Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-07-04
The Battle of Secessionville.

Near the centre of James Island, and
to the east of the road from the southern
part of the island to Fort johnson and
Charleston, is neck of land some two
hundred and fifty feet broad, and lying
between morasses on each side. Across
this at a point called Secessionvlle, the
rebels had thrown up fort, so protected
in its rear as to have the strength of q
redoubt, and near it also had battery
on hulk. These brought one Of Gen
eral Benham's camps in range of their
fire. The object of the rebels was, as
soon as they could completely strengthen
their work, which they were laboring
night and day to do, by constructing
bomb-proof covers to protect their men
and guns, mounting additional guns, &c,
to she'll out the Federals from their po-
sition. They had six guns mounted on
the fort Zone of them a 100-pound riied
cannon) probably of the Liverpool
Blakely' pattern, and six or seven more
were lying there ready to be mounted.
Our men Immediately threw up bat
terry of two rifled Parrot and one James
gun in advance of our right. This bat
terry shelled the enemy's position on ihe
l4th and 10Th insts., siencing the fire
from the floating battery, but apparently
not injuriDg the Fort. BY information
obtained from deserters and otherwise,
subsequently confirmed by prisoners ia
ken on the 18th, Gen. Benham learned
the above facts relative to the rebel
works. 1t was thus apparent that the
rebels were attempting to make upon
him the same approaches that he and Gen
Gilmore had themselves so recently and
successfully practiced upon Fort Pulaski,
1t could not be permitted that the reb-
els should compete the scrutiny of their
own position and strengthen it as they
pleased and then shell US out at their
leisure, which they evidently would do
if unmolested. 1t was, therefore, deemed
a matter of the utmost Importance, and,
indeed, Of necessary, to make recon-
noissance in force, and if necessary, and
there should be prospect of success, to
attempt to capture the Fort. According
ly Gen. Stevens was sent forward, the
9Th Michigan Regiment leading. 1t was
designed to make the attack at early day
break, while it was nearly dark, but ow-
ing to some delay it was five o'clock
when be arrived in front of the fort.
Gen. Wright followed half mile
further to the left, Col. Williams of the
1st Massachusetts cavalry leading his
advance. Gen. Stevens made the at
tack. The advanced company of that
fighting little regiment, the 9Th Michigan
and part of the 10Th New York, High
landers) dashed upon the parapet, sup
ported by other troops. The fighting
here was terrible. Our men fred with
great rapidity, but a murderous fire was
poured into them from bodies of infantry
and in the rear of the fort, as we'll rs
from its heavy guns and field howitzers.
Our men actually captured several pris-
oners and passed them out over the par
apat, but portion of this wing did not
follow in support closely enough. The
troops were Withdrawn under cover of a
hedge about five hundred yards from the
fort in tolerable order, Rockwell's Con-
necticut battery vigorously and skillfully
them. In the mean time the
New Hampshire Sd, with Hamilton's
and Ransom's batteries, pushed forward
upon the enemy's right, driving battery
of rebel field guns quickly befor them,
and poured a heavy fire across the march
upon the fort, which they could not reach
on account of the marsh and creek
They nearly succeeded in outhanking
the enemy's main body and getting an
enflading fire upon the fort, when bat
Lery unexpectedly opened upon them from
The woods away to the left. Still they
stood their ground bravely and fought
like heroes. The Third is noble reg
ment. Gen. Stevens flank was now
covered and reinforcements sent to sup
port him. The firing was continued for
some time, when it being impossible to
reduce the fort with musketry and our
field pieces, and it being necessary, if we
charged again, to pass over some eight
hundred yards of level space directly in
'front.' of the fort, our forces were with
lrawn in good order. Our loss in killed
wounded and missing is 673. That of
he enemy must be very severe The