Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-02-05
STORIES OF THE WAR,
No. 8---The Storming of Fort
McAllister.

which was somewhat conspicuous in the
War, is situated on what was formerly
known as Genesis Point, on the right bank
of the Great Ogeechee, where it enters
the sea marsh and is about 10 miles south
west from Savannah, Ga. The Ogeechee
is navgable for some distance and to-
close it to an enemy was one of the early
necessities of IA proper defense of that
coast especially so, since a force might
ascend it quite to the rear of Savannah.
The development of monitors and guns of
great power and range awakened the Con
federates to the increased danger to their
ports and cities, so that these coast de
lenses were pushed forward with vigor.
This one was large earthwork OF irregu-
lar plan, conforming to the nature OF the
ground, with guns in barbette and the
usual magazines, bomb proofs, and
traverses. In the winter OF lSG3, when 1t
first specially attracted the attention of
the Union blockading squadron it was
substantially a completed work, garrison
ed by detachment of young men from
Savannah, and in command of Col. An
derson. son of II we'll known citizen and
the Mayor of that city At that time it
had an effective armament of heavy guns,
and the officer commanding the bOckad-
ing squadron on that coast-Admiral Du-
pont-seems to have contemplated an at
tack, partly to practice his new monitors
and guns, even if the effort to capture the
fort should fail. In January Commander
John \. l.. Worden, already famous, was
sent with the Montauk to capture Meal
lister, and then try to destroy the Nash
vile, Il large Confederate steamer, lying
N ha hln "a a
with cotton, ready to run the blockade.
AfterWard he was to destroy the bridge of
the Gulf Railroad still further up the
river
Worden arrived on the 24th of January
and was supported by the war vessels
Seneca, Wissahicken, Dawn and Will
liams but. on account of Il heavy fog, he
could not attack till the 10Th, when the
Montauk anchored Just out OF range.
During the night reconnaissance was
made in small boats, disclosing line of
piles across the river To which tOrpedoes
We're attached. At O'Clock next morn
ing the vessel moved up to within 100
yards of this obstruction, and, with the
whole fleet in fair range, the action began.
After continuing it with remarkable pre-
cisiOn till nearly noon, and expanding his
ammunition without noticeable effect.
Worden withdrew out of range. AL
though the fire OF the enemy was excel
lent, the vessels of the fleet being fire.
quently struck, it caused no material dam
age, and there were no casualties.
Again, on the list of February, the Mon
tauk, with the same supporting vessels,
advanced To Wlthlll ABOUT oOo yards ana
repeated the previous attack, with SINH
lar results, Commander NQrden report
ing thaI the only effect upon the tort seem
tu 10 oe the tearing up Oi ltS earlhWorks.
But, As was afterwards learned, one Off
Ger was Killed, seven men were wounded,
and one gun disabled The Montauk was
struck II times, but no serious damage
was sustained, ana no one seemed to nave
Deen huFu
A watchful eye was kept upon the
Nashville, which, after waiting Tor some
months lor al! opportunity TO escape with
Her collOh, WithureW nISuer up the river
ana AGAIN aPpeareu ntte!l as cruiser User
hoping 10 SUN elude tle vigilance OF W Or
zen ana hlial!y lcach foreign waters 10
prey upon our commerce. during inns
lIihe lhe lort was greatly strehStileheu'
anu on Ihe "a OF March the NashNllle was
HnalI! ueaIruSed'
va tne @itn oI reoruar!' IN MOVING
u1Nh IoWuiu tIc loIl' sHe ran aElotll III
nehu o. the river, ohIS ABOUT wv yards
across me leNel country from lhe old posi-
tlol o. our HGet: NorlGh at once at
Naiceu WIN WIN itll ms Neseeis, each taxing
uP ~ i"Ii'I.4i p,'tce, nt', 1eS 5r 1t ISor
ous ooiliparuiiheh'' when III ~ minutes
stO l'le n'ct'eI"'e NfN5tl on II'' eAP'VG
eu heI Hia@I"Iuc; anu destroyer uer' Al
thou|h M iHi' he?' up e'e'u9 il'P Ip'.
IN. i nte'' IT. ca" no otlil"-t, anu ne Hrr "'
ihe cV"S'r' heSHG!9 upon II M"S INc"I9'
hdllllItS9. III NIl"Hr""IuS thc M"il'@"N
ran upon Il torpedo "nicA exploded,
cauHlHN " pt' ledh am Hl"hl"S IL h'Ve1H'
~ NHeii wen O"' "l range 10 run lIct
aGtouu"', HHt wa P''c"e,'' ailH H"''l"
Wltl hlHh ,"alcI' uIH Nouu SeIN zee "I'e
wards, as long as shlp0 were required ON
that coast.
On the "a all the available vessels, IN