The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-08-24


soldierly-lOoking officer, with handsome
artistic features, something of a martinez in
manner and speech. The enemy were firing
grape down the beach at the group of officers
and men. who found this the better travel
ing. At every discharge, as the shot came
bounding along the hard sand beach, Sey-
mour would take off his hat and say, =" My
compliments 10 you, gentlemen. We viii
give you something TO talk about before
night comes"
There was an old weatherbeaten boat half
buried in the sands, with its seams wide
open. that attracted his attention.
Michie,n said be, "get that boat into the
water, make your way out to the ironciads,
and give the naval commander my compli-
ments. and ask him if he will not move his
vessels near to Wagner, so as to drive those
fellows out"
I said the boat would not live in the water,
as the seams were all open.
Goa, il will hold you, and if it does sink
little you'll be able 10 paddle out there;
they'll see you and send a boat for you"
Well, / had nothing more to say, but 1t
appeared to me the most foolhardy thing
that ever heard of, and so l went up to-
ward the sand-hills to get some men to
LANCH THE CRAZY THING.
But was not more than 20 yards from the
boat before a grapeshot came along and
smashed the whole thing into smithereens; ;
for which shot / mentally gave thanks to
Providence and the rebels for 1 was dread
fully afraid of sharks.
The descent of Morris Island had thus
been successfully accomplished, but the full
fruits had not been gathered, for it is now
certain that had the fresh troops been huT-
tied 10 The front and the ironclads had
moved up the main ship channel TO deliver
a strong flank fire on Wagner, there is no
reasonable doubt that this work, which
afterwards became such difficult problem
to solve, would then have fallen. The re-
duction Of Sumter would then have been
relatively more easily accomplished.
Now that a secure foothold had been
gained on Morris Island, it was determined
to assault Fort Wagner, and as We held the
island as far as 500 yards beyond the Beacon
House, lire of intreDchments was thrown
across the island from the marsh to the sea
TO prevent the enemy from assailing our po-
sition during the night of the 10Th. This
line was some 20 or 30 yards In advance of
the position afterwards occupied by the sec
ond parallel and it should have been held
and, at he time, strongly intrenched and
made the basis of our future approach in
the siege of Wagner. A gallant assault by
Strong's Brigade at day ybreak on the morn
ing Of the 11ih, led by four companies of the
9TH Conn, reached the parapet, but, not
being properly supported, failed to carry the
work. This failure, IN connection with the
information obtained in regard to the form
idable character of the work itself, led to the
decision on the part of the military authori-
ties 10 establish cOunter-batteries against
Wagner preliminary to
ANOTHER ASSAULT
in stronger force on the 10Th, but which was
delayed until the 18th.
These batteries were established at dis
tances varying from 300 TO 1900 yards
from Wagner, on the site of what afterward
became the first parallel in the siege. Their
armament comprised q siege-guns and Il
mortars, and, as this was greatly in excess of
that of Wagner, it was confidently expected
that The latter would be completely destroyed
before the assaulting columns were sent for
ward on their hazardous mission.
a severe rain storm, accompanied by the
most intense darkness, made even yet more
dense by contrast with frequent vivid light
ming flashes, came upon us on the night of
the 17ib, while we were using our utmost
endeayors 10 finish the batteries. As every
despi the storm, but so abundant was the
dowDpour that even the porous sand could
not absorb the water with sufficient rapidity,
so that at times the gun-platforms were
completely submerged.
The severity of the storm caused my horse
to turn his back to its fury, which brought
me face TO face toward the open sea.
The next lightning fash disclosed to my
astonished vision what appeared to me TO be
q strOig detachment Of the enemy in open
boats endeavOriDg to make landing on our
flank. The great waves Of the ocean seemed
as if fixed In huge hiIl0cks Of water, while
the troops appeared perfectly motionless, as
If waiting the favorable moment TO make
the final dash
Startled as / was at this unexpected sight,
gazed yet more intently, and each succeed
ing fash only increased my dismay. Scarcely
reasoning upon the absurdity of my impress
sion, ! hastily gathered what troops could
to oppose their landing fearing that the rain
would wet our ammunition and prevent our
firing; but l was determined at all events
TO give them the bayOnet. After experience
ing great deal of anxiety, learned that
the
FANCIED ENEMY
were only the friendly patrol boats of the
navy keeping their watchful outlook to pre-
vent just such contingency as / had
imagined.
About midday Of the 18th the batteries
were sufficiently prepared to begin the bonn
bardment OF Wagner, and for three hours they,
inconnection with the feet, poured upon this
hith, rtO-despised sand fort such a rain of
shot and shell as never before had been wit
messed in war.
PM a oil IN Caor,-o =,
eapacious bomb-proofs, well protected be-
hind their tTaverses, and taking every pre-
caution for the safety Of their artillery on
the iaud front, they awaited the assault
that they clearly foresaw would follow the
cessation of this formidable artillery fire.
We cannot help admiring their heroic gal
lantry aud stubborn stamina under the ter
rible strain to which they were subjected.
And when our gallant troops went for
ward IN columns OF attack over the long,
long 1900 yards that separated the COM
batants, struggling through the sand-hills
against the destructive streams Of fire that
were incusSed on the bright-blue line from
Wagner, Gregg ard Sumter, it seemed
desperate it not hopeless task.
Bui when they reached the confines Of The
mars! that fronted Wagner, and were there
forced into the narrow gorge of but % yards
wide a0d received the rapid outpOurings of
a Thousand rifles into their contacted
masses, Tie marvel was that any should es-
cane Geafh and destruction