The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-28

plainly, this is the fore-runner of an as
sault--and so it proved.
The storm ceased for time, and every
one made ready for the grand ball at
night.
The several commands were assigned
to their different positions, some in charge
of the guns, whilst others were
placed along the parapet. Accord
ing to the report from the other
side, Gen. Gilmore states the bat
teries opened upon him las soon as the
head of his column left their
and rapid fire." Following their old rule
they put the Niger in front, for we find
Strong's brigade headed by the Fifty
fourth Massachusetts (colored) regiment
of 600 men, who tcame forward on the
double quick, !" but broke at the ditch of
Wagner under the whitening fire, turned
about and charged back to the rear--thus
illustrating the old adage, "He who fights
and runs away, will live to fight another
day" In their mad rush for a safer
place they precipitated themselves on the
other troops of their own brigade, and
caused very great confusion and disorder.
Two other regiments became panic
stricken by this run, Niger, Run" bust
ness, and Gen. Strong commanding the
brigade found he had but two regiments
left with which to continue the fight.
The Second brigade, under Col. Put
nam, made famous charge, and he, with
about 100 of his men, took possession of
the southeastern salient of the fort. The
Thirty-first North Carolina should have
been there, but had left the place ex-
posed, all efforts to get the men out of the
bomb proofs having proved unavailing
1--WE are glad to note, however, that this
regiment redeemed its reputation by dis
tinguished conduct next year on the
battlefield in Virginia.
For moreithan one hour Putnam's one
hundred held possession of this salient,
and bravely defended themselves against
terrible odds. We must admire courage
and fortitude, even when displayed in
such a marked degree by our
enemies. They were entirely cut
off from any sort of support, for the other
troops had by this time given up the fight
and retired, so finally they had to yield
on account of sharp fire from the Fifty
first North Carolina, and fanl1ing force
of the Thirty-second Georgia.
EThis fight was of three hours duration
the loss to the attacking party amounting
to some 1000 killed, wounded and cap
tured. The confederates lost ia killed
and wounded.
Having failed second time to capture
Wagner, the enemy now changed his
plan of operations and commenced to APP
proach by parallels. This succeeded at
last in causing the evacuation, for with
the aid of their breastwork on wheels
which was moved from place
to place, they approached very
rapidly, and with the calcium light which
was thrown on the fort, our men could
not repair the damages made by the
shells. They did not construct these de-
lenses, however, without being annoyed
by our guns, for when shelled they re-
turned the fire, seven shots to our one,
and the first night the Smelling was dis
continued by our side their stockade was
advanced at least 100 yards toward our
battery
On Sept. 8 Wagner received a heavy
fire from some sixty-five guns and NOR
tars, whereas our little battery had but
twelve effective guns on this day with
which to reply. The garrison at
this time consisted Of 900 men,
who, although enduring untold suffering
and hardships, maintained a bold front
and never wavered or thought of sur
render, even under that bonn bardment
which has been estimated as 1900 shots
In forty-two hours
On Sept. 6, under this tremendous
storm of iron hail. Lieut.. Col. Harris,
chief engineer, visited the island and
after investigating the condition of
affairs, advised an evacuation that night
This was successfully accomplished
shortly after midnight, the only casualty
being that some forty-six soldiers and
sailors under lieutenant were captured
by the enemy's pickets.
For tifty-eight days old Wagner stood
the seige and enabled Gen Beauregard
in this time to strengthen and perfect his
interior defenses on James Island and
the inner harbor.
Words are inadequate to paint a true
picture of the trials these brave defend
ers were called upon to endure Good
water was scarce article with them at
this time, for their wells were tainted by
the bodies of the slain, both of men and
horses; the provisions, though of good
quality when sent from Charleston, were
often delayed in the hot sun and forty
eight hours old by the time Of arrival
Fighting every hour Of daylight and
working at night made up the sum total
of their existence
The war is Overt But we have nothing
OF which to be ashamed. We regret, how
ever, that so many good and valuable
lives were sacrificed for our Lost
Cause"
Let us teach our sons and daughters to
love and revere the names of Stonewall
jackson, Barlow, Polk and others, who
so freely gave their life's blood on the
field OF battle. Yea, and charge them to
hand it down to posterity. and thus shall
their memories live on, brilliant and glo-
rious-a fitting monument to our heroic
dead.