The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-07-18

rate measures were JuStlhaDle. Gen. StrOnS was
confident that bis gallant troops, any Of them,
would stand any ordinary fire with reasonable pros
pect of achieving success.
Leut.-Col. ROdman, of the intrepid 9TH Conn.
battalion, volunteered, with his four Companies,
to act as the advance, promising that If properly
supported he would take any fort in South Carroll
ma. Gen. Strong selected as the support two fine
regiments, which had been very gallant in the
morning, and in which he had great confidence,
the 9th Maine, Col. Emery, and the 10Th Penna;;,
col. Strawbridge. The regiments appeared much
pleased with the honor of being selected for this
duty, and the prospects were very favorable.
Soon after midnight all the regiments in camp
were silently aroused and formed in line OF battle.
I he storming force advanced to within halt mile
of the fort, and waited the time for the assault.
At the last moment it was learned that col. Straw
fridge, of the 10Th, in whom the Regiment have
g eat confidence, aud who was to take the right OF
the support, was severely i'll and could not come
out This dispirited III. regiment somewhat, but
Major Hicks popular and brave officer, took CON-
mand, ard there were no signs of failure. Henry's
Battery moved down to the front to cooperate,
and in the dusk Of the morning, just before three
o'clork tue battalion and two regiments moved
on. Gen. Gilmore and several Of his Staff were
where they could see the assault and Gen. Strong,
with his Staff, and Col. Turner the efficient Chief
Of Gen. Gilmore Staff, all mounted, accomI anied
the troops toward the tort At two hundred yards
firm the fort the picket were encountered and
driven in. Gen. Strong rode up to the advance,
and said in an Impressive manner, "fre
low, and put your trust in God! Forward the
Connecticut SEVENTH They gave loud cheer,
lust as a round of canister and grape swept over
their heads; they did not finch, nor did the sec
ond round, which took off some of thei. brave
men, cause them to stagger a third round came,
and many more fell, but still the noble men kept
on, regardless of danger, cheering, clambering
over meat and ditch, heroes in courage an devils
in impetucsty. Hand grenades were showered
among them but they needed them not. Up over
the parapet they went and replied to vClley of
minnie balls by shout of Triumph, for they sGr-
posed the support at hand and victory certain.
But the support had wavered. When the fearful
fire moved down their ranks, the 18th hated, but
advanced again like brave men, trying to face
tain destruction. The fire was terrible, and when
round after round played through them, those in
the rear became demoraiized, the advance were
left alone, the 9th Maine became infected, and
when col. Rodman, wounded mortaly, az he sup
posed in the side but still waving his sword the
parapet, as blood rushed from his mouth, turned
to look for his support he saw only fleeing crowd
of routed men, and exclaimed in very despair,
"That's id pretty support-see tow the COW
ards run!" Major Hicks and few brave fellows
pressed directly up to the front and mounted the
br eastw0rks, or were slaughtered In the atcn lie
Seventh were almost alone, and there was nothing
left but to retreat Over two hundred musketS
aid rifles were thinning their ranks and the sur.
vvors reluctantly lett Oft bayoneting gunners, to
turn their backs on the foe. But now came the
worst of the slaughter. AS the troops retreated
they could be more distinctly seen, and the volleys
came with fatal precision. Col. Rodman had his
leg shattered, and was the only wounded man
brou hit off from the front. His men would
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irving to rescue him. Little mo was done during
the day. except that working parties were busy
constructing batteries and entertainments. Our
losses ON the first day were fourteen killed, one
missing, and ninety odd wounded, some fatally.
In the storming party of Saturday morning, the
7th Conn. had l03 killed, wounded and missing.
The missing are all prisoners or killed; many are
known to be killed or wounded The total loss Of
The whole day, reported in Strong's brigade were
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