Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-09-14
MoRRIs ISLAND, 8. @,
SUHDAY, September G, 1863

nifty yards OF GTegg had been gained, when
unfortunately a naval boat commanded by
Lieutenant Higginson, which was on its
way to report to Major Sanford, intercept
ed rebel craft containing wounded Ma
jOr, an Assistant Surgeon and eleven oars
men, going from Gregg to Charleston. The
boat had proceeded but a short distance
from the beach when it was discovered by
Lieutenant HigginsOn, who Immediately
gave cbsse and captured it,, but not until
he had fred, without effect, some fifteen
rounds Of mdsket shot. Orders had been
issued to the command to intercept all
transports carrying relief OF supplies TO
Gregg, it not being anticipated such worth
less game as that encountered would be on
the road. As it was, however, all would
have been we'll il the musket firing had
not alarmed the enemy in the forts and put
him on the qli Uips for what might trans
pire. 1t was evident from the numerous
signals exhibited and exchanged that he
understood what was going on, and it was
deemed prudent by Major Sanford to aban-
don the enterprise that night and return
to the place from which the boats were
launched. He and his men returned safe
ly to camp at about midnight, bringing
with them the thirteen prisoners, including
the two officers mentioned.
Possessed with determination to carry
out his plans, the gallant Msior, still un-
daunted and ssDguine, asked permission TO
renew the attempt on the following night
last night. His request was granted,
and again he selected a force of 275 men
from the Eighty-ffth and One Hundred
and Fourth Pennsylvania, One Hundredth
New York and Third New Hampshire Regi-
ments. This time only sixteen boats were
taken, the other four used on the preceding
night having been emitted for service. It
was designed during the day to make the
expedition one Of more import than that
assigned to the affair Of Friday night, but
for some reason the original plan was laid
aside and the project circumscribed to the
spiking Of the guns on Gregg and the ex-
plosion of the ms9azine. The necessary
implements for doing the work we're judio-
iously distributed among the men, and
shortly after dark away they went up the
creek to the bay. They were not discover
ed until the boats had got to within twenty
five yards, of Gregg. Then the sentinel
at once gaze the alarm, and in a few min
utes the rebels let fly voiley Of musketry
from about twenty pieces. They also fired
from howitzer, but the depression was
Imperfect in consequence Of the short
range, as the contents Of canister passed
hsrmlessly over the heads of the men.
Now came the time for the boats crews to
spring to action. Major Sanford gave the
command for the men to forward and beach
their boats. Four boats, in one Of which
was himself, were already nearly launched,
but as fate would have it. the Oarsmen in
the remaining boats became frightened,
and sort Of panic ensued, which the con-
duct Of certain naval officer, who persist
ed that Major Sanford had touched at the
wrong place, and otherwise showed his
cOwardice, did not in the least allay. The
shells passing to and fro between our bat
teries and James Island, and directly over
the heads Of the men in the boats, although
st tremendous elevation, served to make
hem qusver; and when they came TO face
The muse st Gregg, their imaginations
got the best Of their Talor. The
fault, perhaps, was more with the officers
han the men. Had the several officers fol-
lowed the example Of Major Sanford, and
properly encouraged their commands. the
men would probably have lesped forward
with q cheer, and performed their duty
ike heroes. But when the officers tremble,
who can blame the men for showing signs
If weakness So the second time the ex-
petition returned, having accomplished |
lsthing, and sustaining a loss Of four men |
wounded. Lieutenant Higginson, who had |
'harge OF the naval howitzers, proved him
eli equal to the emergency. He perform
ID his part valiantly and we'll
On Saturday morning at day ybreak, Gen.
raj Gilmore commenced the work of /
Wagner. With this view all the
leaVy guns were turned upon that point.
The lronsides and two monitors also took |
art in the engagement so that when the
and batteries slackened fire, heiron-clads
we're ready to continue the work. In this
manner, the army and navy alternating
t intervals, the cannonading was kept uo
With relentless fury till night when sufi-
lent firing was maintained to prevent
he rebels repairing injuries. Sumter and
IL other rebel works were out Of the pro-
ramme. The fire, hot rapid and destruc-
i've, was concentrated on the devoted head
! Wagner. Every shot appeared to tell.
he amount Of metal thrown into Wagner
esterday was enormous. Great volumes
sand rose and enFeloped the fort at each
and holes large enough to admit
n OK team were continually being bored
nd filed up again. Heaps Of sand were
rst knocked on one side by the land bat
cries, and then knocked back again by
he navy. A more perfect game of shuttle
Dcks was never plsyed. To attempt IN
er such q storm Of iron, to even sight q
IN would have been considered a freak
lid enough to appall a msd-man. The
nalest human being ever made could not
ave been stored in any portion Of the fort
inside the bomb-prOOf without being hit
ozens Of times. The lines of the fort are
} disfeursd that the best engineers would
, puzzled to define the original shape
tthout the aid Of previous knowledge.
oW many feet of sand cover the
ms Of the fort il would be impossible !
estimate. Once or twice during the I
y the muzzle Of gun was exposed TO
eW by means Of q shot that threw aside {
e earth, and then, like drowning man
the last moment, disappeared beneath {
70 sUrging Bea Of sand. A shot struok /
le gun so ss TO set il up on end, and the
'xt sent it flying heels over head, nobody }
lows where. Eight feet Of protection,
cording to the opinion Of Colonel Turner,
e chief artillery officer, was removed
ON the bOmb-prOof at 7 P. II. Every
ing that is done now is clear gain. The =
bel have more than they want to do to take !
re Of their own persons, without think
g Of patching up damages.
From daylight yesterday morning till
is ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
s been progressing with unheard-of .,
gor. For three hours to-day all six Of q