The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-08-12

IFro!r9 the New York Tribune, 2Tth.1
THE ATTACK OF FoRr WAGNER-A
BLOODY NIGHT ASSAULT AND Re-
PULSE. H
MORRIS ISLAND, S. c. July 19. 5,
Again Fort Wagner has been assaulted,
and again have we beenrepulsed, and with,
[ regret to say, much more formidable
loss in killed, wounded and missing, than
in the first attempt.
The first assault failed, as Istated in
nv last letter, on account of the tardiness
of the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania and
the Ninth Maine to properly support the
successful assault of the Seventh Con-
recticut, who were left alone on the para
pet and within the bitches of the fort to
battle with the whole rebel garrison.
In the assault of the 11th inst, but
one brigade. and that a very small one,
under the command of Gen. Strong, were
engaged; in that of last evening a whole
division, consisting of three full brigades
were drawn-out in line to take part in the
action, but on account of some misunder-
standing of orders, but two actually par
ticipated in the fight.
Since the engagement of the 11th, Gen.
Gilmore has strained every nerve. to
strengthen his position on Morris Island,
and so far as human foresight can discern,
has made his lines of defense impregoa-
Bile, before advancing to the attack.
Three fourths of the island is in our
possession; five batteries have been erect
ed, in all containing nine 30 pound and
four 20 pound PARROTS, and ten 10 inch
mortars on the left, with two 80 pound
PARROTS, ten 10 inch mortars and three
full batteries of light artillery on the
right. The earthworks protecting these
guns have all been erected by the New
York Volunteer Engineers, under the
direction OF Captain Brooks and Lieu
tenants Mirche and Slater of General Gil
more's staff.
During the action of yesterday, Lieut.
Col. Jackson, Chief of Artillery on Gen.
Gilmore staff commanded on the left, and
Captain Langdon, of the First United
States Artillery, Company NJ, on the
right The extreme right rests on the
ocean breach; the extreme left on the
edge of swamp, about 500 yards from
the small creek separating Morris Island
from James Island The whole line Of
batteries sweeps in the form of semi
circle, and is at all points about 1,S0C
yards from Fort Wagner. Nearly all the
guns upon the left are about 1000 yards
from Fort Sumter; but being of light
caliber compared with the one on thai
formidable structure, were not brought tc
bear upon her at any time during the
action.
x *ise* *
For eight hours the Monitors and the
). Ironsides have kept up continuous fire
and Fort Wagner has not yet surrendered
For eight hours ffty-four guns from thu
land batteries have buried their shot anc
she'll within her walls, and still she faunt
the red battle flag in our face.
'sSomething must be done, and that too
quickly, or in few days we shall hav
the whole army in Virginia upon us,
said an officer high in command. w
must storm the fort TO night and carry
at the point of the bayenet y
In a few moments signals are mad
from the top Of the lookout, and sool
j Generals aud Colonels commanding diyi
sions and brigades were seen galloping t.
the headquarters Of the Commanding
General. A few words in consultation
and General Seymour Strong, Stevenson
and Colonels Putnam and Montgouer.
are seen fastening back to their respec
tive commands. officers shout, bugle
|, sound, the word of command is given, an,
tsoon the soldiers around, upon and unde
the sand hills of Morris Island sprin
from their hiding places, fall into line
march to the beach, are organized in ne'
brigades, anG1 in solid columns stand read
to move to the deadly assault.
Not in widely extended battle line, wit
cavalry and artillery at supporting dis
tances, but in solid regimental column, o
the hard ocean beach, for half mile be
fore reaching the fort, in plain sight c
the enemy, did these three brigades NOV
to their appointed work.
r Gen. Strong, who has SO frequently
since his arrival in this department, brave
death in its many forms of attack, wa
assigned to the command of the first bri
gade. Colonel Putnam, of the Sevent
New Hampshire, who, although of tn
! Regular Army, and considered one of tn
best officers in the department, had neve
led his men into battle, nor been unde
fire, took command of the second, an
Gen. Stevenson the third, constituting tn
reserve. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
! (colored regiment;) the Sixth Connect
cut, Col. Chatt6eld; the Forty eighth Ne
York, Colonel Barton, the Third Ne
Hampshire, Col. jackson; the Seventy
, sixth Pennsylvania, and the Ninth Main,
Colonel Emery, to advance to the assault
At the instant the lines was seen slowl
advancing in the dusk toward the fort, an
before a double quick had been ordere
5 a tremendous fire from the bar-bette gur
on Fort Sumter, from the batteries o