The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-14
The 10Th Pa. at Fort Wagner.

To THE EDITOR: On the evening of the Sth
of July, 1863, the 10Th Pa, with the rest of the
brigade commanded by Gen. Strong, embarked
from the northern part of Folly Island in gun
boats, but for some cause had to disembark and
march back to quarters, two miles distant, ar
irving at daylight There we lay until even
ing, when we marched back and embarked for
the second time. Our boats kept towing about
until daylight, when we reached Lighthouse
Inlet. We noticed the fagman on the Signal
Station engaged in sending orders, which were
shortly carried into effect by the booming of
cannon. The rebels were greatly surprised, as
the salute was one they did not expect. Our
feet kept towing down the inlet to effect a
landing, which was done under a severe fire
from the rebels. One Of the boats, think of
Connecticut regiment, was cut in two by a
cannon ball, which took off the legs of one of
the men; the others were soon seen struggling
in the water and all were rescued.
In making the landing we jumped into mud
and water waist deep and waded to land, storm
ing the Confederate rihe-pits and fort, captur-
ing nine guns, camp equipage, and over 200
prisoners. Quite a number were killed and
wounded. ANY of the old comrades reading
this will remember, when formed in line after
disembarking, seeing Gen. Strong walking on
one of the rife-pts, with bare head, minus
one boot, and in his shirt sleeves, pointing to-
ward the rebel fort and shouting, Come on
boys the day is ours!"
After capturing the fort, we were marched
out on the beach toward Fort Wagner, on the
north end of the island. Fort Sumter threw
over into our midst solid shot, which caused
every man to have his eyes fixed toward the
fort, and it was really a grand sight to behold
As the balls came bounding among us the men
would separate and the balls skip off into the
Atlantic. The men would close up and march
forward as steady as if nothing had happened
Not man was injured, / believe,
We lay all day in the broilng sun. 1t was
cool at night and we were in a shivering con
| dition until nearly daylight, when we were Or
| dered to fall into line and charge Fort Wagner
| 1t was stated at the time that Gen. Strong
| asked leave after having taken the lower end
of the island, to march on up and storm the
fort, which Gen. Gilmore would not grant, a:
| he thought the men were too much fatigued
| and were not in fit condition to undertake the
perilous task. Gen. Strong then asked to lei
the Second Brigade go, as it had as yet not beer
engaged. Gilmore refused, but waited unit
the next morning, giving the rebels plenty o
time to REINFORCE and complete arrangement
for the attack, which they knew would come
The result was a costly and fearful failure.
The charge of the 18th was another blunder
equally as bad as the former. Thirteen regi
ments were sent into death and destruction fo
naught. About / 600 men were killed, wound
ed, and captured. Among the number wer
| some of the best of the land. Out of our com
pany 80 were either killed, wounded, or miss
ing in these useless engagements. Gen. Stron;
was wounded about three feet from me, jus
after he had told one of his Aids to order a re
treat, as the destruction of life was too great t.
justify remaining there. believe that there
was not another place during the war that wa
so hot and the destruction SO great, in the sam
time and for the number engaged, as was thi
charge on Fort Wagner.-JOHN WEIGEL, Co
A, 10th Pa, Zelienople, Butler Co., Pa.