The National tribune., 1883-09-27
FORT WAGNER AGAIN.
Seventh Connecticut Veterans Story of tine
Assault

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
] find in your issue OF September 6 q letter
from Conlratie ". IL. Knox, company G, SeV-
enty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers,
III regard TO the siege Of Morris Island. / re-
member something OF the affair, as ] was par
ticipant in the grand failure. On the 18th of
July, 1863, at 3 M, the long-roli sounded, and
into line we fell and orders were given that
Fort Wagner was to be stormed and that tine
Seventh Connecticut volunteer regiment was
to do the storIning work, the regiment con-
sistiag at that time of only four companies,
commanded by Major RodInan and Numbering
in all cniy one hundred and ninety three men
The order was given to forward, and UP the sea-
beach we quietly marched. The tide was out
at this time, making it good marching for u.s.
AS we drew nearer the fort the dogs set up
their usual alarm, and soon we saw the rebel
videttes fan back without firing until they
reached the cover Of the fort. When we had ad-
vaneed far enough within thirty rods, we
drew up in line OF battle, formed and came to
halt for orders. Atthis moment General Strong
rode up in our front to give US orders for the
deadly work which was before us. And it was
this that our four companies were to do at the
storming of Fort Wagner: keep the gunners
from their guns while our support was advanc-
ing to our aid Major Rodmsn replied for rs
that we would go anywhere we were ordered
if we could have good support The General
regiments in the department-tbe Seventy
sixth Pennsylvania volunteer regiment and
Ninth Maine regiment. General Strong thep
went to the rear to give his orders to the sup
port, and Major k0dman ordered us forward
at right 0blique, SO as TO bring Us directly in
front OF Fort Wagner. AT the order to fer
ward the rebs opened fire with grape and canis-
ter, but our companies were close TO the fort it
passed over cur heads with but few exceptions,
sweeping through the ranks OF our support. On
we went, down the ditch and up on tothe fort,
and began firing upon tie gurners inside, but
the fort being so large and our party so small
we could not keep them from all of their guns,
and they retained control of one ditch howitzer
and one columbiad gun, with which they played
upon our support. We had been on the fort
but a few moments when Major Rodnan
! gave orders 10 retreat declaring that our sup
| port had broken and left US. At that time We
could just them in the far distance, scatter
| ing like sheep without d shepherd At this said
| to my captain, who had stood close by me on the
| fort, that was one who would go; and his reply
| was that | never could get away that / might
as we'll surrender. reptEd that would obey
an order to retreat as wen as to advance. So
down the ditch went, and off the best | could,
amid grape, canister, and muSketry, escaping
all, and when had gone about quarter OF a
mile voice which / recognized as that of Com
rade George o. Chamberlain, OF my company,
hailed me: For Gods sake, help me OF the
/ field, Eaton?' Ireplied 10 him that it would be
of no use, as both of us would be shot or taken,
but he pleaded so earnestly that consented.
He soon tainted, but | reached my canteen
around and gave him q drink OF water, which
revived him; so on we went until we were clear
out of danger and had helped my comrade to
the hospital. / am unable to give correct
| statement as to how many of our sterming
party escaped, but the greater part of my COM
pany, with our captain and lieutenant. were
taken prisoners, and were not released fer over
two years. Nejtherthe Seventy y-sixtb regiment,
| Pennsylvania volunteers, nor the Ninth Maine
regiment ever reached Fort Wagner in that
charge l do not doubt but that they lost the
number they claim, but it WAS in the rear
not on the fort-that this number was lost
| GILBfRr EATON,
1st Sergt., Co. K, 7th Conn. Vols.
GIIDDEN Ca RRDII Co Iowa