directed shots, several apparently penetrating, showed evidence
of considerable damage. When within nine hundred yards she was
struck, supposed by a wrought iron bolt (117 lbs.) from a seven-inch
Brooke rifle en barbette, near her bow, penetrating, and ripping up a
plating about six feet long, and two and a half wide, which ended
her career; she stopped, seemed disabled for a few minutes, then turned
to the channel and proceeded toward the bar at forty-five minutes.'
past four. She sunk off the south end of Morris Island, at half-past*
eight o'clock,, the following morning ; her smoke-stack and turrets are
now visible at low water. From her wreck floated ashore a book,, a
85
spy-glass, and pieces of furniture bespattered with blood, and small
fragments of iron sticking in them.
The firing of the turrets was timed—-they discharged generally at
intervals of ten minutes; the engagement lasted two hours and
twenty-five minutes Allowing six of them constantly engaged, they
delivered eighty-seven shots ; one fired twice, and retired; the Keo¬
kuk fired three or four times, and the Ironsides about seventeen—
making the total number fired by the enemy about one hundred and
ten, which were principally directed at Sumter Her walls show the
effect of fifty-five missiles—shot, shell, and fragments; the carriage
of a ten-inch columbiad on western face was completely demolished by
a shot coming over the parapet; a forty-two pounder rifle on north¬
east faee, dismounted by breaking a traverse wheel—both soon re¬
mounted in position ; four stnall holes knocked in the roof of the
eastern quarters by grazing shots; an eight-inch columbiad burst on
the eastern face, throwing the chase and half the reinforce over the
parapet, the other half over the quarters in the parade, demolished
the carriage, but did no other damage; nearly all the window panes
and some of the sashes in the fort were broken by concussion.
The, accompanying table of effects of shot, and sketches of the ele¬
vations of the faces, show the points of impact, the kind of projectile-
used, so far as could be ascertained by inspection, and found; they
were principally fifteen-inch shells and eleven-inch shot. The nature
of the material against whieh they were projected, crumbling gener¬
ally without retaining an impression, precludes any positive.informa¬
tion as to their exact kind or calibre—only a few were evident; to
the best of my judgment, according to the effect, eight fifteen-inch
shells struck the faces—t^o of |hese penetrated the wall of the east¬
ern face,,just below the embrasures in the second tier, next to the
east pan-coupe, not seriously damaging the masonry; one explod-<
ing in the casemate set fire to some bedding, the other passed
through a window and burst in the centre of the fort. Several ex¬
ploded in contact with the wall, by which the principal craters appear
to have been formed ; one passed over the parapet into the quarters
on the western side, exploded, damaging several walls ; five eleven-
inch shot struck the faces, one penetrating near one of the same em-
'brasures pierced by the fifteen-inch shell, broke through and stuck
into the interior wall' of the quarters; only one impression repre¬
sented any appearance of a rifle projectile. One fifteen-inch solid
shot, one fifteen-inch hollow shot, several fifteen-inch shells and
eleven-inch shot were found in and around the fort; fragments of
fifteen-inch shells were picked upon the outside ; the berme being very
barrow and sloping prevented any means of ascertaining, by the bo¬
dies themselves, their kind—all being precipitated into the water after
striking. It is reported, also, that several shrapnel were fired over
the barbette guns of Sumter. Some of the shells which exploded in;
Contact with the wall may probably have been percussion rifle shells,
as some of the turrets are known to carry eight-inch rifles, but no
fragments were found, nor do any of the officers report indications of
rifle projectiles by sound or otherwise, with but one exception: the
36
commanding officer of Battery Wagner reports one by sound to have
passed over, fired by the Ironsides. Nine shots were fired at Moul¬
trie at distances : of turrets, thirteen hundred yards, of Ironsides,
seventeen hundred yards ; an eleven-inch shot struck down the flag¬
staff at thirty-seven minutes past three—passed through the roof of
the quarters, penetrated the wall of the ordnance storehouse, about
two feet thick, and dropped in the room; amother struck the glacis
and ricochetted ever the fort; a third, a fifteen-inch shell, burst at
the water's edge, a fragment of which was found, the others passed
over. Five shots were fired at Battery Bee without effect, at a dis¬
tance of about two thousand yards—one fell behind the breakwater,
another passed along the front of the battery and burst, the others
passed over. Six or seven were fired at Battery Beauregard, at a dis¬
tance of two thousand yards, without -effect; two eleven-inch shot
were found. Two were fired at Cumrgin's Point without effect—one
at twelve hundred or thirteen hundred yards, from Ironsides, the
other at fourteen hundred to fifteen hundred yards, from a turret.
Four were fired at Battery Wagner ; one from Ironsides sounded like
a rifle shot passing through the air, one grazed top of traverse, ano¬
ther exploded over the battery, sending a fragment into a traverse.
A single turret, which fired her two guns simultaneously, ceased to
fire one of them at about four o'clock—half of the port being closed
the remainder of the action; cause net visible. They were fre¬
quently struck upon their decks, and several shot were seen sticking
in the hull of one of them. And from another, steam issued when
struck upon it. A cast iron bolt (rifle forty-two) struck a bevelled
plate or guard around the base of a turret, which curved and turned
one end up.
The projectiles generally broke in pieces, as could be seen by frag¬
ments falling in the water, or bounded from the vessel. One, after
striking, was observed to drop and rest at the foot of the turret.
^Several of the smoke stacks were penetrated.
A lookout appeared on top of one of the turrets, apparently ob¬
serving the effect of the shot; at the flash of a battery from Moultrie
fie instantly disappeared.
The casualties are slight. At Sumter five men were wounded by
fragment^ of masonry and wood. One of the negroes engaged at
work at the fort, who was sitting on the berme of the western face,
was wounded by a brick knocked from the parapet and falling upon
fiis head.
At Moultrie one man was killed by the falling of the flag-staff
when shot away.
At Battery Wagner an ammunition chest in the angle of the
parapet and traverse, in the chamber of the thirty-two pounder,
exploded from the blast of the gun, killing three men, mortally
wounding one, slightly wounding Lieutenant Steadman, in charge, of
"the,gun,.and three men, blew them about twenty feet, cracked the
traverses, threw the shot from the pile of balls in every direction,
■and slightly damaged the chassis.
I arrived at Fort Sumter about two o'clock at night after the en-
37
gagement, and found Mr. E. J. White, of the engineer department,
busily engaged building in the casemates, first and second tiers,
behind the damaged walls, with sand bags; several of them were
completed and considerably strengthened. This work was continued
all night and the next day by the garrison and the fifty negroes who
had been employed at the fort, and remained during the engagement.
On the following morning the fleet lay inside the bar, in the same
line of battle in which they approached—the first one about two and
a half miles from Sumter, and one and a half miles from Morris
Island. Men were visible all day on the the turret of one, hammer¬
ing, evidently repairing her plating. Wind sails were set, indicating
that their quarters, even at this season of the year, were uncomfor¬
table and badly ventilated. About noon one of the turrets went
south, probably to Port Royal, for repairs or for the security of that
place against our ironclads from Savannah.
The Ironsides has kept up a full head of steam since the engage¬
ment, as can be seen by her constantly blowing off". Three holes are
distinctly seen in her stern, two just above the water line.
The " Devil " floated ashore on Morris Island—the cables by which
it was attached to the turret's bow were cut away. It is probable that
the " Devil," becoming unmanageable, was the cause of the turret
retiring early from the action—it being a massive structure, consist¬
ing of two layers of white pine timbers, eighteen inches square,
stronglj bolted together; a re-entering angle twenty feet deep to
receive the bow of the vessel, fifty feet long, twenty-seven feet wide;
a layer of bevelled timbers on the front forming a bow, seven heavy
iron plates, through which^passed chains directly down and over the
sides, through hawser pipes ; to these were attached grappling-irons
with double prongs, suspended underneath, at the sides and bow ; in
the countersinks of the plates were loose iron rollers, apparently to
facilitate the drawing of the chains through the holes over them,
when the grapplings took hold, to drag up to the " Devil" whatever
he may catch with his hooks.
The colors of the six turrets remaining on the 8th are as follows :
First turret, lead color ; stack, lead color; top of stack, red, with
black ring.
Second turret and stack, black.
Third turret, black; stack, white ; top, green.
FDurth turret, black ; stack, black; top stack (1-3), lead color.
Fifth turret and stack, lead color.
Sixth turret and stack, black.
The hull of the turret in running trim stands about two feet above
water level, carrying a whistle, stove-pipe, and stanchions for swing¬
ing a small boat on deck, with a light railing around it. When
cleared for action, she is submerged almost to the water level; the
other articles all removed flush with the deck. The issue of steam
from the deck several times observed, if not from injury, is probably
from the blow-off pipe, taken down flush, as she cannot carry it, as
other vessels, on her sides.
I accompany the report with a sketch of the battle-ground, show-
33
ing the relative positions of the forts and fleet ; one of the faces of
the fort, showing parts damaged ; one of the Keokuk ; one of a urre
submerged for action ; and one of the " Devil."
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J . WILLIAM H. ECHOLS,
Major Engineers.
Official:
G. Thomas Cox,
Lieutenant Engineers.
Table Of Effects of Projectiles on Walls cf Fort Sumter.
The numbers correspond with those on drawing of derations, showing
the locations of points of impact.
No.
Frag. 8he)l
10
15-inch
11-inch
15 inch
Frag. Shell
3 Shots
15-inch.
11
12
13 & 14
15
16
17
18
IS
20
21
22
£0
51
51
53
54
55
15-inch.
Projec-
t1lb.
Pene¬
tration.
Frag Shell
15 inch
Frag. Sholl
15-inch.
11-inch.
15 inch,
ll-inch.
15-inch
ll-i uch
Frag. Shell
15-inch ....
Frag. Shell
Frag. Shell
ll-i ch..
11-inch ....
15-inch..
11-inch.
Height. Width.
in. ft. in.
0 j 3
0 ! 3
Remakes.
Scaled.
Scried. -
Embrasure " A,V exterior concrete keystone and. in¬
terior embrasure arch knucsed out, masonry
cracked
Assisted No. 3. Spent.
Penetrated concrete and new n" asonry facing.
Ricochet and spent.
Scaled. .,
Apparently rifle shot: r.o s'erkvs iniury.
One 15-inch, other two not known, parapet wall
cracked twenty-five leer in length, serious damage
perhaps by exploding shell.
Interior arch of embrasure "B'> dislocated; ma¬
sonry betjveen piers and embrasure badly shaken
and projecting.
Scaled.
Shook masonry. 1
Scaled.
Interior embrasure (" C'") arch broken; masonry i
cracked.
Perhaps exploding shell.
Seated—spefit hail.
.Masonry shaken.
Exploding shell on pie; ; not much internal injury.
No serious injury.
Masonry around'embrasura 'lD" badly cracke
projecting inside
Penetrated, sinking head of arch and thrown up¬
ward, tearing away a quantity of masonry, not
seriously damaging body of .rnasoury, exploded la
casemate.
Same effect as 22. Destroyed embrasure " E."
|Not seriously damaging body of masonry.
Same effect as 22; destroyed embrasure "F;" ex¬
ploded in parade.
Scaled - ricochet and spent.
No serious damage.
No serious damage.
Serious damage ; wall not much cracked.
Scaled.
Knocked off one foot, of aiig'e.
Knocked off six inehea of at.-;!o.
Obiique fire. Scaled.
Scaled.
Shook masonry.
Broke, and projected in ac?c rf erabranuro
Very oblique fire. No damaqo.
■ml
;Q."
Exploding shell.
Oblique. Scaled.
No serious injury.
Scaled.
Scaled—very oblique.
Exploiiirg shell. Cracked parapet wall.
Knocked out iron embrasure t-lab 1 foot wi<se,C i'.)cre»
thick, 3 feed long ; indented it i;< inches, and b.oke
it in three pieces. Shook maeoorv.
No serious injury.
Brick traverse, east pan-eotipe.
Entered western qivniera'aiid exploded, damaging
walls.
Entered western quarters and remained in quarters.
Demolished lO iuch eolurnbiad carriage and chassis
in southwest angle.
Struck end stone masonrv berme southeast angle.
Four small holes knocked in brick arch roof of east¬
ern.quarters by grazing shots cr fragments from
traverse.
Official; V71LT.I AM H. ECHOLS, Mapr Engineers,
Q, Thos. Cox, Lieutenant Engineers.
40
TABLE showing the number, kind, and position of Guns in action and
number and kind of projectiles used against the iron-clad feet before
Charleston, 1th April, 1863.
EOCATICN.
Fort Sumter,
810 shots.
Eost and Northeast
faces, barbette.
1st tier
t\ tier
asenir.te,
Fort Moultrie,
663 shots.
Battery Bee,
283 sho's.
l'atttry Beauregard,
157 shots.
Cummin's Point,
65 e'aots.
Battery Wagner,
20 allots.
No.
Kind of Gun.
7-in. Broot's Kifles.
10-in. Columbiads. ..
8-in. . "
42-pounder Rifles
in Dahlgrens •
10-in. S. o. Mortars
8 in Shell Huns, navy.
8:in. " "
32-prundors
42-pounder Rifle
8 inch Columbiads .
32-pounder Rifles
32-pounders
10-inch S. C, Mortars.
10-inch Columbiads.
8-inch "
8-inch "
32-pounder Rifles...
lfl-ino.h Columhiad.
9-kieh Dahlgreu...
32-pounder Rifle.
24- " " .
32-pounders
Projectile.
"Wrought iron bolts.
Solid shot
Shot and bolts ;
Shot
Shells filled with melted iron,
Shot
Shot and & incendiary shells.
192 bolts, 38 shells
Shot
Shells
Shot.
41 bolts (75 lb. ) 45 shot.
7 shells.
Shot ..
Shells.
Shot
No, of dans.
Total number shots fired.
2209
WM. H. ECHOLS, Major Engineers.
Gi3cial :
G. Taos. Cox, Lieut. Engineers.
REPORT FROM BATTERIES AT FORT JOHNSON OF
ENGAGEMENT OF 7TH APRIL, 1863.
Headquarters at East Lines, )
April 12th, 1863. i
To Colonel C. H. Stevens,
Commanding East Division, James Island, S- C. :
Colonel: I have the honor to report that one of my companies,
company I, Captain Humbert, stationed at Fort Johnson, had a
small share in the glorious little fight of the 7th instant, with the
turreted iron-clads in Charleston harbor.
About half-past two o'clock of that afternoon, eight (8Viron-clads
were seen approaching for the purpose of engaging Fort Sumter, and
when within easy range, they opened fire upon her. My guns of
heavy calibre at that post, being so placed as to bear only upon the
inner harbor, could not be brought to bear upon the iron-clads, but in
our anxiety to "have a place in the picture," and in order somewhat
to test the range of a ten-inch mortar in that direction, I authorized
Lieutenant Bolivar, in charge, to open i re from it, which, after being
fired twice with shell, filled and plugged, and the object sought
attained, was ordered to be discontinued.
The officers and men were all eagerly anxious to play a part in the
engagement, and we only regret that our position was such as to pre¬
vent our having a more prominent place in an engagement which does
so much credit to all concerned.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully,
A. D. FREDERICK,
Col. second reg't S. C. artillery, commanding.
Upon this was the following endorsement:
Headquarters James Island and St. Andrews, )
McLeod's, April 14, 1863. $
Respectfully forwarded. I reached Fort Johnson some twenty
minutes after the engagement betwen the monitors and the forts and
batteries had commenced, on the 7th instant, and finding that the
mortar at Fort Johnson was not effective, the range being too great,
ordered the firing discontinued after two shells had been thrown.
Battery Glover was not engaged at any time.
Respectfully,
S. R. GIST,
Brigadier General.
ACTION OF APRIL 7TH, CHARLESTON HARBOR.
Battery Beauregard, )
Sullivan's Island, April 15th, 1863. J
Captain Wm. Green, A. A G. :
Captain : I have the honor to report that about two o'clock, P. M.,
on Tuesday, the 7th instant, it was reported to me that the enemy's
iron-clads, which had previously taken a position inside the bar, were
. steaming up main ship channel. I ordered the long roll sounded and
all the guns of this battery to be manned forthwith, placing those
men who were not engaged at the pieces in a position so as to be pro¬
tected from the fire of the enemy. As soon as the leadiug boat came
within range, and after Moultrie and Sumter had opened, I directed
the fire of two rifled guns and an eight-inch columbiad on that boat,
and continued to fire on her, until 1 was satisfied that it was not her
intention to pass the forts. I fired rapidly at first because I saw that
she would soon reach a point on which my rifled guns could not be
brought to bear. About this time the Ironsides came up and exposed-
her broadside, when I immediately directed the fire of the same guns
on her, and paid more attention to her than any other boat during
the fight. I occasionally fired a shot at the Keokuk, or any one of
them that offered a fair mark to the guns used. About half-past four,
I found that my supply of rifled projectiles and eight-inch solid shot
was getting short. I ordered the firing to cease, and sent a messen¬
ger to the fort to'know if I could be supplied, but received a message,
from Brigadier General J. H. Trapier, in the meantime, to cease firing
altogether.
The guns that were engaged were manned alternately by detach¬
ments from company K, first South Carolina artillery, Lieutenant W.
E. Erwin commanding, and from company B, first infantry, Captain
J. II. Warley commanding. I am satisfied that the Ironsides was
struck several times by shot from this battery, and I think one.ortwo
others were also struck, with what effect it is impossble to say, except
from reports since the engagement, which lead us to believe that the
enemy were considerably damaged. I have reasons to be satisfied
with the firing, and the cool, deliberate, and determined aspect which
characterized both men and officers during the engagement. I enclose.-
a tabular statement of the amount and kinds of ammunition expended.-
The enemy fired several rounds at us, none of which took effect.
There were no casualties from any cause whatever.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
J. A. SITGREAVES,
Captain commanding,
REPORT OF ENGAGEMENT OF 7TH OF APRIL, 1863.
Headquarters Detachment First Infantry, )
Battely Bee, April 13th, 1863. >
To Captain Wm. Green, A. A. G.:
Captain : I have the honor to report that, at about half-past two,
P. M., on Tuesday, the 7th instant, the officer of the day reported to
me that the monitor fleet of the enemy, accompanied by the Ironsides,
was approaching. I immediately ordered the long roll beat; the guns
were manned, and everything got in readiness for action. On reaching
the battery, nine (9) iron-clads, including the Ironsides, were observed
slowly making, their way up Ship channel. At this time four (4) of
the monitors proper were in line of battle in advance, the Ironsides
and others in rear. While waiting the nearer approach of the enemy,
instructions were given that the 'left section of the battery commanded
by Captain Warren Adams, should Commence firing, on an order from
me, to be followed, first by Captain Wm. T. Tatom, commanding cen¬
tre section, and finally by Captain Robert De Treville, commanding
section on extreme right, and that the fire should be concentrated on
the leading vessel, until otherwise directed. The advance vessels still
numbering four, took their positions/alternately ranging from eighteen
hundred to two thousand yards from this battle. At three o'clock, P.
M., Fort Moultrie opened on the enemy, followed by Fort Sumter.
Ten minutes later (ten minutes past three, P. M.) this battery opened
fire. At this time the fire became general from all the outer forts
and batteries in the harbor, and the advanced iron-clads of the enemy,
which fired slowly, directing their fire principally at Fort Sumter. An
occasional shot was fired at this battery, none of them doing any
injury. As it was believed that the object of the enemy was to pass
the batteries and enter the harbor, the firing at first was rapid, but at
all times deliberate and wejl directed. When it became evident that
such w;as not his intention, the firing from the battery became slower,
and continued so until the Keokuk advanced in close range to Fort'
Sumter and this battery, at which time the order was given to fire
more rapidly and to concentrate it on her. Two hundred and eighty-
three (283) solid shot were fired from this battery—Captain Adams
firing one hundred and twenty-six; Captain Tatom, eighty-four;
Captain De Treville, seventy-three* Of this number many were
distinctly seen to strike the vessels aimed at, and it is believed doing
serious damage in many instances.
At half-past five, P. M*, the enemy's fleet withdrew and all firing
ceased. The officers and men of this command did their duty.
I am happy to state that no casualties occurred at this bat¬
tery, and believe the command to be as effective as it was prior to tho
engagement.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
. Your obedient servant,
J. C. SIMKINS, Lieut. Col. commanding.
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT W. S. GLASSELL OF VISIT
TO THE KEOKUK.
C. S. Gunboat Chicora, )
Charleston Harbor, April 13th, 1S63. )
To Brigadier General Ripley :
General : Having made a visit to the Keokuk this morning, with
a view to observing the effect of your batteries upon her iron turrets,
I succeeded in procuring the trophies, which it affords me much plea¬
sure to forward to you, viz: Two United States flags, two pennants,
and three signal flags. Several other artiqles were also obtained—a
rammer, sponges, lanterns, &c., which are on board the Chicora.
I am, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
W. S. GLASSELL,
First Lieutenant, C. S. N.
BRIGADIER GENERAL R. S. RIPLEY'S REPORT OF THE
OPERATIONS OF TROOPS UNDER HIS COMMAND FROM
THE 8TH TO THE 20TH DAY OF JULY, 1863, INCLU¬
SIVE.
Headquarters First Military District, )
Charleston, South Carolina, July 22, "1863. )
Brigadier General Thomas Jordan,
Chief of Staff:
General: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
daily occurrences of my command, commencing on the 8th instant,
on whichtday the enemy's iron-clad fleet appeared off the bar, and his
force of transports at sea and in the Stono river was largely increased,
indicating the renewal of the attack on the approaches of the city of
Charleston. With the limited force at my command, such measures
as could be taken to guard the salient points of attack, the south end
of Morris Island and James Island, were ordered, and directions given
for the disposition of troops ordered by the commanding General for
reinforcements.
On the 9th, the enemy landed a strong force on Battery Island and
unmasked works on Little Folly bearing upon our positions at the
south end of Morris. The works at that point were from various,
causes incomplete, and, from want of transportation, the arrival of
reinforcements was tardy.
Endeavors were made to strengthen our position on Morris Island,
but, from lack of force, no great improvement was accomplished.
On the morning of the 10th the enemy opened a heavy fire upon
our positions from Little Folly with from twenty to thirty long range
guns, which he had placed in battery during the night. Soon after
four monitors took position to the northeast of the position, enfilading
it and taking some of the batteries in reverse. Our troops defending
were composed of the twenty-first South Carolina volunteers, under
Colonel R. T. Graham, two companies of the first South Carolina
artillery, under Captains J. C. Mitchell and J. R. Macbeth, and a de¬
tachment of the first South Carolina infantry, under Captain Charles
T. Haskell, in all about seven hundred, with the following artillery
placed in position, in detached batteries along the shore, to command
the beach and the crossing from Little Folly, viz : three eight-inch
navy shell guns, two eight-inch sea coast howitzers, one rifled
twenty-four-pounder, one thirty-pounder Parrott, one twelve-pounder
Whitworth, and three ten-inch sea coast mortars, in all eleven pieces*
There were on Morris Island, besides two companies of artillery
under Captains Chichester and Mathews, the garrison of Battery
Wagner, and one at Battery Gregg, under Captain Lesesne, all the
artillery under Lieutenant Colonel James A. Yates, first South Caro-
46
lina artillery. After about three hours furious shelling from the
enemy, to which our guns steadily replied, a large numbor of barges,
filled with troops, came up Little Folly river, and, under cover of their
fire, succeeded in effecting a landing at Oyster Point and the main
shore of Morris Island. The enemy advanced immediately, driving
back our inferior force of infantry, and succeeded in expelling our
troops from the south end of Morris Island, and capturing the artil¬
lery above named, with its munitions. This was not effected without
a severe struggle, in which we lost two hundred and ninety-four
killed, wounded and missing, among whom I mention, with especial
regret, the following officers : Captains Cheves and Haskell, and
Lieutenant Bee, who had rendered important service previous to, and
behaved with distinguished gallantry in, the engagement.
The^first reinforcements, Nelson's seventh battalion South Carolina
volunteers, arrived at the close of the action, and could only assist in
covering the retreat, which was made under the flank fire of the
monitors to Battery Wagner, where our troops were formed, to resist
further advances, and the guns of which. opened on the pursuing
enemy. Fort. Sumter and Battery Gregg also opened fire, and put a
stop to their proceedings for the day.
In the evening Battery Wagner was reinforced by Colonel Olm-
stead's command of Georgia troops, and the garrison kept on the
alert for defending it against an attack. This occurred at dawn on
the 11th, "when the enemy advanced upon the work in two columns
and made a desperate assault, which was gallantly and decidedly re¬
pulsed, with a loss to the enemy which may safely be estimated at
over eight hundred men. Our burying parties interred over one
hundred inside of our lines, and one hundred and thirty were taken
prisoners.
, Our loss was one officer and five privates killed, and one officer and
five privates wounded. The enemy on land remained comparatively
quiet during the day, being engaged burying his dead and strength¬
ening his position. Three monitors and three wooden gunboats
engaged and bombarded the fort.
On the 12th Brigadier General Hagood took command of the posi¬
tions on James Island. Brigadier General Taliaferro was assigned tb
the command of the works on Morris Island. The armament of the
fort was increased by four twelve-pounder howitzers, under Colonel
Du Pass and Lieutenant Waties, and two thirty-two-pounder carron-
ades, on siege carriages. The enemy's shot took effect on the steaffl
Scow Manigault, lying at a partially constructed battery at Vincent's
creek, disabling the scow and scattering the workmen. Battery Wag¬
ner was shelled by the enemy's fleet continuously during the day.
One monitor took a position to the northward, apparently to enfilade
the rear of the work. Lieutenant Colonel Yates ordered Battery
Gregg to open rapidly, which it did, driving the monitor off, appa-
rently severely injured, as she transferred her crew at once to one of
the gunboats. ' -
On the ISth, under the able supervision of Brigadier General
Taliaferro, continued preparations were made against a renewed
47
attack-. The twenty-first South Carolina volunteers and two compa¬
nies of the first South Carolina artillery were relieved by the
fifty-first North Carolina and a detachment of Georgia artillery under
Captain Buckner. The land operations of the enemy consisted in
erecting batteries and protections, in which they were interrupted by
the fire from Fort Sumter and Battery Gregg. The gunboats and
monitors kept up a continued shelling throughout the day, with but
.slight intermissions when they had sufiered from the fire of the sea
fronts of Wagner and Gregg. In the evening the enemy succeeded
in setting fire to the wreck of the steam scow Manigault, in Vincent
creek.
On the 14th two regiments, under Brigadier General A. H. Col¬
quitt, arrived, which were sent to James Island to reinforce Brigadier
General Hagood's command. Brigadier General Clingman's com¬
mand, consisting of the eighth, thirty-first, fifty-first and sixty-first
North Carolina regiments, had arrived the previous day, and, with the
exception of the fifty-first, vvere stationed on James Island.
The enemy's wooden gunboats shelled Battery Wagner during the
day at long range. During the night, Brigadier General Taliaferro
threw out a party, one hundred and fifty strong, under Major Ryan,
of the seventh South Carolina battalion, wbich< drove in the enemy's
pickets from Ms rifle pits, extending across the island about three-
quarters of a mile from Battery Wagner, back upon bis main
supports, inflicting a considerable loss, with but small upon our part,
On tbe 15th the enemy landed troops in force on Morris Island,
and there were indications of a renewal of the assault on the fort.
The frigate Ironsides had crossed the bar on the night of the ,14th.
During the day the enemy was strengthening his position, our troops
being engaged in repairing- damages and replying to the enemy's
monitors, gunboats and sharpshooters. The Charleston battalion,
under Lieutenant Colonel P. C Gaillard, relieved the seventh battalion
and three companies of the twentieth regiment South Carolina volun¬
teers ; Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Simkins, first South Carolina
infantfy, relieved Lieutenant Colonel J. A- Yates in command of the
artillery on Morris Island; Captain Adams' company, of first South
Carolina infantry, relieving Captain Chichester's company of artillery.
Brigadier general Hagood made a reconnoissance of the enemy, in
his front on James Island.
On the morning of the 16th, in accordance with instructions, Brig¬
adier General Hagood advanced against the enemy, from his head¬
quarters near Secessionville, James Island, driving in the enemy's
pickets on his left, and making an advance against that portion of their
force. Two columns made the attack, one led by Brigadier General
A. H. Colquitt and the other by Brigadier General Hagood in person.
The enemy was protected by the fire of his gun boats in Stono and
Little Folly rivers. Brigadier General Hagood succeeded in driving
the enemy, about two thousand in number, from James Island, and
inflicting upon him a serious loss in killed and wounded, capturing
fourteeil negroes belonging to the fifty-fourth Massachusetts regiment.
Not the least important of these operations was the engagement with the
48
sloop of war Pawnee, by two sections of Napoleon guns, under com¬
mand of Lieutenant Colonel Del. Kemper, in which the steamer was
injured and forced to retire. General Hagood's loss was three killed,
twelve Wounded, and three missing. The enemy withdrew entirely
from James Island to Battery Island, when General Hagood advanced
his pickets, and the ground has been held to the present date, 22nd
July.
At Battery Wagner and on Morris Island, our trcops continued
their works of repair, subject to a continued shelling from gun-boats
and monitors at long range.
On the 17th, the enemy's vessels all disappeared from the Stono,
and his troops were concentrated on Little Folly and Morris Islands.
Firing from the enemy's fleet and land batteries was kept up during
the day on Battery Wagner, which interfered seriously with the
transportation to Cummins Point. This has had, ever since, to be
carried on at night.
On the night of the 17th, the thirty-first North Carolina regiment,
relieved Colonel Olmstead's command of Georgia troops, and Captain
Carven's company of the twentieth South Carolina volunteers.
The work of repair and preparation was proceeded with during the
night, and at daylight on the 18th, the enemy's land and sea batteries
opened a feu d'cvfer upon the devoted work. The practice was rapid
in the extrene, from the Ironsides, from the monitors, and from all the
wooden gun-boats which, without exposing themselves, could get the
range. According to Brigadier General Taliaferro's estimate, over
nine thousand shot and shell were thrown, but as if by the special in¬
terposition of Providence, our loss was slight. Indications of an
assault at dusk were apparent, and the guns of Sumter and Battery
Gregg were in preparation to open fire over Battery Wagner, on the
columns of the enemy. Brigadier General Hagood was relieved from
the command of James Island, to be in readiness to support or relieve
Brigadier General Taliaferro, and Colonel Harrison's thirty-second
regiment of Georgians proceeded to the reinforcement and relief of
the garrison. While in passage, the assault commenced, whidh was
bravely met and repulsed with terrific slaughter on the part of the
enemy by the heroic garrison and its commander, Brigadier General
Taliaferro, who directed all the operations until the final repulse.
In his report the details of the assault and its repulse are set forth;
and I cannot do more or better than to second his commendations of
those brave officers and men who stood the tempest of shot and shell
aiid sent back the columns of the enemy from their work, with a loss
which may safely be computed at about three thousand in killed;
wounded and prisoners. Brig. General Hagood with Colonel Harrison's
regiment, assisted in the final repulse of a party who had npde a
lodgement in the southeastern salient of the Battery.
The carnage of the enemy in the confined space in front of Battery
Wagner, was extreme. The ditch and glacis were encumbered with
the slain of all ranks and colors, for the enemy had put the poor
negroes, whom they had forced into an unnatural service, in front, to
be, as they were, slaughtered indiscriminately. The white* Colonel
49
who commanded them fell with many officers of the regiment, the
fifty-fourth Massachusetts, and the colors under which they were sent to
butchery by hypocrisy and inhumanity, fell draggled in blood and
Band in the ditch, a mournful memorial of the waste of industry.
This result was not accomplished without a loss on our part of brav'e
officers and men, though of those who in the struggle battled for the
right, the proportion who fell was far less than that of their enemy.
In this engagement, our loss in killed, wounded and missing, was
one hundred and seventy-four. Among the officers, whose loss we
have to lament and whose position and services entitle them to special
mention, were Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Simkins, of the first South
Carolina infantry, Captain William H. Ryan, Charleston battalion,
Captain W. T. Tatum, first South Carolina infantry, who were killed;
and Major David Ramsey of the Charleston battalion, who was severely
wounded. Other gallant officers and soldiers fell, whose names ore
mentioned in the reports of their several commanders, and whose
memories should be cherished by a grateful country. While the as¬
sault on Battery Wagner was progressing. Battery Gregg, under
Capt. Lesesne, and the batteries of Fort Sumter under Colonel Alfred
Rhett, kept up a continuous fire upon the ground over which the ene¬
my advanced, until Brigadier General Taliaferro advanced his pickets
to the front, when they ceased, and the narrow field of battle was quiet
fbr the night.
Brigadier General Taliaferro, who had been in command and on
trench duty for five days, was relieved in the morning, by Brigadier
General Hagood.
, This report, ending with the second repulse of the enemy from
Battery Wagner, will be continued from that time. The operations
of the enemy from that date, within the limits of my command, have
changed their character. In closing it, I have the honor to express
my high appreciation of the distinguished services of Brigadier Gen¬
eral Taliaferro, who commanded the troops in Battery Wagner, with
great ability and gallantry, and.repulsed the memorable assault of the
18th, and of the excellent conduct of Brigadier Generals Hagood and
Colquitt, as evinced in the attack on the enemy's position, on the 16th.
Besides these, Colonel Graham, twenty-first South Car olina volunteers.
Colonels Oltristead and Harrison, of the Georgia volunteers, Lieuten¬
ant Colonel P. C Gailjard, Charleston battalion, Lieutenant Colonel
Yates, Captains J*. 0. Mitchell, Lesesne, first South Carolina artillery.
Captains'Chichester, Mathews, Buckner, Dixon, Du Pass, and'Lieu¬
tenant Colonel Harris ahd Captain^ Ramsay and Barnwell, engineers,
deserve special consideration for tfyeir. gallant and Valuable services.
The signal cofps, under Lieutenant Markoe, have been actively
employed, and that officer has reported sergeant J. E. Edgeton, privates
W. S. Lance, E. W. Martin, W. D. DuBarry, A Grimball, and F. K.
Huger, for zeal and gUllahtr^ in periorming their duties under the
heavy and continuous fire of the enerfiy.
During this period of ahxifety and activity, the officers serving upon
the district staff, have performed theft duty in such manner as to en¬
able me to rely with confidence upon their further exertions during
4
50
the continuance of the contest I feel it proper to refer, with special
commendation, to Captain William F. Nance, Assistant Adjutant
General, whom I have more than once recommended for promotion,
and whose services become steadily more valuable as they become more
arduous. I have also to express my satisfaction with the manner in
which their respective and laborious duties have been discharged by
Majors Motte A. Pringle and C. H. Juber, quartermasters, and Carpi-
tain C. C. Pinckney, ordnance officer, Captain B. H. Read, A. A. G.
and Lieutenant Schnierle, A. A. D. C., were present and actively
engaged in the operations of the 16th. Lieutenants Rogers and Wag¬
ner, A. D. C., have been continuously employed.
I have to acknowledge the services of Major J. Motte Middleton
and Captain Thomas D Eascn, upon my personal staff.
The limits of this report are such that it may be that many things
are omitted which should be mentioned to the credit of many merito¬
rious officers, and these 1 will endeavor to mention in a supplement.
Accompanying, are the reports of Colonel R. T. Graham, of the
action of the 1()th instant, and of the assault on the morning of the
1 ith ; -of Brigadier General Taliaferro, of the operations of the troops
on Morris Island, from the 13th to the 19th instant, inclusive; of Brig.
General Hagood, of the engagement with the enemy's pickets on
James Island, and with the Pawnee, in the Stono ; of Lieutenant Mar-
koe, sigaal officer, and of all subordinate commanders.
I also enclose tabular lists of the killed, wounded and missing, and
Let of prisoners captured during the period of this report.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier Qtw.ral commanding.
Upon which appears the following endorsement:
Headquarters South Caroefna, Georgia and Florida, )
Charleston, S, C., Aug. 1, 1865. >
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the War Department.
I see but little to add to this clear and full report of recent operations
in this quarter, submitted by the commanding General of this district,
whose disposition of troops and general conduct of the responsible
duties entrusted to him, I beg to commend to the special notice of his
excellency the President.
In connexion, however, with this relation of events, between the
9th and 19th ultimo, I beg to call attention to my letters to the Sec¬
retary of War, of the 10th May and 20th July, and one to General
Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, dated June l&th, as contain¬
ing information essential for a proper knowledge of the situation.
I beg leave also to express my high appreciation of the gallant
conduct of the officers and men engaged, "especially those mentioned
by Brigadier Generals Ripley and Taliaferro, tmd by subordinate
commanders.
51
The conduct of Brigadier General Taliaferro during the operations
of the 18th July,Und the assault on Battery Wagner that nighty Can¬
not be too highly commended. Lieutenant Colonel D. B. Harris,
chief engineer present on that occasion, behaved in the emergency
with characteristic and conspicuous coolness, energy and professional
skill. He aided materially to repulse the enemy. Accompanying are
the following papers, viz :
Report of Brigadier General Taliaferro and subordinate comman¬
ders, marked "A;" report of Colonel R. T. Graham and subordinate
commands, marked " Breport of Lieutenant F. Markoe, com¬
manding signal corps, marked " C list of officers and men captured
by our forces on Morris Island, marked " D papers relative to ex¬
change of wounded prisoners, marked " E and list of negro priso¬
ners, marked "F."
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Gener<d commanding..
REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W'l££l AM & TALIA~>
FERROOF THE BOMBARDMENT AND ASSAULT OF FORT
. WAGNER, JULY 18TH, 1863.
CifAaiiESTON, SoUTIJ CAROLINA, >
July 21, 1863. \
''Captaiiaa Nance, A. A< G. 1
Captmn : I have the honor to report,- for the information of the
Brigadier General commanding the district of South Carolina, the
operations o£ the troops of my command, on Morris Island, during
the week commencing Monday, the 13 th instant, and particularly'the
occurrences ©f Saturday, the 18th instant, which terminated in'a: most
decisive and "Overwhelming repulse of the enemy.
On Monday, the 13th instant, I made such an inspection of parts
of the island as the limited means at my disposal offered, and on'
'Tuesday morning relieved Colonel Graham of the command of the
troops, including the garrisons of Forts Wagner and Gregg.
I found that the abolitionists occupied the island, in force, from the
southern part to Gregg's hill, upon which they were already erecting
batteries, and had constructed a signal station ; that they had thrown
•forward their skirmishers to a point indicated hy a single Palmetto'
tree, one mile and a quarter to their front, and about three quarters'
• of a mile from Fort Wagner, at which last post, the undulating and
successive ranges of sand Mils shielded them and their operations
from our view.
In the course of • the morning, their riflemen gave us some annoy¬
ance, and during the day, the wooden vessels of their fleet, aided by one
turreted iron-clad, attacked our works, throwing some three hundred
heavy shell and shot. I determined to make a slight reconnoissance
at night, (:o feel the enemy and to add to the bonfidence of the gar¬
rison,) and ordered a party consisting of one hundred and fifty men,
from various commands, under Major Ryan, of Nelson's South Caro¬
lina battalion, to push forward, drive in the enemys pickets, and feel
its way until it encountered a heavy supporting force. This duty
was gallantly and well performed. Major Ryan pushed the pickets
and first reserve back upon a reserve brigade, in such disorder that
the latter fired upon their retreating companies, inflicting a heavy
loss, in addition to the punishment already inflicted fey Major Ryan.
I established rifle-pits some two hundred yards outside the works,
f(thc nearest practicable point,) and made such dispositions for hold-
ling the post against assaults, (by assigning each command its partic¬
ular position, &c.,) as were necessary. ■ •
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the bombardment was kept
up from the .fleet, from ten until five each day; the average number
•of projectiles thrown at the works being three hundred daily; the ca¬
sualties being few, and the damage to the fort inappreciable, our work
having been directed up to this time, not to repairs, but to improve-
53
ments at Forts Wagner and' Gregg. During these„three days, the
ejiemy, under/cover of the s-and hills, erected batteries on land, the
nearest being about three-quarters of a mile off, and others extending
from Gregg's hill to the left, and distant about one mile, and three-
quarters from Fort Wagner. These batteries were gradually un¬
masked, and were, with the exception, of the first, entirely without
range of our guns.
On Saturday morning, the 18th instant, at eight and a quarter, A M.,
the enemy having disclosed his land batteries, brought up to their
support his entire fleet, consisting of the Ironsides, flag-ship, five
monitors, and a lage number of wooden steam gun-ships. With this
immense circle of fire by land and sea, he poured, for eleven hours,
without cessation or intermission, a storm of shot and shell upon Fort
Wagner, which is, perhaps, unequaled in history.
My estimation is that not less than nine thousand solid shot and
shell of all sizes, from fifteen-inch downwards, were hurled du¬
ring this period, at the work; the estimate of others is very much
greater. The garrison of the fort on this day consisted of the
Charleston battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard, (whose position ex¬
tended from the sally port, in Light House inlet creek on the right,
to the left until it rested on Colonel McKea-tchin's regiment fifty-first
North Carolina,) which extended to the gun chamber, opposite the
bomb-proof door, at which point, and extending along the face of the
work to the left, to the sally port next to Fort Gregg; the thirty-first
North Caroling, Lieutenant Colonel Knight, occupied the work.
These positions for the infantry were verified by frequent inspections,
and the several commands were required to sleep in position, and each
man was instructed as .to the exact point which he should occupy, and
which in any moment of confusion he would be required to gain and
hold. In addition to this, a small portion of the thirty-first North
Carolina were held as a reserve in the parade, and a part occupied
the parapet just to the right of the sally port. On the outside of the
fort two companies of the Charleston battalion held the sandhills
along the beach, and their face extending from the sally port to the
sea-beach.
The'artillerists occupied the several gun chambers, and two light field
pieces were placed in battery, outside of the fort onthe traverse, near the
sally port.. The artillery command consisted of Captains Tatum and
Adams' first South Carolina infantry, Bucknet and Dixon's sixty-third
Georgia heavy artillery, and Captain DuPass, commanding light ar¬
tillery, all under the general command of Lieut. Col. Simkins, chief
of artillery. The infantry, except the Charleston battalion, and the-
artillery, except the gun detachments, were placed shortly after the-
shelling commenced, under cover of the bomb-proofs. The first
named battalion, with a heroic intrepidity never surpassed, animated,
by the splendid example of their field officers, Lieutenant Colonel
Gaillard and Major Ramsey, had no protection, except such as the-
parapet afforded them, yet maintained their position without flinching,,
during the entire day. The ten-inch gun was fired at intervals of ten;
to fifteen minutes, against the iron-clads, and the heavy guns on the;
54
land face, •whenever the working parties or cannoniers of the enemy
on the land"showed themselves within range. The mortar in charge
of Captain Tatum was fired every half hour.
The casualties during the day, from the bombardment, did not ex¬
ceed eight killed and twenty wounded.
About ten o'clock, the flag halyards were cut, and the Confederate
flag blew over into the fort. Instantly Major Ramsey, of the Charles-:
ton battalion, Lieutenant Rudick, sixty third Georgia, (artillery,)
sergeant Shelton, and private Fljnn, Charleston Battalion, sprang for¬
ward and replaced it on the ramparts, while at the same time, Captain
Barnwell, of the engineers, dashed out, seized a battle-flag, and
erected it by the side of the garrrison flag. This flag was subse¬
quently shot away, and replaced by private G. Gilleland, Charleston
battalion.
As night approached, the increased severity of the bambardment
plainly indicated that an assault would be made, and orders were is¬
sued to the command to prepare to man the ramparts.
At a quarter to eight, the lines of the enemy were seen advancing,
and the bombardment slackened to an occasional shell from the ships
and land batteries. As the enemy advanced they were met by a'
shower cf grape and canister from our guns, and a terrible fire of
musketry from the Charleston battalion and fifty-first North Carolina.
These two commands gallantly maintained their position, and drove
the enemy back quickly from their front, with immense slaughter.
In the meantime, on the left of the work, the thirty-first North
Carolina could not be induced to occupy their position, and inglo-
riously deserted the ramparts, when, no resistance being offered at
this point, the advance of the enemy, pushing forward, entered the
ditch, and ascended the work, at the extreme left salient of the land
face, and occupied it.
I at once directed Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard to keep up a severe
enfilading fire to his left, and directed the field pieces on the left of
the fort, outside of the sally port, to direct their fire to the right, so
as to sweep the ditch and exterior slope of that part of the work thus
occupied, and thus at the same time prevented the enemy from being
.supported at that point, and cut off all hope of his escape.
The main body of the enemy, after a brief attempt to pass over
• the field off fire, retreated under the fire of our artillery and the
shells of Fort Sumter, and must have suffered heavily as long as
they were within the range of our guns.
'Colonel Harris of the engineers, to whose skill I am much in¬
debted, and whose coolness and gallantry were most conspicuous du¬
ring the previous day, placed a howitzer on the right of the fort
^outside the beach, and co-operated with the guns on the left.
Thinking it advisable to dislodge the enemy at once, before they
•had time to communicate their temporary success, I called for volun¬
teers to dislodge them, This call was promptly met by Major McDon-
-ald. of the fifty-first North Carolina infantry, and by Captain Ryan,
Charleston battalion. I selected Captain Ryan's company, and di¬
rected them to chhrge the enemy in the salient.
55
This work they advanced to with great spirit, but unfortunately
Captain Ryan was killed at the moment of the advance, and his men
hesitated, and the opportunity was lost.
Wherever the enemy showed themselves a sharp fire was kept up
upon them by the fifty-first North Carolina, and after considerable
injury thus inflicted, a party of the thirty-second Georgia regiment
having been sent along the parapet to the left and on the top of the
magazine to approach their rear, they surrendered.
In front of the fort, the scene of carnage is indescribable. The
repulse was overwhelming, and the loss of the enemy could not have
been less than two thousand (2,000) in killed, wounded and prisoners,
perhaps much more.
Our loss I estimate at fifty killed, and one hundred and fifty
wounded, but will forward an exact return.,
The assailants consisted of troops from Connecticut, Pennsylvania,
New Hampshire, Ohio and New York, and the fifty-fourth Massachu¬
setts negro regiment, (under Colonel Shaw, who was killed,) under
the command of Brigadier General Strong. The supports were com¬
manded by Brigadier General .
I will hereafter make a supplementary report, and give such details
as may be required.
• As to the damage done to the work and guns, I have the honor to
refer you to the reports of the engineer officer and chief of artillery,
which will be forwarded.
I will remark this, whilst the injury done to the work is consider¬
able, it is much less than could have been expected, and the damage
to the guns, it is hoped, may be repaired in a short time.
In conclusion, whilst I feel it my duty to mention the disgraceful
conduct of the thirty-first North Carolina infantry, I am proud to
bear testimony to the efficiency and gallantry of the other troops.
/ Colonel McKeatchin's regiment, fifty-first North Carolina infantry,
redeemed the reputation of the thirty-first regiment. They gallantly
sought their positions under a heavy shelling, and maintained it du¬
ring the action. Colonel McKeatchin, Lieutenant Colonel Hobson,
O 7 '
and Major McDonald, are the field officers of this regiment, and de¬
serve special mention.
The Charleston battalion distinguished themselves, not only by
their gallantry, but by their discipline, and cool performance of their
duty, and obedience to orders under the excitement and confusion al¬
ways incident to a night attack.
Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard, and the brave Major Ramsay, who, I
regret to say, was severely wmunded, deserve the highest expression
of commendation for their conduct during the bombardment and as¬
sault.
The artillery behaved throughout the day with remarkable courage.
Li eutenant Colonel &imkins had a most severe duty to perform during
the day, in directing the operations of flbe artillery. This, unflinch¬
ingly and admirably he performed, and after the enemy's heavy guns
had ceased, he mounted the parapet and encouraged the infantry.
There, on the ramparts, in the front, this admirable soldier and ao
56
complished gentleman sealed his devotion to our cause by an early
but most heroic death.
Captains Buekner and Dixon, sixty-third Georgia, and Captain
Adams, firs* South Carolina infantry, deserve especial mention ; but I
desire to bring most conspicuously to the notice of the Brigadier
General commanding, the name of Lieutenant Poore, whose coolness,
skill and gallantry were unsurpassed. I regret to say he was se¬
verely wounded.
I would also especially mention Lieutenant Waters, commanding
the field pieces cn the left of the works, who was conspicuous for his.
gallantry, and was severely wounded ; and the skill, coolness and gal¬
lantry of Captain Du Pass, who assumed command of his pieces after
his fall. These pieces rendered most important service.
I have doubtless omitted the names of many officers whose gal¬
lantry should be recorded, and shall, in a subsequent report, endeavor
to do justice to all.
I must, in conclusion, mention the good conduct of sergeant Williams,
of Lieutenant Poore's company, and corporal Conneway, of the
twenty-second Georgia battalion, who greatly distinguished them¬
selves.
To the officers of my personal staff I am under obligations.
I lament to record the death of the gallant Captain Waring, A. A.
D. C., and the wounding of Captain Twiggs, Inspector General, and
Captain Stony, A. D. C., who were stricken down, nobly discharging
their duty.
To Captain Taliaferro, A. A. G., Lieutenants Mazyek and Cun¬
ningham, ordnance officers, and Meade, A. D. C., and to surgeon
Habersham, Major Holcombe and Captain Boote, I tender my thanks
for their aid, etc., during the course of the week. I would especially
mention Captain Barnwell, of the engineers.
In the early part of the week, the commands of Colonel Olmstead,
Lieutenant Colonel Capers, Major Harney, and Major Bosinger, of
Lieutenant Colonel Nelson and Lieutenant Colonel Dantzler, and the
artillery under the admirable management of Lieutenant Colonel
Yates, with such officers as Captains Mathews and Chichester, de¬
serve great credit for their bravery and zeal.
I have the honor to be,
Very, respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO,
Brigadier General.
BRIGADIER GENERAL R. S. RIPLEY'S REPORT OF THE
DEFENCE OF CHARLESTON, FROM THE FIRST TO THE
TWENTIETH OF AUGUST, 1863, INCLUSIVE.
Headquarters 1st Military District, )
Char eston, August 21, 1863. )
Engager General Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff:
' General : I have the honor to report the various operations for the
defen'ce of Charleston against the present attack, from the 1st Au¬
gust, on which day Colonel L. M Keitt, twentieth South Carolina
volunteers, relieved Brigadier General Clingman, in command of Bat¬
tery Wagner.
The work of repair and strengthening Battery Wagner had heen
progressed with until the battery had become quite as strong as it
originally was. The commanding General, having determined to keep
lip and increase the armament, spare carriages and chassis and one
ten-inch gun were transported, on the night of the 30th July, to
Battery Wagner, and arrangements made for getting them in posi¬
tion. This delicate and important work was accomplished under the
direction of Lieutenant Colonel Yates, by Captain Frank Harleston,
first South Carolina artillery, and Mr. A. D. Lacoste, with Captain
Harleston's company, first South Carolina artillery, assisted by heavy
details from the garrison of Battery Wagner. The enemy during the
day was principally employed on his works of attack, but kept up an
occasional fire upon the battery, doing no damage.
In the evening he opened on the light draft steamer Chesterfield,
at Cummins' Point, driving her off, and, for the first time, attempting
to interrupt our communication with Morris Island.
The fifty-fourth Georgia regiment was relieved from Morris Island
by the Charleston battalion. The guns of Batnery Wagner were
generally silent during the day. Fort Sumter and Battery Gregg
opened upon the enemy whenever they were observed at work within
range. Battery Simkins, at Shell Point, kept up a steady fire.
Our works, in process of erection on James Island, progressed
steadily, and the troops in that locality were held in readiness for
such movements as might become necessary, under Brigadier General
Taliaferro.
During the morning of the second, Battery Simkins kept up its fire
on the enemy's works, which did not reply until about two o'clock in
the afternoon, whei\they opened sharply from the land works and one
gunboat, keeping up a fire during most of the afternoon, which was
^replied to by batteries Wagner, Grcgr, Simkins, and Fort Sumpter.
At night the enemy again opened, with mortars and Parrott guns, to¬
wards Cummins' Point, to cut off the communication. No material
damage occurred, and in other portions of this command all was quiet.
The fire from the enemy's batteries was kept up on Battery Wagner
58
quite steadily during the morning of the third, having the effect of
killing one man and wounding two officers and twelve privates, most
of them slightly. Battery Wagner replied but little to the enemy's
fire, the garrison being at work. The carriages for the two ten-inch
guns proved to be so badly fitted as to cause delay in getting them
ready for service. Fort Sumter and the exterior batteries kept up a
fire on the enemy's advanced works. At night the twentieth South
Carolina volunteers and detachments of the hfty-first North Carolina
regiments, were relieved by the twenty-first South Carolina volun¬
teers. As the communication by means of steamers was quite dan¬
gerous, the exchange was effected by means of small boats, manned
by crews from the navy. These performed their duty well, and my.
thanks are due to Flag Officer J. R. Tucker, C. S. N., and the officers
and men of his command, for the valuable assistance rendered.
The fourth passed very quietly on Morris Island, there being very
little firing on either side. Only the usual duties occurred in other
parts of the command.
On the fifth, the two ten-inch guns and other armament of Battery
Wagner were in readiness for action. The enemy showing but little
disposition to engage with his iron-clads, the ten-inch guns were kept
masked until such time as he should come to close action. On land
he was busy putting down mortar platforms. His fire was principally
from Coehorn mortars at our sharpshooters from the twentieth South
Carolina volunteers and the Charleston battalion, who, armed with
Whitworth rifles, caused him serious annoyance.
During the night, the eighth North Carolina relieved the nineteenth
Georgia, and a detachment of the twentieth South Carolina volun¬
teers, Captains Chichester's and Mathews' companies of artillery, re¬
lieved Captains Miles' and Hunter's. The different detachments of
artillery from light batteries and siege train were also changed. This
work was accomplished, as before, under the'diroction of Major Motte,
A. Pringle, quartermaster, with the assistance of the navy.
The enemy having established an annoying picket guard at an un¬
finished battery at the mouth of Vincent's creek, he was attacked, at
about nine o'clock, by a party from the navy and from the twenty-
fifth South Carolina volunteers, under Lieutenant commanding
Warley of the Confederate States steamer-. Chicora, Captain Sellers
commanding the land forces. The party proceeded in four boats,
guided by Mr. J. Fraser Mathews, to the northern entrance of Light¬
house creek, where Captain Sellers landed and proceeded against the
enemy's picket. Lieutenant Warley, with two boats, went round to
the mouth of Vincent's creek to cut off the enemy's barges. A
bVisk skirmish ensued, which resulted in the capture of one boat,
with one captain and ten non-commissioned officers and privates of
the enemy, of which the captain and four non-commissioned officers
and privates were wounded, one mortally. The remainder of the
enemy's party were driven off in another boat under a heavy fire,
which undoubtedly caused them some damage. On our side, one
private of the twenty-fifth South Carolina volunteers was killed.
Brigadier General Hagood relieved Colonel Keitt in the command
5»
of our forces on Morris Island on the 6th, Lieutenant Colonel J.
Welsman Brown relieving Major War ley in command of the artil¬
lery. The sixty-first North Carolina regiment.relieved the Charleston
battalion during the night. The operations of the enemy were very
quietly conducted. Throughout the command the work of prepara¬
tion went on, Fort Sumter and Battery Simkins firing occasionally,
during the day, whenever the enemy's parties were working within
range.
A thirty-two-pounder, rifled, was transported to and mounted on
Battery Wagner during the night of the 6th, and the works on both
side3 progressed without interruption throughout the 7th, except from
sharpshooters, of whom ours from Battery Wagner annoyed the
enemy to a considerable extent. At night, being attracted by the
communication of a steamer with Cummin's Point, the enemy sent up
a rocket from the fleet opposite Battery Wagner, when his land bat¬
teries opened heavily on the supposed locality of the steamer, and
kept up the fire until near daylight. It was replied to by Fort Sum¬
ter and Battery Simkins. No damage was done to the steamer.
On the 8th a working party of the enemy was discovered 'to the
east of Black Island, either building a bridge or battery. It was
opened upon from Battery Haskell, and the work ceased for the time.
During the day the firing at intervals from Sumter, Gregg and Sim¬
kins was kept up, but the enemy remained comparatively, quiet until
evening, when he opened with mortars and Parrott guns, principally
on Battery Wagner, keeping up the cannonade until near five o'clock
on the morning of the 9th.
On the 9th operations were continued, the enemy being greatly
annoyed by our sharpshooters, and occasionally opening fire with
great spirit and rapidity, to endeavor to dislodge them. At about
five o'clock in the afternoon the enemy's land batteries opened, shell¬
ing briskly from their mortars towards Battery Wagner and the
landing at Cummin's Point.
During the night of the 9th the eighth North Carolina regiment
was relieved by Colonel Olmstead's command of Georgia troops, and
the detachment of couriers from the fifth South Carolina cavalry by
others of the same regiment.
On the 10th the enemy were very busily at work, and although
Fort Sumter and Battery Simkins kept up a steady fire, they caused
him but little interruption, and he succeeded in approaching about
one hundred yards in advance of his former position of attack.
During the day he kept quiet, except firing from his sharpshooters,
which was replied to with spirit and effect by ours, until, at about
five o'clock in the afternoon, his land batteries, of both mortar and
Parrott guns, opened briskly. No great damage was effected beyond
knocking off the wheel of a carronade, which was soon replaced.
Colonel Harrison, of the fifty-fourth Georgia regiment, relieved
Brigadier General Hagood in command of our troops on Morris
Island, but the fire of the enemy interfered seriously with the relief
of the troops on Morris Island, he having erected a large Drummond
light in a position to brightly illuminate the landing. The steamers
6(1
engaged in the transfer were withdrawn and the relief discontinued
for the right.
Colonel Olmstead relieved Colonel Graham in the command of Fort
Johnson, which was made a depot tor the troops relieving the garri¬
son of Morris Island. Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Yates was assigned,
to the command of the artillery at Batteries Simkins and Cheves, and'
at Fort Johnson.
At about seven o'clock on the morning of the 11th, the enemy's
land batteries and monitors opened heavily on Battery Wagner, but
the monitors soon withdrew. The fire from the land batteries was,
however," kept up with more or less spirit during the day, and replied
to by Fort Sumter, Batteries Simkins and Gregg. The damage to
our works was slight.
During the night of the 11th the relief of the garrison by fresh
troops was accomplished, with the assistance of the boats of the1
navy. So soon as it had been finished, Colonel Harrison opened fire
upon the enemy's working parties nearest Battery Wagner, inter¬
fering with and putting a stop for the time to their progress.
Fort Sumter and Battery Simkins also kept up a steady fire on the
approaches The enemy replied from his land batteries, Parrotts and
mortars, doing some damage to the bomb-proofs, but without inflict¬
ing any casualty on our side.
On the morning of the 12th, the enemy opened with two hundred
pound Parrott shot and shell upon Fort Sumter from his batteries
near the foot of Craig's hill, on Morris Island, a distance of about
five thousand yards. Wherever the shot struck light masonry it did
serious damage. The heavy masonry of concrete and the revetments
of sand were not materially damaged The fort was struck seventeen
times. The transport steamer Hibben, lying at th> wharf of Fort-,
Sumter, was shot through her boiler, scalding and injuring nine
negro hands oh board. , »
The enemy was observed from Battery Wagner building a work at
their extreme left. Colonel Rhett, commanding Fort Sumter, Cap¬
tain Mitchell, commanding Battery Simkins, and Captain Lesesne,
commanding Battery Gregg, directed their fire upon his parties,
which were dispersed and the work stopped.
At dark Battery Wagner opened on the enemy's works immediately
in its front with eight guns and kept a steady fire, at intervals,
throughout the night. Sumter and 'Simkins also kept up a steady
fire, and no progress in advance was made by the enemy. His rear¬
most batteries, however, were in progress, and a continual reply was
kept to the fire of Battery Wagner, with shots at Battery Gregg to-
interrupt communication.
The effect was to kill one and wound four of the garrison at Bate
tery Wagner, and I regret to add that of the latter Captain J. 0.
Gary, of Lucas' battalion of artillery, a gallant and accomplished
y aung officer of high promise, was mortally injured. He has since
died.
On the 13th the enemy several times undertook to repair the
damage to their advance, but were repulsed by a fire skilfully directed
.01
against them from Battery Wagner. Finding that it was difficult t<?
proceed with his approaches, he fell back to his rear batteries, and
with his naval force opened fire on Battery Wagner vand Battery
Gregg. Fort" Sumter and Battery Simkins replied, and the sharp¬
shooters at Battery Wagner kept those of the enemy quiet during
the day.
One man was mortally wounded at Battery Gregg. During the
afternoon, the heavy Parrott guns of the enemy opened on Fort
Sumter, cf which several struck the gorge wall and the reinforce to
the western magazine, injuring the brick work to a considerable
extent, but not sufficiently to cause any serious apprehension of a
•speedy penetration of the defences on that side. One falling in the
interior of the work injured temporarily a mortar platfo.rm.
The twelfth Georgia battalion was relieved from Morris Island
during the night, bringing the garrison to about the strength pf
eleven hundred, as ordered by the commanding General.
During the 14th the enemy remained remarkably quiet, firing only
occasionally, replied to by our batteries. At night Fort Sumter was
struck five times by land batteries, and once from a gunboat, with
slight damage. Battery Wagner opened fire, first at intervals, to
which the enemy replied with all the guns he could bring to bear.
Our guns were allowed to remain quiet for a time, to permit him to
bring up his working parties, when they were re-opened with vigor,
putting a stop to his operations, and, from the report of our
advanced pickets, it is believed that serious loss was inflicted upon
him. His operations against other points consisted only in occasional
shots, which were replied to from our batteries.
On the loth the enemy fired occasionally at, Battery Wagner, and
was at work principally on his long range batteries at the southern
part of Morris Island. A few shots were directed at Fort Sumter
*'during the evening. Colonel L. M. Keitt, cf the twentieth South
Carolina regiment, relieved Colonel Harrison in command of the
troops on Morris Island. The twentieth South Carolina volunteers
• felieved the fifty-first North Carolina at Battery Wagner. A brisk
artillery action was kept up between our batteries on Morris Island
and those of the enemy, and one of the monitors threw several shells
at the transport steamer Sumter. Battery ^imkins and Fort Sumter
kept up a fire upon the enemy's approaches.
During the night of the 15th the enemy kept up a vigorous fire,
•both vertical and direct, on Battery Wagner and Battery Gregg,
until about half-past four o'clock on the 16th, when it ceased. It
■ Was replied to by Sumter, Gregg and Simkins at intervals. From
Battery Wagner the fire was continuous and slow until about two
o'clock in the morning, when a general discharge took place along
the whole front, causing interruption to the advancing work of the
enemy. The enemy's batteries were universally quiet daring the
16th, so far as Wagner and Gregg were concerned; but during the
afternoon he opened on Fort Sumter, apparently to get the range,
firing forty-eight shots, of which four passed over, four or five fell
short, ten struck inside, and the remainder outside -of the fort. When-
62
ever the shot struck the lighter brick work it did considerable damage,
and disabled a twenty-four pounder in the gorge by loosening the
pintle through the masonry. During the night the twenty-first South
Carolina volunteers relieved Colonel Olmstead's command on Morris
Island. The artillery commands and couriers were also relieved by
detachments from their respective regiments and battalions, and
about twelve o'clock Battery Wagner opened on the enemy, keeping
up a continuous'fire during the night. Fort Sumter and Battery
Simkins also kept up their practice.
On the morning of the 17th the enemy opened with three two
hundred-pounder Parrott guns and one one hundred-pounder on
Fort Sumter, at distances varying from two and a quarter to three
miles. This fire was kept up, with but little intermission, through¬
out the morning. At twenty-five minutes past nine the Ironsides
and six monitors came into action against Fort Sumter, Batteries
Wagner and Gregg, directing their shots principally at Sumter. At
a quarter before eleven they came within about; three thousand yards
of Fort Sumter, when Colonel Rhett opened his batteries. Colonel
Butler, from Fort Moultrie, had opened a few guns, but, a large force
of negroes being at work on his front, he was directed to discontinue
his fire. The Ironsides and the monitors were struck repeatedly, and
at ten minutes before one o'clock the rapid firing ceased, the fleet
withdrawing from the contest. One of the monitors, during the
action, left the squadron and steamed rapidly down the channel to
the wooden fleet of the enemy, and soon after all their flags were
observed to be flying at half-mast. Six hundred and twelve shots and
shell had been fired at Fort Sumter, of which most struck. The
casualties in the fort were one man killed; Lieutenant John Middle-
ton, Lieutenant Julius Rhett, Lieutenant Johnston, engineer, and
ten privates slightly wounded. The fort was seriously injured on the
northwest face; one nine-inch Dahlgren gun, three# forty-two-*
pounders and one eight-inch columbiad disabled. During the
afternoon the land batteries re-opened their fire heavily upon the
fort, cutting deeply into the gorge wall and adding much to the dam¬
age of the northwestern face, and disabling a ten-inch columbiad.
By night the enemy had thrown nine hundred and forty-eight shot,
of which four hundred and forty-five struck outside; two hundred
and seventy'passed over. Battery Wagner, which received its full
share of the enemy's fire, was but little damaged; but sustained a
serious loss in the death of Captain Wampler, of the engineers,
a gallant and accomplished officer, who was killed by a shell from the
enemy's fleet while faithfully performing his arduous duties. Bat¬
tery Cheves was opened on the morning of the 17th, at nine o'clock,
with four eightrinch columbiadsi.and four eight-inch navy guns on
ship carriages. The fire was kept up- throughout the day with the
columbiads at the enemy's works on- Morris Island and working
parties in the marsh, having the effect of annoying the former and
dispersing the latter. The four eight-inch navy carriages were found
to be inadequate to stand the elevation and range, and dismounted
their guns after about an hour. They were directed to be re-mounted
63
on columbiad carriages and repaired for service as speedily'as possi¬
ble. Battery Haskell also opened on the enemy's working parties
between Morris and Black Islands.
During the night of the 17th, the enemy remained comparatively
quiet. The troop's on Morris Island were re supplied, and a large quan¬
tity of ammunition and stores were removed from Fort Sumter to
Sullivan's Island.
Early on the morning of the 18th, the Ironsides, two monitors and
the enemy's land batteries opened upon Fort Sumter and Battery
Wagner. The battery and forts replied slowly. Batteries Simkins
and Cheves also opened upon the enemy, annoying them to a consid¬
erable extent, but on account of the miserable quality of our fuzes,
only by the striking of the shells, hut few burst.
Before two o'clock, the Ironsides and monitors retired, the land
batteries alone keepiug up the cannonade, with the effect of causing
the wall on the northwest face of Sumter to project and cutting well
away into the gorge. During the afternoon the Ironsides and five
monitors took up position in line, and with the land batteries kept up
heavy fire, taking the northwest face in reverse, disabling the remain¬
ing gunp, and two ten-inch columbiads on the northeast face, two guns
on ,the west face remaining were also disabled, besides the seven-inch
Brooke gun in the southwest angle.
The enemy ceased bis fire about seven o'clock, P. M., having thrown
eight hundred and seventy-six shot and shell, of which four hundred
and fifty-two struck outside, two hundred and forty-four inside, and
one hundred and eighty went over. One man was seriously, and two
slightly wounded.
At Battery AVagner a rifled gun and ten-inch columbiad were dis¬
abled, but the damage to the works otherwise was not serious. One
monitor of the enemy was observed undergoing repairs during the
night.
The enemy's land batteries commenced firing at half past four
o'clock, in the morning, principally on Fort Sumter, hut firing from
mortars and small guns on Battery AVagner.
By ten o'clock the cannonade on Sumter had become more serious
than hitherto, damaging the walls seriously, killing one and wounding
four. All the gorge guns had been rendered useless, and the fi^st
shot passed through the gorge walls, just under the crown of an arch
west of the main gateway. The fire continued steadily during the
afternoon, with its usual effect. The western quarters of Fort Sumter
having been demolished, the walls were torn down by the garrison.
One ten-inch mortar mounted in the parade of Fort Sumter was dis¬
mounted in the afternoon.
The width of twenty feet of the gorge wall fell during the night,
leaving the protection on that side through the upper arches only the
sand and cotton with which the casemates were filled. The damage
to other parts of the fort was in proportion. One man had been killed
and four wounded at Fort Sumter. The fort received seven hundred
and eighty shots, four hundred and eight outside, two hundred and
forty-one inside, and one hundred and thirty-one over.
bi
The enemy's fleet made a demonstration of attacking during the
afternoon, but having received a few shots, retired.
At Battery Wagner, his approaches were kept up, but being checked
by the riflemen and artillery, his progress was slow. During the
night, the Charleston battalion relieved the first Georgia battalion, and
a company of the second South Carolina artillery relieved Captain
Miles' company (acting artillery) at Battery Wagner. The garrison
Was otherwise supplied and provisioned. An additional supply of
ammunition was transported from Sumter to Sullivan's Island.
Batteries Cheves and Simkins had kept up their fire during the
day and night of the 13th, receiving an occasional shot frcm the
enemy.
On the 20th, the enemy reooencd his fire heavily, principally
against Fort Sumter, doing, as might be expected, more damage than
before. It was steadily kept up throughout the day, and at night Col,
Rhett reported it as the heaviest whieh had taken place.. Eight hun¬
dred and seventy-nine shots were fired, of which four hundred and
eight struck outside, two hundred and ninety-six inside, one hundred
and seventy-five passed over. The greater portion of the gorge
Wall had fallen in, but the sand and cotton in the rooms had been
revetted by the debris, and protection to a certain extent was still af¬
forded. The northwest face was clearly breached by the seve:e fire,
and a casemate knocked through. One rifled forty-two pounder on
the east, and one on the northeast face, were disabled. Captains
Gaillard and Fleming, and one private were slightly wounded.
The enemy being observed advancing by sap on Battery Wagner,
Colonel Keitt opened his batteries upon them, and with his sharshoot-
ers succeeded in checking their progress. The Ironsides 'and moni¬
tors moved up to close proximity of the fort, and opened a heavy
enfilading and direct fire, which caused him to close his embrasures.
The damage to Battery Wagner was no greater than usual upon that
battery.
Batteries Simkins, Cheves and Haskell, were in operation upon
the enemy's flank during the 20th. Lieutenant Colonel Yates reports
the practice as having been much improved, and that he had reason
to believe that two ammunition chests had been blown up in the enemy's
trenches, and one gun dismounted. Also, that in the afternoon the
fire of the enemy had become somewhat wild from the effect of rapid
firing on his pieces at long range.
The report given above, contains the principal active operations of
the defence and attack, up to the evening of the 20th. During the time
included in it, our works of preparation on the interior lines have stea¬
dily progressed. The batteries and shelters on Sullivan's Island have
advanced to completion, and the heavy guns and mortars, which have
been received and secured from Fort Sumter, have been placed in po¬
sition, manned and provided with ammunition as far as possible. A
strong front has been made to command the channel, should the en¬
emy succeed in overpowering the brave defenders of Batteries Wag¬
ner, Gregg, and Fort Sumter. Preparations have been made for
65
placing h6avy batteries along the shores of Ashley river, from Fort
Johnson, west, t» command the inner harbor and channels. All bat¬
teries which would bear upon the enemy have been serve I with as
much vigor as circumstances would permit, and his attack confined to
as narrow limits as possible
During this twenty days progress of the siege, the conduct of the
troops and their commanders have been admirable. '
Biigadier General Hagood and Colonels Keitt and Harrison, who
have commanded the advanced posts on Morris Island, during the pe¬
riod of this report, .have shown the qualities of constancy, bravery
a id-skill, in the performance of their trying and arduous duties.
Tue various officers attached to the staff of these commanders have
performed their duties well, and I beg heartily to concur in the re¬
ports of their chiefs, heretofore transmitted to department headquar¬
ters.
Amongst those who deserve especial mention for their conduct in the
defence of the posts on Morris Island, are Lieutenant Colonels Gail-
lard, Charleston battalion ; Dantzler, twentieth South Carolina volun
teers; and Dargan, twenty-first South Carolina volunteers; Lieuten¬
ant Colonel J Welshman Brown and Major Warley, second South
Carolina volunteer artillery ; and Captain Chichester, artillery ; the
latter has served several times with distinction.
Captain Hill, ordnance officer attached to these headqu »rters, having
been sent to Battery v agner, remained during a very prolonged tour
of duty, which was perfoimed in such manner as to elicit the warmest
approval of the different commanders.
Major Henry Bryan and Captain Maloney, of the Adjutant Gene¬
ral's department, are deservedly commended by Colonel Keitt and
Brigadier General Hagood
Majors Holcombe and Sage, commissaries, and Captains Guerard
anil Woodward, quartermasters, have performed their duties with
their inefficient means, in such manner as to ensure the supply of the
positions of which they had charge.
The garrison of Fort Sumter, under Colonel Alfred'Rhett and Major
Qrrasby Blanking, hive stood to the defence of their castle with ua>-
. tiring fortitude and bravery. From the nature of the structure, and
jheeneun's projectiles, the exposure during the periods when sub¬
jected to fire, has been great, and extremely annoying, and yet; every
duty of repair and details has been carried on without interruption
or undue delay. I refer generally to Colonel Rhett's reports for the
mention of those subordinate officers who have distinguished them¬
selves by good conduct. But in this connection, I would mention the
Services of Lieut. John Johnson, of the engineer corps, at Fort Sum¬
ter, before and during the si< ge, as evincing high talent and charac¬
ter in his profession, as well as bravery and constancy.
Captains Parleson and Fleming deserve an especial mention for
their continued and zealous services.
The staff officers attached to district headquarters have been con¬
stantly employed. Captain W. F. Nance, principal A. A. G., who ha®
5
66
earned honorable mention on every occasion, under my command, and
several times been recommended for promotion, has performed every
duty to my satisfaction.
Major J. M. Middleton and Captain Ephraim Seabrock, volunteer
A. D. C.", Captain C. C. Pincknev, district ordnance officer, and Ma¬
jor Suber, district quartermaster, have been actively and usefully em¬
ployed. ^
Major Motte A. Pringle, post quartermaster, and especially in
charge of transportation, has been indefatigable night and day, with
the small means at his disposal, and which he could obtain, in forward¬
ing stores and supplies, and relieving troops during the whole period.
In this duty he has been assisted greatly by the boats and crews of
the Confederate navy, under charge of Lieutenants Ward, Haskell
and Payne.
I shall continue this report from this date. I have the honor to en¬
close a report of casualties during the period treated of. I also send
the reports of Lieutenant John Johnson, engineer, in charge of Fort
Sumter, and a list of prisoners caprured.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding.
JREPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL R. S. RIPLEY OF
OPERATIONS FROM THE . 21ST TO THE 3lST OF
JULY, INCLUSIVE.
Hsadquarters First Military District, )
Charleston, Aug. 1st, 18ti3. >
Brigadier General Thomas Jordan,
C/wf of Staff :
General : Since my report of the 22d, detailing.the operations im
this command up to t?he 20th, inclusive, the plan of the enemy, as I
then stated, seems to have been changed. There has been no attempt
at a further assault upon our works on Morris Island. From the 21st
to the 21th there has been occasional firing, both from the enemy's-
fleet and land batteries; but his time has been chiefly occupied in the
erection and completion of three new batteries on that portion of the
island in his possession, thus advancing his lines as far as could be
done with safety.
On the 21st the enemy sent in, by flag of truce, a communication
from General Gilrnore, with a request that the officer commanding
Battery Wagner would give to General Vogdcs, who accompanied it,
a personal interview. While Captain Tracy, the staff officer of Gen¬
eral Hagood, then in command, was bearing the message brought by
the flag, both the fleet and the land batteries re-opened their fire, and
General Hagood very properly refused to receive any communication,,
nntil an apology had been made for this violation ©f the flag. A sat¬
isfactory explanation having been offered and accepted, an interview
was had between General Hagood and General Vogdes, which termi¬
nated in an arrangement to exchange the wounded prisoners on both
sides, and ten o'clock on the following Friday appointed as the hour,
when the transports from each party should effect the exchange at the
point from which the fleet have usually conducted the attack upon,
Battery Wagner.
On the morning of the 25th, the day upon which the exchange was
to be effected, the enemy opened fire about day-light both from the-
fleet and land batteries. This fire was vigorously sustained until the
the arrival, about ten o'clock, of the flag of truce boat, conveying
the prisoners, and for a portion of that time was equal in intensity to
the bombardment of the 18th. Upon the arrival of the boat in the
neighborhood of the place appointed, the firing ceased, and the
exchange was regularly effected, we delivering one hundred and five
and receiving thirty-nine wounded prisoners. No reference having
been made in the agreement to the negro prisoners of the fifty fourth
Massachusetts regiment, none of them were included in the exchange,
a report of which by Colonel Anderson and Major Middleton, the
officers appointed to conduct it, has already been furnished. The fire
of the enemy on this morning, especially from one of the more
68
advanced land batteries, armed with Parrott gnns, did serious damage
to Battery Wagner The remaining ten-inch columbiad was dis¬
mounted from the sea-face of the battery, and the magazines so much
exposed that it became necessary to remove the ammunition ; and
General Taliaferro, who had previously relieved General Hagood in
the command, anticipating a renewal of the bombardment upon the
completion of the exchange of prisoners, requested, as a matter of
prudent precaution, that all necessary arrangements should be made
for the transfer of the troops from the island in case of necessity.
The exchange of prisoners was completed about two o'clock, when
the flag of truce boat returned. The enemy,-however, did not renew
his attack, and the time thus allowed was improve i to the utmost, in
repairing the damage which had been done The condition of the-
battery, as reported by General Taliaferro, was submitted to the Gen¬
eral commanding, and after full deliberation it -was determined to
hold it, and instructions sent to General Taliaferro not to abandon the
works without express orders to that effect. From that date to the
present the bombardment has never been renewed, although there has
been occasional and brief firing upon the battery from the iron-cladg.
In the meantime the battery has been thoroughly repaired and placed
in a condition even superior to what it was in the beginning. The
enemy, meanwhile, are busily at work in improving their present
works and erecting new ones, of which our means of observation do
not enable me to give a detailed account. On our side new batteries
have been erected, and the Avork of completing them, and mounting
the necessary armament actively pressed, and every effort made
to annoy the enemy by such 'batteries as bear upon their working
parties and lines, an attempt in which, I have reason to think, we
have been to a considerable extent successful. The condition of the
new batteries is known to the commanding General, and will be men¬
tioned in the succeeding report.
The garrisons of Batteries Wagner and Gregg have been relieved
as regularly as possible with our means of transportation. On the
22d, Brigadier General Taliaferro relieved Brigadier General Hagood.
cOn the 26th, Brigadier General Colquitt relieved Brigadier General
"Taliaferro Brigadier General Colquitt was relieved on the 28th by
^Brigadier General Clingman, and the latter officer was relieved on the,
1st of August by Colonel L. M. Keitt. The fire from the land bat¬
teries of the enemy upon Batteries Wagner and Gregg has been
annoying, especially upon our communication by steamer between Fort
Sumter and Cummins' Point.
The casualties which have occurred from the 20th to the 31st of
July, inclusive, have been thirteen killed and forty-nine wounded. I
have the honor to enclose the returns and lists.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R.S.RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding^
^■-r ■■ mill
69
Headq'rs Department S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida, )
Charleston, S. C., August 7, 1863. >
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the War Department.
In view of the possibility that Batteries Wagner and Gregg, which
are only outworks, mounting respectively twelve and three guns,
might tall under the concentrated fire of the enemy's "numerous end
,powerful land and naval batteries, I determined, immediately after
the fall of the sourh end of Morris Island into the possession of the
enemy, to establish a circle of batteries from Legare's Point, on
Schooner creek, James Island, to Battery Beauregard, on Sullivan's
•Island, so as to concentrate their fire (including Forts Sumter and
Moultrie) on Morris Island, from about half its length to Cummin's
Point, and render that portion of the island untenable to the enemy,
should he succeed in driving us away from it. That defensive system
is now being carried out to the extent of our available means in labor
and heavy ordnance. Many of the long range guns in Sumter, not
absolutely required for its defence, have been removed to arm the
new batteries under construction. The remaining guns are being
protected with traverses, merlons and embrasures. The officers'
quarters on the gorge of the fort (south face) have been filled up
with wet cotton bags and sand, an i a "chemise "of san 1 bags is
being added to the scarp wall of the same face, to extend, if practi¬
cable, from bottom to top. The defective lines on James Island are
also to be shortened by the construction of a new line of redans and
redoubts from Secessionville to the Storio river, long since contem¬
plated* but not executed for want of labor.
Herewith are papers, marked A, B, C, D, F, connected with
the defence of "Morris Island during the present attack.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Headq'rs Department of S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida, )
Charleston, July 15, lab3. (
It is reported Gilmore will open fire in the morning and attempt an
assault afterwards. Will be assisted by fleet. Be on watch and
prepared. . THOMAS JORDAN.
Chhf «f Sk ff.
Official:
H. H. Rogers, A. D. C.
Send the above dispatch ,to Colonel Rhett, Fort Sumter, and Brig¬
adier General Taliaferro, Morris Island.
H. H. ROGERS, A. D. C
70
Headquarters First Military District, 1
Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, >
Charleston, S. C., July 19, 1863. ;
Do fhe be«t that you can to get fresh troops on the island. Enemy
pos ibl/ so punished that he may give no annoyance early to-morrow.
Make the best, at least.
THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of Staff.
To General Ripley,
Commanding Fort Sumter
Charleston, S. 0., July 19, 1863—1, A. M.
To Brigadier General R. S. Ripley, Fort Sumter:
Morris Island must be held at all cost, for present. The command¬
ing General diiects Keitt's regiment to bo thrown there, to push any
advantage before daylight; also, nearest other regiment or battalion—
Graham's or Nelson's, as most expeditiously moved. Cannot navy
help with transportation ?
THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of Staff.
Charleston, S. C. July 19, 1863—1 1-2, A. M.
To Brigadier General R. S. Ripley, Fort Sumter :
I advise you (without seeing General Beauregard) to embark Keitt*s
regiment at once and throw it on Morris Island. I will see him.
THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of Staff.
Charleston, July 19, 1863—2, P. M.
-Brigadier General W. B. Taliaferro, Morris Island:
Detailed telegram of events at Battery Wagner wanted from Gen¬
eral Taliaferro. Reinforcements on way to push: advantage, if
possible.
THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of Staff.
71
Charleston, July 19, 1863.
Brigadier General R. S. Ripley, Fort Sumter:
What has Harrison's regiment effected ? Troops thrown on Morris
Island at once might strike an effective blow. Detailed report from
Battery Wagner wanted up to latest moment.
THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.
Headers Department of S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida, )
Charleston, S. .C., July 24, 1863. )
Lieutenant Colonel D. B. Harris,
Chief Engineer, Morris Island :
Colonel: Examine condition for resistance of Battery Wagner
and report in person, as soon as possible. Explain to General Talia¬
ferro that he must fight the fleet 'with sand; that the battery
originally was only meant to defend against land approach. The
battery must be held as long as possible—even twenty-four hours are
important.
Respectfully, &c.,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General commanding.
' Headq'rs Department of S. Carolina, Georgia and Florida, >
Charleston, S. C., July 24, 1863. J
To Brigadier General W. B. Taliaferro, Morris Island:
\
General : The batteries designed to render Batteries Wagner and
Gregg untenable by the enemy, if reduced, not being completed, it
has become exigent that those last batteries should be held to the last
extremity. Wagner, being under guns of Sumter and Gregg, should
be held by infantry and siege guns alone, until its parapets and bomb-
proofs are destroyed and no longer afford shelter against artillery.
The General regards it almost improbable that another assault will
be attempted. Furthermore, the evacuation of Wagner does not
necessarily involve immediate abandonment of Gregg, which, with
reduced garrison and sharpshooters filling the sand hills between it
and Wagner, may be held for several days longer. When obliged to
quit either work, the guns must be thoroughly disabled by spiking,
knocking off trunnions, cutting and burning carriages and bomb-
proofs, and by blowing up the magazines and parapets. In view of
the great improbability of an assault, may it not be well to reduce the
garrison minimum to morrow morning, just about two o'clock.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff.
EEPORT OF THE EVACUATION OF MORRIS ISLAND,
WITH ENDORSED REMARKS OF THE COMMANDING
GENERAL.
Charleston, September 7, 1863.
Captain William F. Nance, A. A. G
First Military District, Dept. S. C., Ga. and Fla. :
-Captain; I have the honor to make the following report of the
evacuation of Morris Island, including Batteries Wagner and Gregg,
by the troops under my command, on the night of the 6th instant.
This step was authorized by a dispatch sent by signals from district
headquarters, and received by me between four and five, P. M., and
directed in-detail, by a special order from department headquarters,
.which was received from Captain McCabe, of General Ripley's staff,
■»t dark, and was necessitated from the untenable condition of Battery
Wagner, the greatly exhausted condition of the garrison, and constant
artillery and sharpshooting .fire of the enemy, which prevented re¬
pairs.
The gradual approaches of the enemy had passed the front of the
battery, and the termination of their sap was not over fifty yards
from the parapets of the sea face, enabling them to throw a mass of
troops upon this flank, when our men were mostly in the bombproofs,
where I was forced to keep them by the unceasing fire of mortar and
rifle guns on laud, with an enfilading fire from the fleet, during most
cf the day. The salient on the left of the battery, had been swept$
by such a terrible cro-s lire as to breach the parapet and throw it into
irregular shapes, rendering the ascent from the moat easy, and more¬
over men could not be kept there during the crossfire, without the
certainty of most of them being wounded or stunned. This salient ia
the part of the work gained by the enemy, in the assault of the 18th
of July.?
As soon as the evacuation was authorized, I gave detailed instruc¬
tions to the regimental commanders, viz : Lieutenant Colonel John
G. Prcssly, commanding twenty-fifth South Carolina volunteers;
Major James Gardner, commanding twenty-seventh Georgia volun¬
teers; Captain W. P. Crawford, commanding twenth-eighth Georgia
volunteers, for the gradual movement of their men to Cummins' Point,
so as to keep up an effective front to the enemy, and ensure silence
and promptness. They expressed their hearty approval, believing an
evacuation necessary, to prevent a useless sacrifice of men. The men
went down as if for special duty, and though the most intelligent
knew the fact, nearly all wrent off as if going to be relieved.
Captain Huguenin, chief of artillery, was promptly notified of the
stejLS to be taken, and made his arrangements with my sanction, for
the removal of the artillery, and the written orders when received,
were submitted to him for his guidance. He was entrusted with the
73
delicate duty of briging up the extreme rear, and firing the only
magazine which contained powder—Lieutenant Mazyck, ordnance
officer, being ordered to assist him. His report, with Lieutenant
Mazyck's, is enclosed, marked A, and is referred to as an important
portion of this report.
At dark I sent to Captain H. R. Lesesne, who was commanding
Battery Gregg, an order to prepare to blow up his magazine, and ren¬
der his guns unserviceable, directing him to confer with Captain F.
D. Lee, of the engineers, who had read the orders. I had no copy of
the detailed order, which cSme late, to give him, which was thus not
communicated to him. I refer you to his report marked B, for par¬
ticulars.
To anticipate the possibility of a pursuit by the enemy while re¬
treating from Wagher, I ordered Lieutenant Robert M. Stiles, chief
engineer at Battery Gregg, to construct a rifle-pit across the Island,
at a narrow point, about a quarter of a mile in advance of Battery
Gregg, this was accomplished by him after dark, while under mortar
fire, with a force of seventy-seven negroes in charge. He also cut
away most of the earth-covering of the magazine on the side towards
our James Island batteries, then sent his negroes off to Fort Johnson,
using a large flat left at Cummins' Point for -tljat purpose.
Owing to the necessity of protecting the already reduced garrison,
I had, early on the morning of the 6th instant, made the following
disposition of my "troops: The twenty-seventh Georgia regiment;,
effective total one hundred and seventy-five men, commanded by Major
Gardner, a gallant and intelligent officer, were in the sand hills, well
protected in pits dug there, the hillocks being natural traverses Fifty
men of the twenty-eighth Georgia, under Captain Adams, who had
picketed the beach during the night, were also there ; the remainder
of the regiment, numbering one hundred and thirty effectives, were
assigned to the extreme right of Battery Wagner; about forty-five
kept out on the lines and the remainder in the bomb-proof. The
twenty-fifth South Carolina (Eutaw) regiment, which had been terribly
redftced by casualties and sickness, during the day and night preceding,
to an effective total of about threehundred and sixty-five men. manned
the left and centre of the battery, keeping only a guard of each com¬
pany on its respective position of the lines, the remainder in the
bomb-procf Two companies of this regiment were sent to the sand
hills for protection and to make room in the bomb-proof, where several
men had fainted on the 5th, from excessive heat and foul air. Major
Gardner was ordered to cover the retreat with the twenty-seventh
Georgia, in case of pursuit by the enemy ; in the meantime to picket
the beach at dark, and hold his reserve in readiness to support Battery
Wagner. #
At early dark I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Pressly. commanding
twenty-filth South Carolina,.a very intelligent and reliable officer, to
detail four companies (about one hundred men) to take a field piece
from the left curtain to Cummins' Point, and embark on the first boat.'
Half an hour after, Captain Crawford, commanding twenty seventh
Georgia volunteers, was ordered to move a howitzer from the right of
74,
Wagner, to the rifle-pit near Gregg, place the piece in position there,
collect his regiment from line of battle in rifle-pits, and when notified
that transportation was ready to send a company at a time to embark.
Major Gardner was ordered to man the rifle-pits when Captain Craw¬
ford had left. Lieutenant Colonel Pressly was ordered to extend his
lines and cover the line manned by the twenty-eighth Georgia, as soon
as that regiment started, which was promptly done by him.
I will here remark, that all this night, as on the previous night,
the enemy threw a strong calcium light on the front of Battery Wag¬
ner. About nine o'clock, P. M., being informed that transportation
was ready, the embarkation commenced, and went on briskly and quietly
until all had been embarked except the rear guard, which was com¬
manded by Captain T. A. Huguenin, numbering thirty-five men,
twenty-five men of the first South Carolina infantry, company A, ten
men of the twenty-fifth South Carolina volunteers, under command of
Lieutenants Brown and Taft.
At about eleven o'clock, P. M., I turned over the command of Bat¬
tery Wagner to Captain Huguenin, and ordering my adjutant general,
Major H. Bryan, (a member of General Beauregard's staff,) who had
volunteered for special duty on Morris Island, to accompany me, I
proceeded towards Ccummins' Point. At the rifle-pits I received in¬
formation that more transportation was ready,and I immediately ordered
Major Gardner to embark his regiment, and to take with him the
twelve-pounder howitzer, which he did, but could not bring it off the
Island.
The transportation, under the direction of Major M. A. Pringle,
post quartermaster in Charleston,was admirably managed. Lieutenant
Colonel Dantzler, twentieth South Carolina volunteers, having been
specially detailed by General Ripley to superintend the transporta¬
tion. under his spirited and excellent management, it succeeded per¬
fectly. When the infantry were all embarked, I directed Captain
Kauapaux, commanding light artillery, to spike his three howitzers,
and embark his command. Captain Lesesne was then ordered to^spike
the guns of Battery Gregg, and embark his men. The rear guard
from Wagner coming up at this time, were embarked I had ordered
Captain Huguenin down, sending word by private John A. Stewart,
"Gist Guards," the cavalry couriers having left without permission.
There was no light kept at Gregg, so I could not well note the
hour. With two or three boats, I now anxiously waited for Captain
Huguenin's party. Finally, perceiving that the enemy's barges, from
Vincent's creek, were attacking our boats with musketry, I ordered
the safety-fuse to the magazine of Battery Gregg to be lighted. It
was lit, the firing then ceased. As I desired the explosions at both
batterie%to be simultaneous as ordered, I ordered Captain Lesesne to
extinguish the fuse, intending to relight it or apply another fuse when
Captains Huguenin and Pinkney, and Lieutenant Mazyck, who were
the only persons who had not yet come to the point, arrived,
ftjajor Holcombe, who had lighted the fuse, immediately attempted to
extinguish it. He informed me from the parapet of the battery that it
would be difficult to cut it in twain, and that it was burning brightly.
75
At that moment, the absent par'y arrived, and I directed him not to
interfere with the fuse, which was then burning brightly. About
half-past one, A M., with the rear guard of my command 1 embarked,
thus successfully withdrawing from Morris Island, and my responsi¬
bility ended. As we started off, the Yankee barges directed their
musketry fire upon us, causing the bullets to whiz around us, but do¬
ing no harm. Bearing towards Fort Sumter, I proceeded to flag-
steamer Charleston, and notified Captain Tucker, that the evacuation
of Morris Island was accomplished, and requesting htm to give the
rocket signal to our batteries. I then proceeded to district headquar¬
ters, and repeated the information, arriving at three, A. M., on
the 7th.
during the day and evening of the 6th, Captain Adger, the efficient
quartermaster, kept his only wagon moving the wounded from Wag¬
ner to Gregg, under the direction of chief surgeon, William C. Ra-
venel. Strange to say, none were hurt by the enemy's fire, which from
time to time, swept across the way. Of course the wounded were em¬
barked first. Dr. Ravenel performed his arduous duties with alacrity
.and zeal, shoAving every kindness to the wounded and stunned, which
poured in from sunrise on the 5th, till the evening of the 6th He
left about half-past ten, leading his ambulance corps. I am happy
to state that the majority cf the wounded were slight, though disa¬
bling the men for the time. The guns in the batteries were spiked,
and the implements generally destroyed, equipments mostly carried
off. The magazines v. ere not blown up, owing to the faulty character
of the safety fuses used for the purpose, which were ignited-—that at
Battery Wagner by Captain Iluguenin, assisted by Captain Pinckney,
district ordnance officer, and that at Battery Gregg by Maj. Hoicombe,
Haider Capt. Lesesne's instructions, and the supervision of Captain F.
D. Lee, and Lieutenant Stiles of the engineevs. The enemy were
within thirty steps of the front of Battery Wagner, the voices of
their sappers could be distinctly heard ; any attempt to break < ff the
trunnion, or shatter the carriage of a gun, could have been distinctly
heard, and our movements discovered , besides the gun chambers had
been filled with loose sand, displaced by the enemy's shot The guns
could not be managed. I attempted to move the sand, but my work¬
ing parties were broken up as soon as put to work. The enemy had
planted heavy mortars, within one hundred yards of the battery, and
they could and did throw their shells into any designated spot. They
Could hear the movement of a party at work along the line, and would
kill, wound, or disperse the men.
Property had to be destroyed within thirty steps of the enemy, and
while they could hear the voices of our men in this close proximity
to them, the whole garrison had to be removed. Their sand batteries
and fleet swept every inch of ground between Batteries Wagner and
Gregg, and any suspicion of our movements compromised, if it did
not destroy, the safety of the garrison. All the guns were effectually
Spiked. At Battery Gregg, everything was destroyed but the two
ten-inch guns ; they were prepared for bursting when the last party
embarked. Before this party arrived, the enemy's barges fired upon
76
ours, transporting our troops, and also turned their fire upon us. An
attempt had been made by the enemy the preceding night, in barges, to
assail and capture Battery Gregg, the number of their barges there, in
easy range, could not be ascertained. 1 was informed by ihe engineer,
Captain Lee, that the explosion of the magazine would destroy the
guns; the fuse was lighted, burning well, and no doubt was enter¬
tained of its ignitingthe magazine. The rear guard from Battery Wag-
'ner had embarked under fire from the enemy's barges. These barges,
I am convinced, gave the enemy the information of the withdrawal of
our garrison. The guns of Battery Gregg were spiked. My chief
exertion was to save my men, whose future services will, I trust, be
worth much more to the Confederacy than what I failed to destroy to
the enemy. Had instructions been sent to me earlier, more might
have been done.
Lieutenant Stiles, assistant engineer, stationed at Battery Gregg,
at nay request had come up to Battefy Wagner in the morning.
Upon examination, be expressed to me a doubt whether there was
powder enough in the magazine to blow it up. I should state at this
point, that 1 had sent, on Friday, for an additional supply of powder,
sending the requisition and my report as to the state of the garrison,
and of the day preceding, by Major Warley, chief of artillery, who
was wounded, and returning to the city in a small boat, sent for the
purpose. This boat was captured by the enemy's barges, and my-re-
port either taken or destroyed by Major Warley. Of this capture I
had no knowledge until Saturday night. The blowing up of the mag¬
azines was entrusted by me to brave and intelligent officers, who, I
think, did their best to effect it. See Huguenin's and Lesesne's re¬
ports marked "A" and " B." The chief ordnance officer of the dis¬
trict, came to >iorris Island, apparently to look after this, and was
given every facility he asked for. I did not attempt to destroy the
bomb-proof at Wagner, because after consulting with Captain Lee, of
the engineers, I deemed it impracticable, from the small quantity of
combustible material at my disposal, and that any smoke would at
once inform the enemy, and stimulate him to pursue us by land and
water. It must be remembered that che sand above the bomb-proof
was considerably saturated with water, which dripped through in seve¬
ral places.
To Captain Iluguenin, chief of artillery, Major Bryan, A. A. G.,
Lieutenant Colonel Pressly, commanding twenty-fifth Sout,h Carolina
volunteers, and Lieutenant Colonel Dantzler, superintending embark¬
ation, I am chiefly indebted for the success of the evacution.
My thanks are due to Mr, J. F Mathews, engineer corps, for th^
use of his boat and crew, for moving troops, and bringing me off*at
the last. ,
Captain Hayne and Lieutenants Montgomery an I Blum, of the
twenty fifth South Carolina volunteers, three valuable officers, weVe
killed at their posts of duty, during the last of the siege. Let tli^r
names he honored.
I desire to record the faithful services of privates Laith, and Stew¬
art, and Bond, of the Gist guard, South Carolina volunteers^ Wffo
77
have remained voluntarily on duty at Battery Wagner almost the en¬
tire siege, always attentive and cool un ler fire. Stewarr. would make
an,excel lent commissary, and Laith, a practical and hardworking ord¬
nance officer.
lieutenant R. M. Stiles, engineer corps, creditably perfo med the
duties assigned to him.
Lieutenant Miller, company A, second South Carolina artillery,
was d stingo ished for his courage, and for his cheerfulness. which was
not.diminished by a slight wound on the knee, and by being stunned
for half an hour.
To Major Bryan, of General Beauregard's staff, who volunteered
as my adjutant general, lam under the greatest obligations. Although
at the time 1 was ordered to Morris Island to assume comm md of the
forces these, he had a furlough to visit his father in Georgia who was
very ill, he promptly waived it, and volunteered to go wi n me His
tact, coolness, experience, courage and untiring industry, wore of the
greatest service to me. During the night and the day, h* v gilance
extended to every department, and perpetually sought oui. means of
increasing our resources and defences.
In spite of severe indisposition, for several days, I hav<- made every
exertion to me^t the very unusual responsibilities imp->s : i upon me.
Taking all circumstances into consideration, I trust tmu this will
not compare.unfavorably'on the part of the garrison witu any other
retreat made during this war
I am, sir, very respectfully, ^
Your obedient servant,
L M KK1TT,
Colonel con-/minding.
Official-:
W. Gordon McCabe,
[Endorsed.]
Headquarters Department South Carou.va, i
Georgia and Florida, >
Charleston, S. C., Sept. 19, ir>63 ^
Had this evacuation been conducted in strict compliance with detailed
orders, it would be one of the most memorable in history ; and after
it may be regarded as a signal success, and highly creditable to the
commanding officer and all officers and men who participated in it.
Subjected to a terrible fire, and beleaguered almost to the very ditch
of the work, by an enterprising, watchful adversary, yet the entire
garrison was withdrawn in safety. The coolness and discipline which
characterised this operation, and through which an efficient command
has been saved to the country for future use, are deemed worthy of
note and commendation by the War Department, especially when
taken in connection with their stout defence of Morris Island, for
78
four days preceding the evacuation, together with the limited and im¬
perfect means of water transportation at command. One of the rea¬
sons-assigned for not bursting the guns, blowing up the magazines
and bomb-proofs in Batteries Wagner and Gregg, is an alleged want
of tirre, after the order to evacuate had reached Morris Island, Calls
however, for remarks from these headquarters. It had been a stand¬
ing order for several weeks previous to the evacuation, that in such
an event, all guns, magazines, bomb-proofs. &c., should be thoroughly
detroycd, and, with that view, time fuses had bien tested, and with
*'rat-tail" files were provided for both works. Further, the written
special instructions of Brigadier General Ripley, prescribing mea¬
sures and means for the complete destruc'ion of these works, and of
their armaments, at the proper time, and the detailed orders directing
and regulating the evacuation of Morris Island, were received by the
commanding officer at dark, on the 6th instant, (about six, P. M.)
The last detachment of his command did not quit the Bland until after"
one, A. M. on the 1st instant, hence there were seven hours for the
completion of all necessary arrangements. I am, therefore, unable to
admit that there was any lack of time for the thorough execution of
the work of destruction ordered. It is not explained why the time¬
fuses failed to explode the powder left in the magazines ; they were
seen burning brightly when last observed, and it is therefore proba¬
ble that either before, or whilst the fire was being applied, the ends in
contact with th^powder were accidentally detached.
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General commanding.
PAPERS RELATING TO THE EVACUATION OF MORRIS
ISLAND— LIEUTENANT COLONEL D. B. HARRIS
RECOMMENDS EVACUATION OF MORRIS ISLAND
BATTERIES.
Office of Chief Engineer, }
Charleston, South Carolina, >
Aug. 6th, 1863. )
Brigadier General Thomas Jordan,
Chief of Staff.
General : I have the honor to report that I visited our works on
Morris Island to-day, and in consideration of their condition, of our
inability to repair damages at Battery Wagner as heretofore, of the
dispirited state of its garrison, and of the progress of the enemy's
Bap, I am reluctantly constrained to recommend an immediate evacua¬
tion of both Batteries Wagner and Gregg.
The thirty-six hours severe bombardment to which these batteries
have been subjected—confining the troops to the shelter of the bomb¬
proof—has resulted in so dispiriting the garrison at Wagner, as to
render it unsafe in the opinion of its chief officers to rely upon it ta
repel an assault, should the enemy attempt one. The head of the
enemy's sap is within forty yards of the salient of the battery, and
he is making rapid progress in pushing it forward, unmolested by the
fire of a single gun, and with scarcely any annoyance from our sharp¬
shooters.
In consequence of the accuracy of fire of his land batteries, "which
are now in close proximity to Battery Wagner—say from five to eight
hundred yards—aided by reverse fire from his fleet, it is impos¬
sible, in the opinion of the officers of the fort, to keep up a fire either
of artillery or small arms ; and the enemy is thus left free to work on
his trenches, which he is pushing rapidly forward, the head of his sap
being, as above stated, within forty yards of the salient of the work,
which is so seriously damaged by a battery , of Parrott guns, kept
constantly playing upon it, as to render it untenable. This difficulty
could, however, be overcome by the erection of a parapet across the
gorge of the salient, and the conversion of the bomb-proof covering
into another parapet overlooking the salient, if it were practicable to
work as heretofore at night. The covering to the bomb-proof
and magazine also need repair. We have been thus far able
not only to repair damage at night, but to add from day to day
to the strength of the battery, but now that the enemy's sap is in
fiuch close proximity to the battery, and he has contrived to throw
light upon the parapets at night, it is impossible to do so without a
heavy loss of men. In the effort last night, to repair damages, the
commanding officer of the fort reports a loss, in killed and mounded,
of sixty to eighty men of the working party alone. Without our
80
ability to repair damage at night, the battery will become, under the
incessant fire of the enemy's land batteries and fleet, untenable—say
in two days.
It is in view of these facts that I have thought it my duty to make
the recommendation at the commencement of this report,
I have the honor to be, General.
Yours, very respectfully,
D. B. HARRIS,
Lieutenant Colonel and Chief Engineer.
Official:
E. Kearny, A. A. A, G.
MINUTES OF A CONFERENCE OF GENERAL OFFICERS
IN CONNEXION WITH THE CONDITION OF BATTERIES
WAGNER AND GREGG.
Headquarters Department S. Carolina, Ga., and Fla., )
Charleston, S. (7., Sept. 24, 186S. 5
At eleven o'clock, A. M., 4th instant, a meeting of officers was
convened by the commanding General, at his office, for the purpose of
enabling him to determine how much longer he should attempt to
hold the north end of Morris Island. Present: General G T.
Beauregard, commanding; Major General J. F. Gilmer, second in
command; Brigadier General R. S. Ripley, commanding first mili¬
tary district; Brigadier General Thomas Jordan, chief of staff and
acting recorder ; Brigadier General Johnson Hagood; Brigadier
General A.H. Colquitt; Lieuteifmt Colonel D. B. Harris, chief engi¬
neer of the department. •
Brigadier Generals Hagood and Colquitt have both recently com¬
manded on Morris Island, and Lieutenant Colonel Harris, who had
frequently visited Morris Island during operations, and was present
during the assault made by the enemy on the night of the 18th of
July, in company with Major General Gilmer, inspected the works
on the night of the 3d instant, by order of the commanding General.
The first question addressed to these officers was as follows :
First—How long do you think Fort Wagner can be held with¬
out regard to safety of garrison ?
Generals Hagood and Colquitt replied—That in their belief the
enemy could now storm and carry the parapet of Battery Wagner
before our men could be got out of the bomb-proofs, and we would then
be held at a fatal disadvantage. That if the enemy should continue
his approaches as now, by zig-zags up to the ditch, some eight or
ten days would probably elapse before he could be expected to
take the work by regular approaches, but that an assault could bo
made successfully some days sooner, should the enemy advance
somewhat nearer by constructing another parallel and thence dash
forward and storm the work.
Colonel Harris—Thought the enemy would seek to take the
work by regular approaches, for which ten days would be necessary.
The chances of success of an attempt to carry the work after a
partial approach somewhat nearer them than at present would, he
believed, be unfavorable for the enemy. An attempt to carry the
Work by storm or assault at present would scarcely be successful.
Second—How long can the fort be held with a fair prospect of
saving its garrison with the means of transportation at our com¬
mand, and circumstances relative thereto as heretofore indicated by
actual experience ?
; General Hagood—Did not think the garrison of Battery Wagner
can be saved without we steal a march on the enemy, and that when
6
82
the enemy approaches nearer, he will be certain to get knowledge
of any movement towards evacuation.
General Colquitt—Thought the enemy may take the position at
bis pleasure; may light up the work now with calcium lights; that
the chances are diminishing daily for saving the garrison. But
both thought with proper precautions the garrison might be success¬
fully withdrawn.
Colonel Harris—Did not believe the enemy would attempt
assault, but would seek to take it by regular approaches on
the salient, hence the garrison might be saved within two days of
the time the enemy would be able to reach the ditch, or the com¬
pletion of his approaches.
Third—How long after the loss or evacuation of Wagner could
Fort Gregg be held ?
General Hagood—If vigorously attacked, Battery Gregg would
fall immediately after Wagner was carried.
General Colquitt—Would evacuate both same night.
Colonel Harris—Believed, if vigorously followed up, Battery
Gregg must fall immediately after the enemy shall get possession of
Wagner. In case reduction of Wagner is delayed a week, can,
however, throw up intermediate works for infantry to check advance
of enemy and delay fall of Battery Gregg, say three days.
Fourth■—Can the heavy guns (two in Wagner and three in G < g
in those two works be removed before their evacuation, without en¬
dangering the safety of the works and their garrisons ?
Generals Hagood and Colquitt—Thought the columbiads could be
removed without endangering safety of garrison, especially if pre¬
cautions were taken to assure the men that these guns were removed
because now useless, and to be replaced by others more effective in
this stage of defence. The columbiads do not materially enhance
strength of works at this time.
Colonel Harris—Thought, if obstinate resistance is to be made,
guns should not be removed.
Fifth—Can we take the offensive suddenly with a fair prospect of
success, by throwing, during the night, three thousand men on north
end of Morris Island, making, in all, four thousand men available,
bearing in mind that no reinforcements could be sent there until
night, and perhaps none for several nights, according to the move¬
ments of enemy's iron-clads and the fire of his land batteries.
Generals Hagood and Colquitt—Did not think the offensive can
now be undertaken with our present means of transportation, and
thought it would certainly fail if attempted.
At half-past two, P. M., Brigadier Generals Hagood and Colquitt
were dismissed to their posts, and at three, P. M., the conference was
adjourned, to meet again at eight, P. M.
At eight, P. M., the conference was resumed. Present—General
G. T. Beauregard, Major General J. F. Gilmer, Brigadier General
R. S. Ripley, Brigadier General Thomas Jordan, and Lieutenant.
Colonel D. B. Harris.
A discussion then took place relative to the condition of the works—
8*3
the probable plan of attack of the enemy, our means of defence, of
transportation, and reasons for prolonging our foothold on Morris
Island—until ten o'clock, P. M., the result of which was the deter¬
mination by the commanding general, to hold Morris Island so long
as communication with it could be maintained at night by means of
row-boats, but for which purpose sailors, or men able to handle boats
and oars with efficiency, were essential. It was agreed that the hold¬
ing of Morris Island as long as possible was most important to the
safety and free use of the harbor of Charleston, and our ability to
keep up easy communication with the works on Sullivan's and James
Islands, in view of which it was thought proper to renew applications
by*telegraph to the Secretaries of War and Naval Departments for
Borne two hundred sailors or oarsmen, which was done at once. It
was further decided that the five heavy guns on Morris Island, being
necessary, morally and physically, for the defence of the position to
the last extremity, and such being the difficulties, if not, indeed, the
insurmountable obstacles in the way of their removal at this time,,
that no effort should be made to save them, and consequently that-
they should be ultimately destroyed, with as much of the works as*
practicable, when further defence was abandoned. The conference
waB then adjourned until an answer should be received to applica¬
tions for oarsmen.
Charleston, S. C., September 7, 1863.
On the morning of the 6th instant, the despatches herewith^,
marked " A," and subsequently a letter, marked " B," from Colonel
L. M. Keitt, commanding Confederate States forces on Morris
Island, having been received, reporting that Battery Wagner was no
longer tenable, and that the garrison must be sacrificed if the position
was not evacuated that night, detailed orders were issued for the with¬
drawal of the garrison and destruction of the works and armament,
contingent on the report of Lieutenant Colonel Harris, chief engi¬
neer, who was directed to repair at once to Battery Wagner and
inspect and report its condition for further defence. His report is>
appended, marked " C." Meantime, Flag Officer Tuoker was con¬
ferred with and called on for such means of assistance in> the
Withdrawal of the garrison as were at his disposition, and every pos¬
sible arrangement was made. The orders and an accompanying
memorandum,^marked " E " and " F," were finally issued and reached
Morris Island about six, P. M. Orders several days previously,
under instructions from these headquarters, had been issued by the
district commander, regulating the manner of destroying the work
and armament, in case of such an exigency. See paper marked " F.n
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS JORDAN.
Ghief of Staff.
INSTRUCTIONS IN REFERENCE TO EVACUATION OF
BATTERIES WAGNER AND GREGG.
Commanding officer Battery Wagner :
Sir : As it is within the contingencies that Batteries Wagner and
Gregg may be evacuated, I wish the engineer and artillery officers .to
he fully prepared. A quantity of safety-fuse has been sent down, at
different times, to both Batteries Wagner and Gregg. This will at
once be examined and kept in place for service: All magazines will
be prepared for explosion, before the final evacuation takes place, by
causing safety-fuses, at least three in number, to be inserted in a file
of cartridges or a barrel of powder in each magazine, to be carefully
trained so that ignition be not premature, and of the length to ensure
time for leaving with the rear guard. The fuse burns fifteen seconds
to the foot, so that if ten minutes is required, the length of the fuse
ehould be forty feet, or more in proportion.
The engineer officer, or' some careful person, should be provided
with matches and linstock, andf at a signal from the commanding
officer, should, light carefully, and without undue haste, each safety-
fuse, and report.
The artillery officer should destroy the implements of each gun
which is not firing, and should spike securely all the guns of smaller
calibre, destroy the elevating screws, and render the carriages unser¬
viceable. »It will be well to ram a shot or shell down without cart¬
ridge, first inserting a small wedge of wood, to cause the ball to stick
in its position.
The ten-inch columbiads, if not removed, must be destroyed. They
must be burst, if possible. It is intended to send down a few two
hundred and ten pound bolts, with Tennessee caps. If these come,
put in two cartridges, with two bolts, prime with powder, and lash a
small cartridge over the vent, with a slow-match inserted. Let the
matches be fired at the same time with the magazines. It will be well
to cut through the braces of the carriage, and put all the eccentric
wheels in gear. If the bolts do not come, put in two cartridges, two
solid shot, another cartridge, and then fill the gun up to the muzzle,
priming and arranging the safety-fuses as before.
Other instructions will be given with regard to the evacuation, as
far as the troops are concerned; but should it take place, as these ar¬
rangements will depend on circumstances—and the circumstances and
the destruction of armament, &c. will require consideration and espe¬
cially coolness on the part of the artillery and engineer officers—it
has been thotight proper to send these instructions now. You will
please commufiicate them to the artillery and engineer officers of the
[confidential.]
Headqu ~
Department of So
85
command, and furnish them with the copies enclosed, in strict confi¬
dence. They must be turned over to their successors, as will be the
case with this paper to the officer who relieves you. Should Battery
Gregg be evacuated, the same arrangements will be made for the de¬
molition of magazines and armament; but of course, at that point it
will not take place until the last moment, according to instructions
from these or department headquarters.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R. S. RIPLEY,
Brigadier General commanding.
Official:
Wm. F. Nance, A. A. G.
Official:
E. Kearny, A. A. A. G.
TELEGRAMS GIVING EFFECTIVE FORCE AT WAGNER-
STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THAT WORK, &c.
, I. By signal, received at 12.45, A. M., September 6, 1863.
Morris Island, September 5, 1863.
Captain Nance, A. A. G.:
I had nine hundred, and not fourteen hundred men. About one
hundred of these to-day were killed and wounded. The parapet of
salient is badly breached. The whole fort is much weakened. A
repetition to-morrow of to-day's fire will make the fort almost a ruin'.
The mortar fire is still very heavy and fatal, and no important work
can be done. Is it desirable to sacrifice the garrison ? To continue
to hold it is to do so. Captain Lee, the engineer, has read this and
agrees. Act promptly and answer at once.
L. M. KEITT,
Colonel commanding.
The above was received by me at 1.30, A. M., September 6th.
G. T. B.
For answer of General commanding see No. 4.
II. By signal from Morris Island.
8.45, A. M., September 6th.
Captain N vnce, A. A. G.:
Incessant fire from Yankee mortar and Parrott battery. Can't
work negroes—better look after them promptly. Had thirty or forty
soldiers wounded in an attempt to work. Will do all I can, but fear
the garrison will be destroyed without injuring^he enemy. The
fleet is opening, but I hope that we may stand tiljjB-night.
COLONEL KEITT.
III. By signal from Morris Island.
10.30, A. M., September 6th.
•Oaptain Nance, A. A. G.:
Boats must be at Cummin's Point early to-night, without fail.
COLONEL KEITT.
'Official :
E. Kearnt., A. A. A. G.
IV. By signal to Colonel L. M. Keitt, commanding Morris Island.
Charleston, September 6, 1863—2.15, A. M.
Repair work with soldiers and negroes on island. I will determine
? what measures to adopt. No action should be taken in haste
'Tis too late to act this night.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Official: '
E. Kearny, A. A. A. G.
COLONEL KEITT ASKS IE BOATS WILL BE SENT FOR
GARRISON, &c.—ENEMY WITHIN FIFTY YARDS, &c.
Morris Island, September 6, 1863-+-3.15, P. M.
To Captain Nance : .
Will boats be here to-night for the garrison ? If so, at what time ?
And if our sacrifice be of benefit, I am ready; let it be said so, and
I will storm the enemy's works at once, or lose every man here. The.
enemy are within fifty yards of us, and before day dawns we should
assault him, if we remain here. Answer positively and at once.
Assistant Engineer Stiles has just inspected the fort. He says it
is untenable.
L. M. KEITT,
Colonel commanding.
Official:
W. F. Nance, A. A. G.
E. Kearny, A. A. A. G.
reporting the condition of batteries and the
NECESSITY OF REMOVING TROOPS TO-NIGHT.
Headquarters Battery "Wagner, September 6, 1863.
To Captain Nance, A. A. G., Charleston, S. C. :
Captain : The enemy will, by night, advance their parallel to the
moat of this battery. The garrison must be taken away immediately
after dark, or will be destroyed or captured. It is idle to deny that
the heavy Parrofct shell have breached the walls and are knocking
away the bomb-proofs.. Pray have boats immediately after dark at
Cummin's Point to take away the men. I say deliberately that this
must be done, or the garrison will be sacrificed. I am sending the
Wounded and sick now to Cummin's Point, and will continue to do
so, if possible, until all are gone. I have a number of them now
there.
I have not in the garrison four hundred effective men, excluding
artillery. The engineers agree in opinion with me, or rather shape
my opinion. I shall say no more.
l. m. keilfct
E. Kearny, A. A. G.
SPECIAL ORDERS DIRECTING THE EVACUATION OF
BATTERIES WAGNER AND GREGG.
Headquarters Department op S. Carolina, Ga., and Fla., >
Charleston, S. C.y Sept. 6th, 1863. $
SPECIAL ORDERS,)
No. 176. $
Battery Wagner, Morris Island, being no longer tenable, -without
undue loss of life, and the risk of final capture of its entire garri¬
son, the position and Battery Gregg will be evacuated as soon as
practicable, to which end the following arrangements will be made by
the district commander:
1. Two of the Confederate States iron-clads should take up posi¬
tions near Fort Sumter, with their guns bearing on Cummins' Point,
and to the eastward of it.
At the same time all our land batteries will be held prepared to
sweep all the water faces of Battery Gregg. Transport steamers will
take positions within the harbor, but as near as practicable to Cum¬
mins' Point, to receive the men from the row-boats, by which the
e^^rkation will be effected from Morris Island.
As many row-boats as necessary, or which can be manned by effi¬
cient oarsmen, will be provided and kept in readiness at once, to pro¬
ceed to and reach Cummins' Point or that vicinity, as soon after
dark as may be prudent. Having reached the beach of Morris
Island, a courier, or a relay of footmen, will be despatched by the
naval officer in charge, with notice of the fact to the officer in com¬
mand of Battery Wagner, and of the exact transport capacity of the
boats. A naval officer, with proper assistants, will have exclusive
charge of the boats and of their movements.
2. The commanding officer of Battery Wagner, having made, during
the day, all arrangements for the evacuation and destruction of the
work and armament, and when informed of the arrival of the boats,
will direct first the removal and embarkation of all wounded men, and
thereafter, according to the capacity of the boats at hand, will with¬
draw his command, by companies, with soldierly silence and delibera¬
tion. Two companies will remain in any event to preserve a show
of occupation and repair, and to defend from assault during embarka¬
tion ; and it is strictly enjoined that no more men shall be permitted
to quit the work and go to the landing, than can be safely embarked.
The embarkation will be superintended by the field officers, or regi¬
mental and battalion commanders, who will halt and keep their
respective commands about one hundred (100) yards from the boats,
divide them into suitable squads, for assignment to the boats, in exact
conformity with the directions of the naval officers in charge of
embarkation, and then superintend the disposition of the men accord¬
ingly, impressing on all the vital necessity for silence, obedience to
orders, and the utmost coolness.
91
3. The companies left to occupy Battery Wagner to the last, will
he under the charge of a firm and intelligent field officer, who will
not withdraw his command until assured there is sufficient transporta-,
tion for all the remaining garrison of the island, including that of
Battery Gregg.
4. The final evacuation will depend for success, on the utmost cool¬
ness and quiet on the part of every man. At least two officers, pre¬
viously selected, will be left to light the fuses, already arranged and
timed to about fifteen minutes, to blow up the magazine and bomb¬
proof, and to destroy the armament in the manner already indicated,
in special instructions from district headquarters. But the fuses must
not be set on fire until it is certain that there is transportion for the
removal of all the garrison, or except the enemy become aware of the
evacuation and are evidently about to storm and enterthe work. The
men must be embarked with arms loaded, ready to rc^l an attack by
boat parties of the enemy.
5. The garrison of Battery Gregg will stand staunchly at their post
until the last company from Battery Wagner shall be embarked. It
will then take to the boats with silence and deliberation, provision
having been duly made at Battery Wagner for the destruction of the
the work and its ordnance Both explosions shall be as nearly simul¬
taneous as possible, and the complete success of the evacuation will
probably be in the hands of those whose high duty will be to apply
the fire to the fuses at Battery Wagner.
The garrison of Battery Gregg will be embarked with the same
precautions and regulations, as prescribed for Battery Wagner.
In case the enemy should carry Battery Wagner immediately after
the garrison shall have evacuated, or in any way the explosion of the
magazine shall be prevented, a signal of three (3) rockets, discharged
in rapid succession, shall be made from Battery Gregg, when the naval
vessels in position and our land batteries bearing on Battery Wagner,
will be opened with a steady fire on the site of that work, as will be like¬
wise done immediately after an explosion shall take place, and this
fire will be maintained slowly during the night.
' Brigadier General Ripley will give such additional orders as will
be calculated to secure the successful evacuation of Morris Island, or
to_meet emergencies. He will confer with Flag Officer Ingraham, and
procure all necessary assistance.
The operation is one of the most delicate ever attempted in war.
Coolness, resolute courage, judgment and inflexibility on the part of
officers ; obedience to orders and a constant sense of the necessity for
silence on the part of the men, are essential for complete success and
the credit which must attach to those who achieve it.
By command of General Beauregard.
THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of Staff.
Official :
John M. Otey, A. A. G.
'MEMORANDUM IN REFERENCE TO THE REMOVAL OF
TROOPS FROM MORRIS ISLAND.
Headquarters Department ^
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, V
Charleston, Sept. 6th, 1863, 3£, P. M. )
Brigadier General R. S. Ripley,
Commanding First Military District, Charleston, S. C. .*
The steamboats to take position near the south edge of the chan¬
nel, and about midway between Forts Johnson and Sumter. Small
boats to ply btiSveen steamers and Cummins' Point; should steam¬
boats be driven from their position, must go to Fort Johnson.
First trip of small boats to take off sick and wounded, to steamboats.
First (and possibly the second) trip with troops, to be landed at
Sumter, the rest at steamers. If the steamboats are driven away by
shot and shell, then at Johnson.
The trips to be continued until all are off of Morris Island, not¬
withstanding shelling of the enemy.
The troops landed at Sumter to be removed to steamers or Fort
Johnston, as soon as the transportation of the whole from Morris
Island shall have been finished.
A fast boat to be left behind for the dozen (about) officers who are
to blow up magazines, burst guns, etc.
Officers in Sumter must be notified of the intention to land troops
at that work, from Morris Island. .
All the batteries must be notified of this movement of small boats
and steamers in the harbor, to-night.
When the officers left at Wagner and Gregg to explode magazines,
etc., shall have got sufficiently far from Cummins' Point, for our bat¬
teries to open on the site of those two works, those officers will set off
from their boat three rockets, or make some other agreed signal, to
notify the batteries that they can commence firing.
A blue light at Gregg will indicate when the ten minute fuses in
Wagner are to be lighted ; those in Gregg are not to be lighted until
the officers from Wagner have reported.
Troops in Wagner and Gregg will march at proper times, to Cum¬
mins' Point beach, by companies, each company being halted about
one hundred yards from position of boats; their officers will then send
them by squads equivalent to the capacity of each boat destined to
receive them. All men must have their, arms loaded on entering the
boats to defend themselves in case of necessity.
The most complete silence and order must be maintained through¬
out the entire operation.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General commanding.
Official:
A. R. Chisholm, A. D. C.
Official:
John M. Otey, A. A. G.
REPORT OP MAJOR ELLIOTT.
Headquarters Fort Sumter, )
September 9, 1863. 5
Captain W. F. Nance, A. A. G. :
Captain . I have the honor of making the following report r
About eight o clpck, yesterday, the Ironsides, and five monitors,
took positions close to Sullivan's Island, and engaged Fort Moultrie,
and the batteries on that island. They kept up a very severe fire for
several hours, our batteries replying promptly.
Yesterday morning, a monitor was evidently aground, near Morris
Island; on reporting the fact, Fort Moultrie opened on her, hitting
here effectively at least twice. Her deck was six feet above the water-
line, leaving her sides exposed. Shell Point Battery also fired on
her. It is to be regretted that our fire was not more general and
continuous. At high water, in the afternoon, she got off.
In the engagement of the fleet with Fort Moultrie, the monitors
were frequently struck, and the Ironsides had her deck hit twice, one of
the shots tearing away a large portion of her upper bulwarks. She lay
along side of a transport all the afternoon, evidently undergoing re¬
pairs.
Having for several nights expected a boat attack, I had one-third
of the garrison under arms on the parapet, and the remainder so
posted as to reinforce with promptness.
At one, A. M., this morning, I saw a fleet of barges approaching
from the eastward. 1 ordered the fire to be reserved until they should
arrive within a few yards of the fort. The enemy attempted to land
on the southeastern and southern faces. He was received by a well
directed fire of musketry, and by hand-grenades, which were very ef¬
fective in demoralizing him. Fragments of the epaulement were also
thrown down upon him. The crews near the shore, sought refuge in
the recesses of the foot of the scarp, those farther off, in flight. The
repulse was decided, and the assault was not renewed. His force is
reported to have been four hundred men, but it is believed to have
been much larger. His loss is four men killed ; two officers and sev¬
enteen men wounded, and ten officers and ninety two men captured.
We secured five stands of colors and five barges, others were disabled,
and drifted off. One gunboat, and Fort Johnston, and the Sullivan's
Island batteries enfiladed our faces, and contributed to prevent a re¬
newal of the assault. Many of the shots struck the fort. The gar¬
rison consisting of the Charleston battalion, behaved admirably. All
praise is due to Major Blake, his officers and men, for the promptness
and gallantry displayed in the defence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
veryr p jr, j qtjjPHBN ELLIOTT, Jr.,
Major Artillery, P. A. C. S., commandiug.