Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-17
THE ATTACK UPON CHARLESTON.

THE ATTACK UPON CHARLESTON.
Previous TO the opening Of the attack upon Charles
ton, Mayor Macbeth issued procamations announcing
to the citizens the dangers that overhung them, and
calling upon them to suspend all business within the
city until the safety Of the place is assured; Also ad
vising and requesting all women and children and all
non combatants to leave the city soon as possible.
The following is from the Courier's account of Fri
days fight:
1t had been expected in official circles for several
days previously that an attack in contemplation
and accoI DINGHY all forces the Island were put
in motion 10 meet the enemy. About daylight Friday
morning. battery of the enemy of not less than fifty
guns, together with about fifteen boat hoWitzers,
mounted the enemys barges, and the guns from four
Monitors, opened 4 tremendous fire on Capt. Mchel's
battery completely enfladiDg il the right and left
causing some havoc among both officers aud men.
The fire from the boat howiiz sas particularly de-
sruotiVe. The sharpshooter5 of the enemy also did
considerable execution by picking off the men at the
guns Ii was by Que Of these that tie gallant Lieut..
John Bee was killed, Minnie ball striking and passing
through il head. The men, notwithstanding this ter
Iible shower OF solid shot, she'll and tulets stood TO
their guns noby, and it not until they were COM
IlI:ely exhausted, and the enemy who had landed in
force were rapidly approaching, that the order was
given TO retire.
men, whose exhausted condition prevented escape
Capt J. Ravenel Macbeth aud Lieut.. G. hayward are
reported among the prisoners so TAKEN IL stated
Yesterday that Capt. Mitchell was at time in the
hands of the enemy, when bis rallied and succeed
ed in getting him away from his captors. After the
abandonment OF the battery Capt. Mtches artillery
men fell back with the infantry to Battery Wagner
The enemy's infantry then threw out line of skir-
mishers and advanced forming in three lines of battle
across Gregg's Hill to Vinegar Hill.
The DIST Regiment, s. G. v, Major McIVer command
ing and Nelson's battalion, together with the artllerst
ali under the command Of Colonel Graham were sent
forward TO oppose the enemy's further progress. A
severe fgit ensued and forces gradually fell back
to Battery Wagner. Two deepetae but unsuccessful
temps 10 carry the battery by assault made by
the Yankees In both assaults the enemy suffered
terribly leaving large numbers Of their dead AID
on the field.
Tue Yankees after this, fell back TO Vinegar Hill
1t is said they took and still hold possession of Colonel
Graham's former adquarterS The enemy, after fall
ing back received renforcements and made a show of
again moving against the battery. The force OF the
enemy eng gtd Friday supposed to have been about
four thousand. Our loss in killed. wounded and mis-.
ing will probably be about three hundred
The firing on both sides ceased about half-past sir,
when the Monitors withdrew. The report that ole left
during the engagement in crippled condition WIS
true The whole four were engaged throughout the
action and in the afternoon their fire upon Battery
Wagner was very severe. We learn however that the
battery was very slightly injured An officer who OBJ
served the effect of Shots says they struck AMI
rolled of the sides and decks OF the Monitors like so
many marbles or pebble stones. Captain Haskelrs aud
Lieutenant Bees bodies fell into the hands OF the
nv. Drs r. 3. Hanahan and Prioeau said 10 be
prisoners in the hands of the enemy.
Captain Langdon Oheyes, an accomplished and very
efficient officer of the Engineer corps, killed almost
instantly by a shell from Monitor eIplodngn Battery
Wagner and striking him in the head. His body
brought to the city last evening
We omitted TO mention in the right place that Fort
Sumter opened on the turreted and the Yam
kee infantry the South end of Morris lsand with
what result we are unable to say.
Toe fight doubtless will be renewed to-day, with great
er ferceness than any We have yet seea. The enemy
has certainly shown deepla plan and is determined
TO push it.
SATURDAYS FIGHr
Toe Mercury of Monday says
Before the papers of last issue had reached the
eyes of our readers another bloody and important
ton had taken place on Morris Island
The enemy evidently did not, at first feel secure in
biz newly gained position. During Thursday night
according the statements Of prisoners the Yankee
forces we're drawn up in line of battle. At daybreak
finding that the expected night attack would not DO
made il determined amongst the Yankee leaders
themselves to attempt onset upon Battery Wagner.
Gen Strong with force of about 1000 picked men, at
once made preparations for the assault His command
consisted OF four companies of the TIN Conn., 1t Col
Rodm n commanding with the 10th Penn, Col Straw
bridpe the 9th Maine Col Emery; the 4Sth and l0Oth
New York with the Lost Csilde an iudepen dent
regiment
s,utday be advanced at the double quick towards
work Col Graham, who was in command at Battery
Wagner suffered the enemy TO get within about forty
wards when he gave the word 10 Fire! and down
vent the foremost rank of the ASSISTANTS. Yet on they
came with spirit and resolution, some OF them even
gaining the interior of the work. But they paid dearly
for their temerity. EgeryWbe e they were met With
GOODNESS and determination by our men, who maintained
their FIRE steadily and after sharp contest oil hfteen
Minutes the ehemys first line gave way ano he'd In con-
fpsion The second line retired without any serious
s,tempt to retrieve the fortunes OF the first.
The day was won. In the melee we had taken lSO
,r;.oUsrs snd s5 of the enemy's dead lay strewn mme
daiely ia front of works An cheer wto nad ven
tnred .ome distance beyond, states that the Yankee
Add we're quite az numerous further CT from our works
an that il il within the bounds OF moderation 70 estimate
the enemys loss in killed wounded and missing at quite
600 Our own loss was comparatively tisn~ captain
Poste Mallory, and j. A. Santina, OF the 18th Ga
Rotation with O or two Others whose names we have
M, Ia,rned were killed, and few others wounded.
Tbo prisoners were brought to the city an marched
N iaI Their bearing was very impertnent. They ad
,d the severe character OF their Losses, and stated
tbat General Strong, with Lieutenant Colonel Rodman,
e tho 7tb Connecticut had been badly wouaded. Il
from their statements that their regiments
1ev far from being full many OF the companies having
,;nd,ed down TO mere handfuls. Brigadier General
Seymour is on Morris Island, and Major General Gil
more who now succeeds Hunter Ia the command of
his Dpartment has his headqu rers for the present
N Folly Island The following are the names Of the
Yankee oomaiss oned officers who we're taken in the
light:
Capt David B. Hogeland, 76th Pa.
Capt Jerome Tourtellotte, wounded.
Capt " B. Chamberlain.
Lieut.. Wm. Z. Phillips, 7th Conn.
Lieut. E. w. Ware, 9th Maine.
Lieut. Elmer @. Jordan, 7th Conn. |
An day Saturday and Sunday the heavy booming Of