The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-06-07

er oi these attacks can be called a
siege.
Fort Pulaski, held Ly the Coufcl
crates, was blockadcd by guns on
Tybcc Island and batteries along the
savannah River in the rear, in the
latter part Of February, l-G2. No
attack was made uron it, however,
until April 10, when demand for its
surrender having been refused, 81
cannon and mortars opened fire upon
It, After gallant defense of Is
hous during which the walls of the
Tort were nearly battered to the
ground, it was surrendered. This
was a blockade and assault, not a
siege.
Island No. 10, a strongly fortified
islet in the bend of the Mississippi
River, below Columbus, was held 20
be the key to the navigation of the
lower Mississippi, and therefore is
possession was valued by both armies.
Gen. Beaurega,d was on the island
with about 1000 men. March 15
1862, Commander Foote, with fleet
of eight gunboats and ten mortars
began systematic attack on the forti-
hcations. The bombardment con-
tlnucd for several weeks, with no re.
suit apparently but wasted ammuni
ton. During the first week in April
Gen. Beauregard telcgraphed to Rich :
mond that the federal guns had
thrown 5000 shells and burned 80
tons of gunpowder without damaging
our batteries or killing more than one
OF his men. 1t was plain that the
stronghold could not be reduced by
attack on its front solely, wherefore a
canal was dug by the federals through
the peninsula formed by the bend of
the river, thus enabling them to
bring force against the undefended
rear Of the island. This compelled its
surrender April 8. The attack on
Island No. 10 was true siege.
The siege of Charleston-part of
which was the capture of Fort Wag-
ner-may be allowed to retain the
name, though, strictly speaking, it
was mainly a reduction by blockade.
An unsuccessful attack on the fortifi-
cations in April, 1863. began the
work. Then in the summer came
Gen. Gilmore who, by taking pos
session of and fortifying the southern
part of Norris Island, by planting
batteries not only on all the solid
ground within his reach, but also, on
the soft surface Of the marsh -(wit-
ness the famous Swamp AngeID-a.
last reduced the strong fortress Of the
harbor. The famous fortress of Sum
ter was first converted into "shape-
less, harmless mass Of rui.s," then
oil the guns were turned on Fort Wae-
ncr, which, after several thousand
tons OF scrap iron and shells had been
hurled upon it, breaking and tearing
its strong sides, was evacuated by its
defenders the night Of September 6.
Taking possession Of and repairing the
captured forts, Gen. Gilmore began
an irregular bombardmcnt of Charles.
ton itself, which was continued for
two months or more, then suspended.
The rigorous blockade was sustained,
but the oity did not fall until the
forces of Sherman, IS months later.
came upon it from the rear.
The siege Of Port Hudson, La,
might be called part of the Vicks-
burg campaign, for it was carried on
at the same time and in similar man.
ner to tho siege Of Ficksburg. At
this point a line of strong batteries
lined the river shore, and were man
ned with a garrison of about $500
officers and men. On May 9th at.
tack was made simultaneously by Far
ragut with naval and Banks with a
land force. Attempt made at three
several times to carry the fortitica.
lions by assault only resulted in ter.
rible loss of life on the part of the
bessegers. Port Hudson was not the
,entse of national anxiety and inter.
sst that Ficksb.-g was during those
'ateful weeks of May and june, 1863,
but its defense was one of the most
conspicuous instances of heroism in
'he whole record of the war. The
garrison subsisted on less than half
'ations for weeks, meanwhile their
'amished nerves were tortured with
The roar of the bombardment day and
night, yet they held out with cheer
'ul fortitude. However, famine w.s
about to do what shot and shell could
not accomplish, and the brave garri.
3On was atmoat IN The po;nk of ,