The National tribune., 1886-03-04

in the mui. Sometimes the gun-carriages
would slip off the causeway and sink TO their
hubs, causing great delay and requiring the
most hercnltan efforts in prying them out. But
all obstacles were overcome. and on the MORN
ing of Feb. II the platforms were laid and SIX
pieces of cannon were mounted, commanding
the Savannah River. On Feb. three rebel
gGnboats came down the Savannah River and
opened fire on the battery, about one mile DIS
tant. Battery Vulcan, rs it was called, re-
turned The fire. One Of the vessels was struck,
and the others withdrew and returned to Sa-
vannah.
Another battery. named Hamilton, was con-
structed on Bird Island, in the Savannah River,
nearly opposite Battery Vulcan, on Jones S
Island and mounted six guns, five OF which
were rified cannon. This battery commanded
both channels of the Savannah River, and such
silence was preserved by the fatigue parties in
its construction that the enemys gunboats In
the river were not aware of the movement
until it was too late to prevent it.
This battery completed the investment Of
Fort Pulaski on the Savannah side. The COM
plete investment of the fort dates, however
from Feb % when battery of three guns was
constructed on Decent Island, commanding
Wilmington Narrows and LaZaretto Creek.
This was supported by two companies OF the
46th n. Y. A guard-boat, mounting navy g.
pounder, was posted considerably in the ad-
vance to intercept any messengers that might
l.
tion.
THE INVESTMENT.
The first vessel with ordnance and ordnance
stores arrived in Tybee Roads on Feb 21. The
forces then in front OF Pulaski consisted of the
9TH Conn, 46th \. Y, two companies of 1st n.
Y Engineers, and the two Rhode Island bat
teries. From that time until the 9th of April
the troops were engaged in landing ordnance,
ordnance stores, engineer material, ETC., making
fascines. gabions and roads, constructing gun
and mortar batteries, depot and service maga-
zines, and in building bonlb-proof shelters for
the cannoneers. Eleven batteries were con-
structed, mounting sc pieces of artillery of vari-
GUS caliber, consisting of heavy mortars Colum-
biads and James and Parrot rifles, as follows:
Battery Stanton, five 12-inch mortars CON-
manded by Capt. b. I. Skinner, 9TH Conn; Bat
terry Grant, three 12-inch mortars, by Capt.
Charles E. Palmer, 9TH Conn; Battery Lyon,
three I0-iuch Columbiads, Capt. l.. Ii. Pelouse,
18th U. s. Inf; Battery Lincoln, three S-inch
Columbiads Capt L. E. Tourtelotte Sd r. |.
Art; Battery Burnside, one 13-inch mortar,
Serg't James E. Wilson, u. S. Engineers; Bat
tery Sherman, three 13-inch mortars Capt. ID.
@. Francis 9Th Conn; Battery Haleck, two
13-inch mortars, Capt o. S. Sanford, 9TH Conn;
Battery Scott, three 10-inch mortars and one
S-inch Columbiad Capt. Pardue Mason, Sd &.
l. Art; Battery Sigel, five 30-pound PARROTS
and one 43-pouud James rife, Capt Seidenecb,
46th n Y; Battery Mcclellan, two 6l-pound
and two 6i-pound James rifles, Capt. Ii. Rogers,
Sd r. l. Art: Battery Totten, four 10inch siege
mortars, Capt. d. C. Rodman, Sd L. l. Art.
These batteries during the bomhardment of
the fort were worked continuously in three
reliefs
In addition to these batteries a large scow
had been brought around and through LaZaretto
Creek, Oh which was most effective battery of
rifed cannon. The honor of constructing the
batteries used in the reduction Of Fort Pulaski
is due to the 1st n. Y. Engineers, the battal
ion Of which was under the command of Lieut.
Col. James I. Hall. The 46th n. Y, 9TH Conn,
Sd R. /. Art, Sth Me. and 10th Pa. furnished
the fatigue PARTIES.
Lieut-Col Hall, Capts Graef and Sears. and
Lieuts. Dalrymple and Brooks of the Engineers,
and Maj. Beard, of the 48th n. Y, rendered
valuable assistance. The fatigue duty was ex
cessive, especially on Jones's and Bird Islands,
but il was in all cases most cheerfully per-
formed. Individual acts of heroism and personal
bravery were of daily occurrence. Nothing
seemed too hazardous to undertake or too diff
cult to perform.
THE SUMMONS.
On April orders were issued by Gen. Gill
more that the batteries established against
Fort Pulaski viii be manned and ready for
service at break Of day tomorrow, 10th inst"
Soon after daylight on the morning of the 1lth
Maj.-Gen David Hunter, who had on March
81 sacceetea Gen. Sherman in the command Of
the Department Of the South, dispatched Lieut..
James H. Wilson. Typographical Engineers. to
Fort Pulaski, bearing flag OF truce and the
following simmons TO surrender:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or TIE SOUTH.
TyBEE ISLAND, GA, April IL 1852.
To the Commanding Officer Fort Pulaski. Ga.
SIR: ] hereby demand of you the unconditional
surrender and restoration of Fort Pulaski TO the
authority aud possession OF the United States
This demand Is made with view to the ef-
fusion of bleed which must follow the lombard
n3ent and as atIit now In readiness TO be opened.
The number. caliber and completeness OF the bat
terics now surrounding you leave no doubt as TO
what must be the result in of your refusal and
as the deieiiee. however obstinate, mus eventually
succumk tO the assailing force at my disposal il is
hoped sat you may see fit TO avert the useless
waste of life.
This communication will be carried TO you, under
flag of truce by Lieut.. James H. Wilson, u ;. A.
aud military engineer. who Is authorized To wait
any period not exceeding 20 minutes for your an
swer.
/ have the hogor to be, sir, very respectfully,
your most obedient servant, DAVID HUNTER
Major-General commanding.
The reply OF the rebel commander at Fort
Pulaski was as follows:
HEADotARTERs FORT PULASKI April To- 1862.
MAy-GEN iUHTER, commanding e. ). forces Ty-
bee Island.
SIR: baye The honor to acE now the recent
of your communication OF this date demanding tie
unconditional surrender OF Fort Pulaski. In reply
can only say thar am here to defend the fort
not 10 surrender it.
have the honor TO be, very respectfully. your
oDeosent servant. CHARLES H. DLISTEAD,
Colonel, LIST Ga, Commanding Post.
TIE BoMBARDMENT.
The order was then given TO oDen fire, COM
mencing with The mortar batteries. The first
shell was fired about o'clock a. IN. from Bat
terry Haieck, ana the several batteries along
the line opened fire one after another. The
enemy followed this up snccessively with a
vigorous bat not very accurate fire. By
noon on he 10Th it became evident that the
work would be preached. By the aid Of a
powerful telescope it could be seen that the
rifle rToecliics were doing effective service.
As evening came objects were rendered indis-
tinct aud the firing ceased. with the exception
of two l3-!ncb m0rtaTs, one 10 inch mortar, and
one 3O-pouad Psrrott These were fired at fire.
guent intervals during the night From OBJ
seTyat0ns made during the afternoon it ap-
pearcd that some of the barbet guns Of the fort
had been disabled, and at least three Of the
casemate guns silenced. Thus far there had
been no casualties on our side
On the morning of the 1lth our batteries
again opened with decided effect, the fort
returning q wel-directed fire. By noon a
breach was discovered which rapidly enlarged,
and al O'Clock in the afternoon the fort hoist
ed the white flag. Shortly aiterward Gen.
Gilmore proceeded to the fort with his Aid,
Beat. Badeau. These were followed by Mai
Haipine, Aajutent-General on Gen. Hunters
stat; Capts. Ely and Hawkes. of Gen. Benham's
staff and Lieut. John Irwin, u. S. N, accom-
panied by Lieut.. James 1. Hall. LIST N Y. Eng
and Capt. PelOusc, Inspector General of the