The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-06-19

crn cnd Of Morris Island. Forty
seven pieces of artillery poured an
inccssant fire upon the unfinished
Confederate batteries. The monitors
Catskill, Montauk and Wehawkcn
steamed up within less than a mile
and delivered enflade their broad
sides of eleven and fifteen.inch shot
and shell, while four howitzcr launch
cs opened on the right.
Under cover Of this terrible bonn
bardmcnt $500 men, under Brig. Gen.
Strong, put out in small boats from
Folly River and landed at Oyster
Point. The Confcdcratcs fought with
great determination, but their guns
were soon disabled, and the remnant
OF infantry was compelled to return
before the overwhelming force, sus-
tanning loss Of 29l the Federals lost
but 50 killed and 80 wounded.
1t was not until capture was immi-
ncnt thct the few gallant men remain
ing, who had sustained this terrific
onslaught for three hours, fell back,
disputing every inch Of ground. The
fonr monitors steamed slowly along as
near to the shore as the depth Of wa
ter would permit, pouring in their
broadsidcs Of shrapncl and shell. The
Fcdcrals dcploycd across the island
from shore to shore and delivered
murdcrous fire. Two companies of
the 7th battalion Of the South Caro-
lima infantry. 260 effective, which had
just landed, arrived in time to cover
the retreat. The enemy advanced un-
til they came within range of the
heavy guns of Fort Wagner, which
opened rapidly with shot and she'll.
Falling back to the shelter Of the
sand hills the Federal troops rested
for the remainder of the day.
During the morning and evening Of
the 10th Morris Island was reinforced
by Nelson's battalion, 2GO men; Col.
Olmstcd command of Georgia troops,
534 men; twenty men Of Company D,
1st South Carolina infantry, 20 men
of Companies T., II and I, 1st South
Carolina artillery; two hundred Of the
2lst South Carolina volunteers, the
Gist Guard and Matthewes' artillery,
in all 200 men, which constituted
the Confederate force. They were
ordered to be on the alert against an
impending attack and the night was
passed in comparative quiet, tho ar
tillery sleeping in the gun chambers.
l had command Of 80 FOUNDER
smoothbore on sea face, bearing on the
beach. The total number Of men
allowed in the chamber was ten; all
Others were excluded for the sake of
room. The gun was double -shotted
with shrapnel and grape and pointed
down the beach. All being quiet the
men composed themselves to rest
around tho gun. Four hours passed,
but at midnight the pickets on the
ridge caught the sound of stealthy
footsteps advancing over the soft
sand. The early cleaning of dawn
hardly revealed the form of the foe;
they opened a rapid fire, thus giving
signal of the assault. In moment
the S.uth Carolinians manned the
guns on the right and right centre Of
the ramparts; the Georgians guarded
the left and left centre of the works;
the 18th battalion occupied the south
east bastion; the 1st Georgia along
the sea front to tho left: Col. II. L.
Graham in command.
Four companies of the 18th Connec-
ticut, under Lieut.. Col. Rodman, led
tho assault. So rapidly did they fol-
low upon the heels of the retreating
picket force they were at the crest of
tho sea face as the pickets we're en-
tering the sallyport. Against the
dark sky tho dim outlines of human
figure could just be discerned. The
32,pounder was loaded and ready to
fire, but before the order was given he
was challenged to know if he was
friend or foe. Quick as thought the
man. s gun was levclled. The COM
mand was then given to fire aud the
32 FOUNDER belched forth the reply.
The whole load passed through the
mans body, cutting him in twain.
This became the signal for the blast
Of war. The artillery opened With a
murderous hail Of grape and canister,
while tho musketry poured forth in q
steady roll their balls, sent like wind
and rain in the face of the foe.
AS the light Of day increased and
the smoke cleared away the retreating
columns of blue coats were seen max
: ing for the sand hills, the remnant OF