Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-03-20
Attack on Fort McAliister.

AVtOCA VA VTI ACAIlSCcr.
The Savannah Republican gives an in
teresting account of the attack on Fort
McAllister
At nine o'clock the Montauk fred the
FIRST gun, and was followed by her asso-
ciates in rapid succession Thus COM
menced the firing on both sides, and the
deadly strife was kept up steadily for seven
and half hours without the slightest inter
mission. Considering the strength of the
combatants respectively, and the immense
weight of metal thrown in terrific grandeur
there has been nothing like it since the
commencement of the war; indeed, history
furnishes no parallel. 1t is estimated that
the enemy threw some two hundred and
fifty shot and she'll at the fort, amounting
to some sixty or seventy tons of the most
formidable missiles ever invented for the
destruction of human life. Only think Of
ii and l5-inch round shot, and rifle shells
s inches in diameter and II inches in
length, screaming along their destructive
way like so many fiery demons, plunging
into the earthworks Of Fort McAllister to
the depth of eight or ten feet, or exploding
with voice of thunder and the jar Of an
earthquake, for more than seven mortal
hours, over. around, and in the midst Of
our undaunted little band Of patriots !!
Firm and untcrrided they stood to their
guns through it ali, and at the close, with
defiant shot aud shout of victory, saluted
the retiring foe. Such fire was never 'di-
rcctcd against mortal man before, and they
came out not only unscathcd but triumphant
from the fiery ordeal. About mid day H.
inch she'll struck the upright post of the 8
inch columbiad and shiyered the entile car
riage to atoms; the gun was consequently
lost to them for the remainder Of the day.
The main traverse wheel of the AZ. FOUNDER
was carried away by a shot and replaced
within twcnty minutes in the midst OF a
terrific FIRE.
About quarter past o'clock P NJ. a
shot from our ~ FOUNDER struck the body
of the Montauk, volume Of steam was
seen to issue from her side, and her tur-
ret refused to rcvolve She Immediately
weighed anchor, TUNED her bow down
the stream, aud retired from the fight. The
fort gave her parting salute as she round
ed, to which, she replied by two random
shots-one of which went up the river, and
the other across the marsh-as much as to
say to her troublesome customer, IF |
can't whip you, 60 to the ID" The fort
fred the first and the last shot In few
minutes the other two rams turned about
and followed their file leader, which, on
making the bend below, was taken in tow
L.,
This conclusion is supported by the testi
mony Of our pickets, who report that her
pilot house was taken down, and the men
were at work on her during the whole Of
that night and the day following.
Thus ended the fight, with the exception
of slow but continued FIRE. which was
kept up from the mortar boats from behind
the point Of wood throughout the night, i'll
order to prevent repairs on the fort. 1t,
however, did little or no damage. nor did it
cause suspension Of the work for mo-
ment. The garrison being pretty well
worn out by the labors of the day, Major
Schaaf battalion Of sharpshooters volun-
! tccred to make the necessary repairs.
/ Though under fire these brave men contin-
ued t"eir work throughout the night, and
at daylight the dismounted column bad was
I agsin in position, all the breaches repaired,
aud the fort in coml lete order for another
trial Of strength with her formidable antag
! onists. At dawn the men were again at
their guns; but hour after hour passed and
no enemy hove III sight The Yankees
had received their fill, aud concluded to let
us alone
It, Elarbee aud bis little band had taken
their position under cover of the marsh.
within rifle shot Of the cnemy's rams. 1t
was one of extreme peril. being not only
exposed to raking FIRE from the gunboats
should they be discovered, but also in a
direct line with the fire from the fort Du-
ring the fight All officer made his appear
ance on the deck of the Montauk, with
glass in hand. and presented the long
wished for target. A Maynard rifle slug
soon went whizzing by his ears, which
startled and caused him to right about,
when second slug apparently took effect
on his person. as with both hands raised he