Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-09-06

and they had turned out for roll-call, when
our shot and shell went tearing through their
ranks. Officers and men we're killed before
they had time to dress. The iron-clads cross.
ed the bar at daylight, and after we had ct:
fected landing, they moved up and rolled
their ponderous shells over the island. AT
the Beacon House our troops came within
reach of the guns of Wagner, when halt was
made, and some intrenchments thrown up.
The day was intensely hot, and the troops
we're completely prostrated. Our loss was
small. Thus had Gen. Gilmore redeemed
his pledge. At this period in the operations
a fatal mistake was made. Fort Wagner
should have been Immediately assailed, and
would then have fallen into our hands with
out much opposition. The assault was de.
layed until the next day, when we were re-
pulsed with considerable loss. While these
operations were going on, division of troops
was sent over to James Island to engage the
enemy's attention in that direction, where a
spirited action was fought on the 10th Of July,
in which the Federal forces were victorious.
The failure of the attack on the 18th salts
fed Gen. Gilmore that siege operations must
be commenced against Wagner. Ground was
broken on the nj ght of the 18th, and the work
was pushed with such vigor that the first par.
allel, at the distance of thirteen hundred and
fifty yards, was completed on the 18th. 1t
mounted twenty-five rifed guns and mortars.
An assault was arranged for twilight the next
evening, and two additional brigades were
added to our forces. During the day our
batteries, in conjunction with the navy, kept
up warm cannonade on the fort, and by 4
P. NJ. the enemy's guns were silenced. The
troops chosen for the assault were the brigades
of Seymour, Strong and Putnam, the whole
under command of Gen. Seymour. They
moved up the beach about sundown, and ad'
vanced upon the work in deployed lines. At
the distance of nearly mile the enemy OPEN
ed upon them with shot and shell, which they
changed to grape, canister and musketry, at
closer range. The troops steadily advanced
in spite of this iron and leaden hail, with
scores of men falling, killed and wounded, at
every step. A portion Of them reached the
ditch and mounted the parapet, and seized
and held that part of the work near the sa-
lient point some time, but after fierce strug-
gle for the mastery were compelled to retire,
leaving the killed and wounded in the hands
of the enemy. The assault was bravely made,
and the repulse bloody. Our loss footed up
1917. The attack was direct one, the stu.
alton of the work being such that no feint or
diversion could be made. The guns of the enc
my swept every foot of the ground our men
marched over. When they left the ditch for
the parapet they were met by the bayonet,
and nearly every other missile and weapon
that is used on such occasions. The gunners
were driven from the curtain, and many Of
the garrison sought safety in the bomb-proof
The fort was within an ace of being ours, but
we were driven back. There comes the old
story that somebody failed to support the ad-
vance at the proper time, but here the respon'
bility ends