The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-11-07


running by the works on Sulliyaas Island.
The first point was effected bT the diversion
made on the Stono, which drew off half the enc
mys forces from Morris Island, tad rendered its
capture by surprise comparatively 5loodless. This
was done July 10th. +
1t is known that two assaults IN Fort Wagner
were unsuccessful though the tr,ops making it
were on the brink OF. .effecting thcy object These
failures led to modification ofsyseneral Gull
MoRE's plan which was to effect sJ reduction or
demolition of Fort Sumter, from wn,ch ON annoy
ing fi1e was kept up on his trenches over Fort
Wagner before advancing on the-iatter work, tho
fire of which he expected to keep down from de-
structive effects by his mortar batteries and the
iron-clads of the Navy.
Having effected this important object, the ap-
proaches and other works against Fort Wagner
were moro easily pushed forward Armed with
seventeen heavy guns, well fankel, with wet
ditch bomb;proof for its garrison that resisted
the heaviest shells, approachable only in front
over the narrow sand ridge which narrows down
to 25 yards in width just in front of the work,
guarded on the east by the sea and on the west
by Vincent's Creek and the marsh from surprise,
seen in reverse by Battery Gregg and thirty guns
on Sullivans Island, in flank by the batteries on
James Island; whilst all the ground in advance
of it is swept at one point or another by all its
guns, more difficult problem has seldom, if ever,
than its reduction certainly none in modern
times.
In spite of these obstacles in spite of the shift
ing sand under him, over which the tide swept
more than once during his advances in spite Of
the succor and relief of the garrison from Charles
ton with which their communications were free,
General G1LIMoEE addressed himself to his task
with that preparedness for every eventuality and
that tenacity which are characteristic traits Of his
character.
The first parallel and the batteries in it were
ready on July 18th, and the fire was opened at
$50 Yards several hours prior to the assault on
that day. The second parallel was opened by the
flying sap on the 23d July at $50 yards from the
Fort, was made the principal defensive line was
we'll secured from sorties, and contained the
preaching batteries afterwards used against Sum-
ter. The third parallel at $50 yards, was made
by the flying sap also, on August 9th, and beyond
this point the trenches were sometimes pushed
forward by the flying sap, sometimes by the full
sap, rs opportunity demanded. The fourth par
aliel. at about 800 yards, was made on the 22d
and 22d August. The fifth parallel, at 200 yards,
on ridge wrested from the enemy, August 26th.
Beyond this point the approaches were simply
zirZags, making very acute angles with each
other, as there was not front enough for parallel
In this emergency new means and redoubled
efforts were called for, and General GILMORE was
equal to it. He moved TO the slront an ms nSnt
mortars, enlarged the positions for his sharp
shooters obtained the cooperation OF the lonS'des
by day, used powerful calcium lights to blind the
enemy by night, opened fire with as many heavy
guns to his rear as he could without danger to his
men in the trenches, thus essaying to keep the
garrison confined to their bomb-proof and to
breach this through breach in the work. These
measures were inaugurated on the morning OF
September 5th, and for forty-two hours one who
was present writes "The spectacle was magnif-
Gently grand oven sublime" The Fort was
silent. The garrison were immured in their bomb
nroof. and the work went on in safety except from
the batteries on James Island. The men moved
about in the trenches even sat on their parapets,
and hunted torpedoes, ct which they had become
as sklful as rat-catchers at scenting out rathoes
The counterscarp of the work was crowned on the
NIGHT of September 9th, and some formidable OBJ
structions in the ditch removed. All being now
roody for on assault tho order for it was givon