Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-27

mort followed one another in quick sue
eession along our lines. Huge shells rose
In air. traversing the heavens in psrabolic
curves, as they rushed with immense speed
from the mortsFs, reached the zenith OF
their flight, and then descended with &C.
CELEBRATED velocity upon Wagner, and ex-
pioded into fragments with lightning
like CLEAN Of fire. Wagner, Johnson,
Gregg snd Sumter were now in full play,
their shells crossing each others tracks Of
broken light, and bursting with sharp re-
port over our lines, filling the air with the
hum Of flying fragments. Great rife pro-
iectiles howled along, and grape and can
lister whistled their horrible chorus. Ger
tsinlv the scene was as terrific as it was
magnifcently grand, and well worth the
loss Of o nights rest to witness, One of
the Monitors added the thunder of her
fifteen inch guns to the general uproar,
and finally quieted the too energetic fire
of Wagner-whioh supplied our troops
quite too literally with grape for comfort
by the seductive power Of her fifteen
inch shell. The ferceness Of the cannon
aiding did not perceptively diminish until
day broke, when gun after gun became 81
lent, Sumter wrapped herself up in her
garb of reserve, vnd was quiet, Gregg be
came taciturD, and only johnson and
Wagner broke the stiffness by an occa-
sionsl discharge of mortars and our tired
artillerists took to their bomb proofs, and
slept as quietly as they would in their own
Northern homes.
DEATH OF COMMODORE GEORGE W. RODGERS.
During the action this morning the ad
miraFs vesseI-the Weehawken-changed
her position and look up another closer to
Fort Wagner, where more serious dana
ges could be inflicted upon the rebels.
Captain Rodgers, chief of the Admiral 8
staff at his own earnest request, had been
permitted to take the command of his ves-
sci, the Catskill, for this engagement only
rs he intended hereafter to accompany the
admiral wherever he carried his flag
Captain Rodgers had anchored his vessel
closely to the Weehawken, and bad made
some splendid shots, sustaining his ire
through the engagement finely. When
the Weehswken changed her position, Cap
tain Rodgers moxed the Cstskill also, and
to position inside the flagship on her
post quarter. The Catskill had not been
here long before she was observed to gel
underWeigh and stand out for action. HeI
movements wese regarded as very singu.
lar, and it was remarked that something
serious had occurred or Captain Rodgers
would not withdraw from the action. After
she had got some distance she hoisted the
signal, rCommandeI disabled" but it was
not known for some time that Captain
Rodgers had been killed. It seems tha
Captain Rodgers, Paymaster Woodbury., q
paymaster's mate and one other were in
the pilot house, when it was struck by 6
rebel shell from Fort Wagner at close
range, which shattered some plates and
drove them with crashing and deadly ef
feet upon their heads. Captain Rodgers
and Psymaster Woodbury. were instantly
killed, their heads being terribly crushed
by the flying plates. The two other Occu-
pants of the pilot house were badly injnr-
ed but not mOrtally. As soon as possible
the remains ofthe gallant commander and
his paymaster, and the wounded men Wert
removed and the Catskill was brOuhht ou
of the action by Lieutenant Carpenter, and
the remains sent on board the flagship
where they were suitably attended to.
Captain Rodgers, temporarily acting 81
Chief of Admiral Dahlgren's staff, wal
one of the most gallant and valuable off
GERS in the service. Possessed of the fines
scientific attainments, of wide experience
and skillful in his profession as brave 81
he was chivalrous, he combined all the
best and most noble qualities of high,
toned Christian gentleman and officer. =
None ever knew him guilty of mean, dis
honorable action, but ever found him no.
BILE and true. Socially he was one of the
most genial and elegant men have evel
met. He was quiet and unostentatious
and wore his honOrs modestly and becom-
ingly.