The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-12-19
Detroit Free Press.

pounding. 1t has ever seemed strange
that the Confedera,es were not ON the
wa ch for and fully prepared for suchsa
move, hut it was doubtless believed that
Fort Wagner was the key to the situa-
ton, aud that the Federals could not
maintain themselves anywhere within
reach OF it's guns. On the other hand,
Gilmore looked upon Wagner as work
which might be taken bv dash. and the
erroneous impression by friend and foe
resulted in some terrible blunders and
bloody bu'cheries.
| THE FIRST ATTACK.
The FIRST attack on Wagner was made
on the night OF July 10, 1858. On the
previous day and night a command con.
sisting Of the Seventy.sixth PenLsylvs.
MIA, the Ninth Maine and two companies
OF the Seventh Connecticut had by 6
sudden attack in boats captured severa
detached batteries within easy range oi
the fort, and had won such an easy vic.
tory that Gen. Strong, who was In com
mand, determined to make push fol
the fort itself, believing the Confederates
to be disorganized and panic stricken by
what had occurred. Instead of being in
this condition they were prepared to
move out at daylight and attack. Gen
Strong looked upon Wagner as sand.
heap which could offer but feeble resist.
ance to q rush, while in truth It was one
Of the strongest forts around Charles.
ton.
THE RUSH.
An hour before daylight the Fedora
troops moved out, the companies from
the Seventh Connecticut leading. The
only way 10 take the fort was to go ovel
the psrapet, and Gen Strong must have
counted on the garrison being sound
asleep to permit such rush to be sue,
eessful. The garrison was not only
awake, hnt under arms, and had at leas
ten minutes warning, The Federal'
came with gallant rush, and, unchecked
by volley which killed thirty men out.
right, dashed through the most and uI
the parapet, and lay down Just belo " The
crest. Had there been 1000 men instead
of It's, the force would have Ieaped the
psrapet and attacked the garrison, bu
such small body of men had no alter
native but to wait until the other troop:
came up to reinforce them.
INA TRAP.
The two Federal regiments moved W
so slowly that the Confederates had time
to get every man N line and posted to
the best advantage The fight was short
sharp and bloody. The two regiment:
had more than they could do to hold the
first position taken, saying nothing o
going to the aid OF the Conn c,icut mer
on the psrapet, who were bravely hold.
ing the line and popping away at the
garrison. At the end of fifteen minutes
lighting the two regiments began to wa.
yer. Then dHzen voices cried out
"We are IN q trap!" and hundred more
cried, Retreat" Every soldier must
have realized from the first that there
was no show to carry the fort, and i,
was a wonder that the men held the po
sition as long as they did. When thew
started to retreat 1t was helter ekelter
and no one seemed 10 remember tht
brave little command waiting on the par.
apet to be reinforced or rescued.
SLAUGHTER.
The action of that small command
| from the Seventh Connecticut was Ons
of the bravest things of war. To gair
the parapet they dashed through fr,
which would have thrown q full regi
ment into confusion, ard as the mer
CT r,uched on the sand each one begar
lighting on his own hook. There wa'
no confusion until it was discovered tba
the supporting regiments had been driver
hack. Then the Confederates devoted
their whole attention to the handful o
men clinging to the parapet, AMI in thre,
or four minutes their position was un
tenable. Lighted shells were tossed owe
by hand. hand grenades used withou
stint, and flank FIRE opened with mus
kerry, and it was either retreat or b.
slaughtered in line. Word was passet
to retreat, and those who ran the gannt
let in safety looked upon their escape q
miraculous. A fire of shot, shell, grape
canister and musketry followed them 70
half mile, and the sandy beach offere'
no protection. The loss was frightfu1
Only q fraction over half the Connect
cut men came out alive, while the othe
regiments we're terribly cut up withou
having infected the least loss ON the en-
envy. The Confederate loss did not ex
c. e % killed and dozeE wounded Blu
for Strong's rash move at the time a
attack. three or four nights later, by
heavier force. might have been success
iul. This attack called for large 10
crease of the garrison and other step
which contributed to still create
slaughter when next attacked.
rHE SECOND ATTACK.
Between the llth and 18th OF Jul
the Confederates strengthened Fort Wae
ner as far as was possible. and Iargel
increased the garrison, having discover
ed that Gilmore desired to 60 to Charles
ton bv way OF Morris Island. Up t
the 1lth Wagner had given no though
, to the iron clads which had sent her
shot now and then as they poured de
E struction into Sumter. After the igh
of the llth q Federal deserter gave tn
exact number Of Gilmore's forces an
r information of what works he had throw
E up. He had made permanent lodge
e ment on the island, was heavily intrenct
: ing, and there was reason 10 believe th
I iroD-clads would be called upon to bes
8 hand in the next assault. Fully 80
men were employed during the next tiv
days IN making Fo,t Wagner ready fc
e bombardmeut as well as assault, and
2 was perfectly prepared when the tin
; came.