The National tribune., 1895-02-28

In disaster, and Benham WAS relieved OF his
command He WAS succeeded by Gen. o. M.
Michel who Immediately planned an ex-
petition against Charleston by way of the
mainland. Accordingly, on the Odd of Oc-
tober, 1852, he sent out strong reconn0is-
ance. in force who met the enemy ut POGO
taiigo, and an indecsive battle was fought.
In this engagement the 10Th Pa. lost some
of its best officers and a number of enlisted
men. What might have been the final re-
suit cannot now be told. as the noble Chris
tiaa, philosopher and soldier who conceived
and matured the plan, about this time fell a
victim to yellow fever, and his short and
brilliant military career was ended.
Only one OF the twins participated in this
bat ie, the other being confined ia the hospital
al Hilton Head with the fever, that about
this time was digging so many graves in the
white sands of South Carolina. After weeks
of suffering the steeiy frame sprang back to
life and health but for i0ng time the boy
was almost entirely deaf as result Of this
terrible sickness. Geh. Q. A. Gilmore, q
skilliul Engineer officer who had dis
tinguished himself al the capture of Fort
Pulaski, succeeded to the command. He at
once organized an expedition for the reduc-
ton and Capture Of Fort Sumter.
Itc WCIO iChoFD'ohSCh Oh
Folly Island. just across the Folly Island
River was Morris Island, whose white sand
bluff. were lined with batteries of heavy
artillery, which bat few weeks before had
covered with disaster the expedition of Ad-
miral Dupont with his ironclads. The
Keokuk was sunk, and nearly all the vessels
were seriously injured. The officers de-
clared that the strikes of the shots against
the iron sides OF their ships were as rapid as
the ticks of watch. On the south it was
defended by a double line Of breastworlss,
extending across the island from an impassa-
bic swamp TO the sea. II was the intention
to effect landing on this island, and carry
these works by assault. The men for this
hazardous work were carefully selected, and
on the afternoon of the 9th of July, 1868,
were ordered TO sew upon the left coat
sleeve the white badge of forlorn hope"
The twins were among the number selected
from their company and regiment. On the
night OF the same day these men were
quietly embarked in large suri-boats, and a
detachment of marines with muffied oars
rowed them out into Folly Island River.
The men were ordered not to speak above
a whisper, and UNDER no circumstances to
display light Of any sort. The night was
dark, and nothing was to be seen except
the shadow of the tall weeds that grew on
either bank aud rocked themselves trem-
blingly on the silent water, or the occasional
flash of an oar as 1t gliDted through the
spray. No sound was to be heard save the
deep breathing of the stern-faced warriors,
and the soft dipof the oars as they fell in
the water. &0
Daylight of the 10th found them lying
within point-blsnk range of the batteries
and breastworks / have just described.
The oppressive stiffness of the morning was
broken by terrific fire of artillery from a
masked Union battery on the northern neck
OF Folly Island. Under cover of this fire
the men were ordered to land. Instantly
they sprang from the boats and formed in
line-of-batle, standing waist-deep In the
water. Quietly the command was given:
Fix bay0nets-Charge bayonets-
ward, ,double-quIck +" With the yell, forward
swept the brave fellows, driving everything
before them. Shot and shell shrek and
roar over their heads or plow through
their ranks like a very hell. Minie-bails
Fly through the air with a spiieful hiss, or
plunge with dull thud into the form of
some brave fellow Us he struggles forward
The breastw0rks are captured, and battery
after battery Is gained, until the regi-
mental flags wave on the white crest of
these formidable works, that had but few
weeks before had so mercilessly beaten back
the iron feet of Dupont.
In this hot and sanguinary scene where
are the twins? There they are side by side