The National tribune., 1883-10-25
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
The Assault on Fcrt Wagner.

The Assault on Fcrt Wagner.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Wiz you grant the favor of giving in your
paper the official report of the battle on Morris
Island, July il, 1862
In your issue of September 6, 1888, Coulrade
Knox. of the Seventy sixth Pennsylvania regi-
ment. says, quoting his words: !. 1t was my
regiment that made the first charge on the
batteries on the south end Of Morris Island and
alone scaled the parapets OF Fort Wagner on
July IL. 1868, at 4 a. M lie may be right rs
To the loss In his regiment BE also Says that
the Ninth Maine was with them until they
reached the battery. but did not participate in
the charge. The facts are that the Ninth
Maine. with the SeveRty-sixth Pennsylvania
volunteers. was detailed TO support the bat
TALON 6f the Seventh Connecticut volunteers.
The following is the official report of the battle
made to headquarters by Captain S. ii. Gray,
commanding battalion Seventh Connecticut
volunteers:
CAMP RoDxAS.
sToRTsIs ISLAND. : c., July IS. 1868.
JOSEPH r. HAwElEY. Colonel, commanding sew
cnth Connecticut Vols, ST. Augustine, Florida
DEAR SIR. on July il, 1863. this battalion re-
ceived orders TO take the lead In an assault on
Fort Wagner, supported by the SeFeniy-sizth
lently and quietly we moved UP TO the advance
line OF our picSets. Our pieces were loaded and
rrned and bayonets fixed. We were then de-
pioyed into line OF battle, I'VE had I9i men and
officers ali told, and we reached and crossed the
neck ofilBd tbai approached the fort on right,
resting the beach. General Strong was there;
he said there but three gums that looked that
way. We were deployed and ready for the start.
Our orders 20 steadily forward until the
piclcts fired and then follow them closely and rush
1or the works. and were promised ready sup
port General Strong gave the orders Aim low.
and put your trust IN God; forward the SEVENTH
and forward Went-nOt over 500 yards from the
fort where We started We had not proceeded far
before the pickets fired, and then we took the
dOuble-qIick and rushed for the works. Before
we reached the outer works we got a numerous
fire from the riiiemen behind the works A few fell;
there check IN The line; encouraging word
Rom The officers tthes were All there-eleNen Ia
all-no sick ones and right CALAMITY reached
the outer works. OFer them with a VIII went,
down the opposite side and across the noat there
being about one foot of water in the moatl, right
up 20 the crest of the psTapet and there we lay
an1iously waiting for support 10 come up so
far to make thing for TO rise up and
go over with q bound our men IN the meantime
busying themselves picking of sharpshooters and
RunnerS. We lay near the top that one had but
20 put his head and gun up across the top OF the
paraIei TO XIII hls man. Many cases oi individual
bravery might here name bat al did well that
IL / hard to select Private Lyons, of company X,
jumped npon the Parapet thrust his bayonei into the
head OF the chief gamer Il have s5nce learned that
he ftain and died from his wounds. VINO
about 10 Gre. and fred has gun Al the same time
COrperal James OF company ]. thrust las bayonet
into the head of one Of the nnners and broke il off
in endeav0ring 10 pull il out. And quite number
were made 10 bite the dust while we occupied this
position. said to man my rissht.-WTn.
DE Witt. Of company A." Rise and shoot that
gunner. lie rose. deliberately took good aim and
fired A bal at the same instant hit him in the
forehead, and be feil on tie spot with his gun
across the paral3et.
As near IS can ascertain we were in this posi-
tion from 10 fifteen minutes when both OF the
regiments that we've TO support US broke and fled,
leaving to take Of ourselves best
might When first moved 10 the right and
went up to the waterfront there were no Hifiemen
Thus Tor time had II all our way, bu: IT
was OF short duration. As soon as the regiments
ton 30 our case They threw hand grenades over
the paTapet. and soon sent men into the flank Of q
bastjon which commanded the front upon which
we lay. They had us then 81 great di5ad vantage.
The question was whether we should surrender as
prisoners atte1npt TO carry the works and be
t1rssly annihIiated las they greatly outnurabered
us, or take the back track and run the gauntlet for
our lives. Upon consulting the colonel. he reiue-
family gave the order retreat. As il by magic
she order WIS recalled, and although some had
started they returned. But the order had to be
repeated; and down we went across the rnoat
and over the works They had a perfect enfiIading
fre Of srlail-arnns for a thousand yards, besides
three pieces giving grape and canister They
fell on al sides Of me-znd alone Of the four cap
tains spared: and out OF ISL officers and men
that marched out TO attack the foe bat IS returned
safe camp. And ever let Il be said To the credit
OF the Seventh regiment OF Connecticut volunteers
that not one sfragler could be discovered. Fifteen
minutes aer arriving in camp roll called and
but one man came after and he was DELAYED in
Assisting wounded c0Inradc. Lieutena1t-C Colonel
Rodman was struck first IN The side. then I'D the
the fort. Lieutenant Green went TO his assistance
at the time he received his first wound. and after
going about two rods he was shot IN the leg I
saw HIM when be fell, but others went 70 his
help Alter had gone short ways could not
bear the thought Of leaving the colonel and re-
turned to his assistance. and did not leave him
until saw him safe in camp.
] met General Strong coming of. and, with tears
IN ms eyes. he SAID we had done our whole duty
and covered ourselves al over with glory and If
the support had come To time that should have
taken the works. should without doubt
But our loss l. great. We Lad eleven officers in
our mess; now we have but four II l. hard but
such is the i1.te Of war. Your obeaient servant
CART. s. II. GRAY,
Commanding Battalion 7fh Conn. Vols
Official: Ira T. HICKS. Acting AdjutAnt.
The foregoing is a true copy OF the original
report Of the battle to headquarters.
Yours, respectfully.
Ira K. HICKS,
9TH Conn. Vols
TIE 6TH CoEsFcTTcTsT's vALoR