The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-04-25
From the New York Tribune of the 14th

At sunrise o vail of mist hung over the
horizon, but toward the middle of the
forenoon it cleared rapidly away, and at
ten o'clock the pilot announced that, at
last, our work would commence.
Early in the morning signals from the
shore revealed to lis the undisputed pos
session of Folly Island by Col. Howell's
brigade. Gen. Seymour is with it, and
seems at loss why We did not move to
the attack with daybreak.
The Admiral, Commodore Turner, and
all are anxious to get under way as soon
as the mist had disappeared. But Pilot
Godfrey again prevails with his argumen-
tation in favor of going in upon low tide,
and We must put up with continuing upon
the rack of suspense until afternoon.
As the morning hours advacced, the
sphere of our operations became more
and more defined. On the lower end of
Morris island rebels could be seen drag
ging heavy guns to the beach. The men
and guns on the walls of Forts Sumter
and Moultrie could be readily counted.
The spires and even the houses of Charles
ton seemed not more than mile OF two
off.
At noon there is call for general
muster on the gun-deck. From the adj
miral down to the powder-boys, all hum
bly, kneel and listen to and seek strength
for the coming trial, from short, touch
ing prayer read by Commodore Turner,
The recollection of the sight OF those four
hundred determined, battle-eager men,
bowing in picturesque groups before their
Maker, around the grimest implements OF
war, will never be effaced from my mem
DRY.
At II j. the signal to get under way
was hoisted on the flagship. The question
how the iron -clads we're to communicate
with each other during action had often
puzzled me, but an ingenious arrangement
contrived by the officers of the Ironsides
and the admiral's staff, consisting OF
narrow opening in the plate over the aft
: ,ts,v8~y ssrr-rrs,4
small flags was raised above the spar deck,
gave assurance of ready communication
and comprehension of orders.
There was some delay with the Monitors
ahead of us but at ten minutes OF two
O'Clock the whole line was in motion
Gen. Seymour telegraphs "God bless
Won" when our screw made its first revo-
lutions. Or
Now comes the stirring general call to
quarters. There was great hustle for a
few seconds, but the apparent chaos on
the gun and powderdecks quickly changed
into the most perfect order and quietude,
and in a few minutes after the order was
given, every breathing body, Lieut.. Town
of the army signal corps, his two assist
ants and myself, alone excepted, was
ready to do his part in the action. There
was not that boisterous, eyanescent enthu-
siasm I have often seen rise in the army
to high pitch, and then suddenly fall to
the depth of raven-heartedness but the
calm resolution and prompt obedience OF
orders that is the vital condition of sue
cess in battle. There were five hundred
men on the two decks but a remarkable
stiffness prevailed. Their countenances,
however, reflected the light of firm deter
mination, although the mouths did not
speak of it.
The grating over the hatchways was
fastened by this time, with the exception
of small opening aft, through which the
few permitted to remain upon the spar
deck. we're passing up and down. We
were going at the rate of about four knots
an hour. The little craft before and be-
hind us woro vigorously plowing the water
with their blunt bows, keeping well in
line. Nearer and nearer did we approach.
Clearer and clearer became the line of the
rebel defences. Already We can count the
guns on Fort Wagner, (the work next to
|
Morris lighthouse) and Cummings Point,
and the windows of ST. Vincent and Moul-
trieville. At 2:25 the first signs of the
afterward fatal difficulty of steering the
ship in tideway became manifest. The
boat swung on the port side, and it was
necessary to stop her engine to steady her
course. In few minutes we were again
in motion.
The first four monitors had already
passed Fort Wagner, and We were now
abreast of it. We can look into the very
mouths of the guns, but they remain 81
lent. We know not what to make of it.
Ahead We steam, anxiously awaiting the
reports of the first gun. At last, about 8