The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-06-24
NO. 49,.

the unprotected garrison, or the more
welcome rain and storm wet them to
the skin. An intolcrable stencil from
the uncarthed dead Of the previous con-
fiict, the carcasses of cavalry horses ly-
ing where they fell in the rear, and bar
rcls of putrid meat thrown out on the
beach, sickened the defenders. A large
and brilliantly colored fly, attracted by
the feast, and uscen before, inflicted
wounds more painful, though less dan
gcrous, than the shot of the enemy.
Water was scarcer than whiskey. The
food, however good when it started for
its destination, by exposure, first on the
wharf in Charleston, then on the beach
at Cummings Point, being often forty
eight hours in transitu, was unfit to eat.
The unventilated bomb-proofs, filled
with smoke of lamps and smell Of blood,
were intolcruble, SO that one endured tho
risk of shot and shell rather than seek
its shelter.
The inccssant din Of it's own artillery.
as we'll as the bursting shells Of the foe
prevented sleep. Then, rs never be-
fore, all realized the force Of prophecy
"ln the morning thou shalt say,
would God it were even! and at even
thou shalt sny, would God it were morn
ing for the fear of thine eyes, where
with thou Shalt fear, and for the sight
of thine eyes which thou shalt sce."
The casualties were not numerous.
and yet each day added to the list of
killed and wounded. Amputated limbs
were brought out from the hospital and
buried in the sand. Often bodies follow
cd them. Only as a special favor or
where high rank claimed the privilege.
were the dead carried to the city for in
terment There we're few in the battery
who could not tell some narrow escape.
where movement Of position only had
saved life. Ner can we specify the in
stances Of personal heroism, where all
were brave so often was the flag rcscu-
cd and rcmounted, that orders were is
sued by the commanding general forbid
ding it; flags were many, but men were
few. Thus the days heightened into
weeks. the weeks into months, while
its brave and patient defenders individu-
ally stood fnce to face with death, and en-
dured in many instances whnt xas worse.
Nor was the garrison inactive. For
the blows received, blows were given.
Scveral monitors retired worsted from
the encounter, and were not seen again.
Explosions in the advancing works OF
the enemy showed accuracy of tho Con-
federate fire whilo every night through
the weary hours lcngthing into new
days their working parties swarrned
over the fort to repair the damage done
to bomb-proof, parapet and traverses.
Fighting from early morn to set of sun,
and working through the livelong night,
comprised their sum of live and daily
experience.
1t was not possible for human endur-
ance to stand this mental and physical
strain long. AS each. command became
exhausted it was relieved and fresh
troops took their place. Six days was
the longest period Of any command tho
infantry served only three days at
timc. And no greater proof can be had
Of their courage and devotion than that,
with personal knowledge Of the perilous
nature OF the service, the same COM
mands returned time and again, with
full ranks and even greater "esprit de
co'ps," as the fierce struggle grew more
intense.
FIRST ASSAULT ON GRaGd.
On.thc 25th Of August an attempt was
made to carry Cummings Point from
Vincants Creek. Lieut.. R. C. Gilchrist
was then in command Of Battery Gregg,
with the Gist Guard Artillery and Com
pany c Of Lucas Battalion of Artillery
as its garrison. BY some means the
Federal signal code had been obtained,
so the messages passing between the
fleet and shore could be read. By this
means the Confeaerates were informed
OF the contemplated attack that night:
further confirmed by the vigorous she'll
ing of Battery Gregg all that day, dur
ing which heavy traverse caved in, FL
ling up the gun chamber and burying
the gunners Of Company G, Lucas Bat
talon. A volunteer party headed by
Scrgt. Brown of the Marion Artillery.
flew to the rescue Of their comrades and
dug them out while exposed to . con-
ccntrated fire Of artillery and sharp
shooters, but not before two wore dead.
The guns Of Battery Gregg were trained
to sweep the creek just beyond the
shore. A select picket force was sta-
toned to watch for the approach of the
barges. About midnight the posphore-
scent light made by the splash of puf-
fed oars alone revealed their presence.