USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 11
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to act as a feint, while the real attack, as intended, was from the north end of Folly island. The design was to command the causeways and bridges, hold James island, threaten the defences of Secessionville, and divide the forees between Morris island and the front of Gen. Terry's column. So far the feint was a suc- cess. Gen. Gillmore was concentrating all the dis- posable force in the department on Folly island as rapidly as possible. The troops were encamped or bivouacked under shelter and cover of the timber and bushes, which completely hid them from view. The works at the north end of the island were of a very formidable character, and gave evidence of great labor. The gunners were ready at any moment to open on the enemy across the narrow inlet that separated the two forces.
The morning of the 10th of July was fixed for the opening of the batteries. Hard by, in Folly river, in boats concealed in the tall grass of the marsh, was Gen. Strong with two thousand men waiting the time of movement. The hour had arrived. The gunners were in position, lanyards in hand, waiting the magic word of command. The commanding general eagerly waits the dawn. Day breaks. "Do you see that gun on yon sand hill?" asked Gen. Seymour of Capt. Strahn, of the Third Rhode Island Artillery. "I do." was the response. " Are you ready?" "Aye,
wo. sir." " Blaze away." The rebels were appalled at the roar of artillery so near, and with such terrific power. Island, inlet, river, ocean, and woodland
.
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echoed the startling intelligence that the siege of Charleston had commenced. The silence of that southern morn was broken, and for two hours the detonating thunders of artillery were continuous, ere- ating a panic of fear in the hearts of the rebels on that sandy isle. At half past six o'clock, in the face of a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, the boats were ordered across the inlet, piloted by Capt. Payne, who had made himself familar with every spot in that maze of water and marsh. At the landing of the troops, Gen. Strong, in his haste and excitement, cried out at the top of his voice, " See the rebels run," and at once stepped overboard in seven feet of water. After a sharp and short struggle, full possession was obtained of the rebel works at the south end of Morris island, with eleven guns, eamp equipage, and two hundred prisoners. Dahlgren's monitors, the Wee- hawken, Catskill, Montauk and Nahant, opened a eross fire upon the retreating rebels, as well as upon the guns of Wagner. The Confederates were hotly pur- sned by Gen. Strong, who withont boots, in his stock- ings and bare headed, mounted on a rebel horse, caught by one of his men, led his troops as far as the Beacon House, a onee fine mansion, and the only one on the island, but now sadly riddled with shot and shell. The operations of that eventful morning were full of incidents, attended with the hopes and fears of both officers and men, the excitement of a night of anxious watching, known only to those who have been detailed to execute some apparently desperate and dan-
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grrous enterprise. As soon as Strong's brigade had landed, the boats were sent across the inlet and took over the One Hundredth New York, Seventh New Hamp- shire, and six companies of the Forty-eighth New York, which joined the advance at the Beacon House. At the Beacon House the troops were within range of the guns of Wagner, but the men had become so exhausted with the work of the morning, on account of the great heat, that it was impossible for them to proceed farther. The flags of the Sixth Connecticut were placed upon the Beacon House, but they drew the fire of the enemy, and were soon shot down. They were replaced by those of another regiment. As mentioned, the moni- tors rolled their ponderous shells across the surface of the island to hasten the flight of the enemy. Previous to the incidents related, Lieut. C. B. Adriance had been detailed as aid to Gen. Vogdes, and was con- stanty employed. At the Beacon House Gen. Strong was reinforced. The details were arranged, and Wag- ner was to be assaulted at daylight, the 11th of July. The assaulting columns were the Seventy-sixth Penn- -ylvania, Forty-eighth and One Hundredth New York, Third New Hampshire, Ninth Maine, and Sixth and Seventh Connecticut, comprising the brigades of Seymour and Strong. The open space between the Beacon House and Wagner, and from ocean to swamp, every foot of it, could be swept by the enemy's guns. They were waiting and expecting an attack. They, to, had been reinforced. The first shock of fright of the preceding day had passed. The rebels had
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strengthened their works and ordered the plan of their defence. Our brave comrades, flushed with recent vie- tory, moved gallantly forward. Sheets of flame flashed from the parapets of the fort. Grape-shot and canis- ter went seattering through the ranks of those valiant men. On they pushed. The ditch was gained, crossed. and the parapet scaled; but for the want of support- those heroes of a day were obliged to retire, leaving their killed and wounded in the hands of the enemy. Had this assault been made as an ending of the work so brilliantly done the day before, there is no doubt Wagner would have fallen and many lives saved that were lost in the subsequent assault and siege, before that stronghold received the protecting folds of the stars and stripes. Though repulsed, the island must be held, and at the Beacon House the scattered forces were collected, and began at once to intrench for future operations. Morris island is a narrow bed of sand north of Folly, on the west side of the outer harbor. Its length from Cummings' Point to Light House Inlet is about three miles, while its breadth varies from a few hundred yards to a hundred feet in its narrowest part. Sand hills range along the beach, washed by the tidal waves which sweep across the island at various points. The opposite side slopes off into salt marshes more than two miles in width, with deep creeks separating it from James island. Self protection is the first law of a soldier, as of a civilian. Wearine -; is no excuse for the want of temporary intrenehments. The were constructed. The batteries from Folly, no
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longer needed, were transported to Morris, and in five days were in position against Wagner. The work was accomplished under the fire of Wagner and Sumter's anns.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
GEN. GILLMORE'S CONGRATULAATORY ORDER TO THE TROOPS. - SPECIAL MENTION OF GENS. STRONG AND SEYMOUR. - CAPT. L. S. PAYNE. - A SECOND ASSAULT TO BE MADE ON WAGNER. - BATTERIES BROUGHT FROM FOLLY AND PLANTED BEFORE WAGNER. - OTHER TROOPS ORDERED ON TO MORRIS ISLAND. - SEVERE FATIGUE AND DANGEROUS PICKETING. - JULY 15th. AT THE EDGE OF EVENING, THE ASSAULT TO BE MADE. - THE IRONCLADS TO ASSIST. - BRIGADES OF SEY- MOUR, PUTNAM AND STRONG. - STRONG LED THE ADVANCE. - THE BOMBARDMENT CONTINUED ALL DAY. - AT NIGHT THE TROOPS ASSAULTED AND WERE RE- PULSED.
Gen. Gillmore issued a congratulatory order to the troops, July 13th, for the brilliant victory of July 10th. and mentioning especially Gens. Vogdes and Strong. the former for his energy and patience, the latter for his heroic gallantry in leading his troops in the charge upon the island under the fire of the heavy guns of the enemy. The men were inspirited and cheered. Since the failure to take the fort on the morning of the 11th, the duties of the men were very severe. The danger-
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ons picketing, and construction of batteries for future te, were telling sadly upon the men. Many were being wounded daily. Several were wounded in Co. "I," July 13th, and one in Co. "G." Casualties were very frequent.
A New York paper speaking of Capt. L. S. Payne, "i the One Hundredth New York, says : "He scouted all around Morris island before we took it, and landed in several places. He seems to have a faculty of know- ing just where all pickets and troops are, and his life is evidently charmed, for he has been fired on many times at short range. He has command of all our picket lines."
As we have remarked, generals relied upon the accurate observations and reliable judgment of Capt. Payne, and ordered their plans in accordance with his representations. His valuable services were appreci- atel, and he reflected honor upon the regiment to which he belonged.
It had been decided, that a sudden attack, following a heavy bombardment of fleet and island batteries might put ns in possession of the fort, and with it, the entire island. It was to be a night assault. The evening of July 18th was fixed upon as the time for the sanguinary sacrifice. The brigades of Gens. Stephen- sou and Montgomery, were ordered from Folly island as supports and reserves. Strong's brigade had the allvance, at the head of which were the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored troops. The entire force con- site of the brigades of Seymour, Strong and Putnam.
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We wish to record here a few facts relative to the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored regiment. and other colored regiments that took part subsequently in the operations on Morris island. During a visit to Beaufort previously noted, we noticed ahead of the mail steamer, General Ilunter, the fine new steamer De Molay, just from Boston, which we were in- formed contained the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored troops. We saw them land. We saw the boxes torn open and the guns placed in their hands. They were northern negroes, and contrasted strongly with the negro troops on the island. The former showed northern culture and living, and the latter that of their southern homes. We will repeat here a few observations made at the time. Here are colored troops from North and South. Now what do we see in all this? Why, evidently, that this war is working out a great moral, civil and political pro- blem. The South will be changed. Here were two pictures. There on the shore stood a fine body of men, recently from northern homes. They are lighter in color, more active and intelligent in their move- ments, than their southern brethren. To me it seemed they were coming home. More will come. They will assimilate here, and at the close of the war many will reside here. If the negro has been the innocent cause of the rebellion, then through Providence he will be instrumental in meting out to the master in full the wrongs of centuries. They will fight, and that, too. stubbornly and bravely. They know the country.
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and it is well that their aid should help to end this unnatural and bloody war. There is a God in it, and the principles of right and freedom will live. The fire Kol by southern passion will consume the hand that holds the torch. The negro is naturally a soldier. Hle is transformed since arms has been placed in his hands. The gun and accoutrements make him proud, able and efficient. He shows it in all his motions. They learn as readily to handle a musket as a razor.
The Fifty-fourth was ordered on service immediate- ly to one of the coast islands. Then, with the expedi- tion under Gen. Terry before Secessionville on James i-land. They were not idle. In the spirited fight on James island they had distinguished themselves, and wc, they were to lead the advance on that rebel .tronghold, the already blood-sprinkled parapets of Wagner. The regiment had arrived that afternoon and reported to Gen. Strong at 6 P. M. Strong went : their bivouack in the sand, and informed the men . the contemplated attack upon Wagner; and that they had been assigned the post of honor, and asked if they were willing to lead the assault. They re- fouled in the affirmative, and when the hour came to, move up the beach they marched at the head of the temps. The assaulting columns were formed on the beach at sundown. That no misapprehension may arie relative to the bravery of the Fifty-fourth V .- ichusetts colored troops, we will give an extract fr un a report made of their fighting on James island : " The Fifty-fourth fought very bravely. They had 9
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numerous invitations to become prisoners, under cir- cumstances calculated to influence acceptance, but they declined in every instance, for the terrors of bond- age and strangulation and tortures, were worse than those of death. Not a single prisoner was taken from the regiment. Not a believer in arming of negroes. free or contraband, as soldiers, I must do this regi- ment the credit of fighting bravely and well.
"Cowards would have forgotten the future in the present, and sacrificed prospective danger for tempo- rary security. The rebels attacked them with the cry 'No quarter,' and they accepted the conditions of the fight. Several fell pierced by many bullets, while fighting singly with half a dozen of rebels, who were trying to capture them. One black man, bayoneted an officer, who was leading a squad of men, and then gave a thrust, which wounded a sergeant, just as he was falling with five bullets through his body. Another, whose arm had been shot off, brought his musket off the field with the other hand, carrying it till he fell down and bled to death."
This is the testimony of a not over favorable mind to the negro soldier, though subsequent experience told us that the negro, as a rule, was reliable as a friend and confidant, and as a servant and soldlier.
At half past nine A. M., of the 18th of July, the first shot was fired from our batteries. The firing was continued from the land batteries, and at ha !! past eleven 1. M. the ironclads moved up within three-fourths of a mile of Wagner, and opened their
-
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tire from monitors and the New Ironsides ; at 4 P. M. the guns of Wagner were silenced, and the rebels had betaken themselves to the bomb-proofs of the fort for protection.
Toward night a council of war was held, and it was decided to take the fort by storm. The storming columns moved along the beach deploying and moving in column alternately, as the nature of ad- rance, and surface of the island would permit, headed by the brigade of Gen. Strong, followed by those of Putnam and Seymour. The brigade of Gen. Stephen- son was held in reserve.
It was not so dark but what the enemy could see them forming, and they were expecting an attack. The One Hundredth New York was a part of Col. Putnam's brigade, and, with the other regiments com- posing the brigade, had been waiting on the beach mindler the bluffs during the day, for the decision of wetterals to assault or retire. As recorded, they had decided to assault. That carnage, that carnival of leath, that slaughter of loved ones, that hell of terror and fire, that thunderous roar of heavy ordnance and din of small arms, mingled with one of the most ap- Falling storms of thunder and lightning ever seen, or experienced, such as only a southern sky can hold, when the faces of the soldiery, as they advanced, could "ly be seen by the lurid glare of heaven's lightning ; this charge of brave men, over a smooth surface. Ranked by sea and swamp, with not a stump, tree, shrub or hillock to "cover" for a moment; this
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charge, this assault has been described often, very often, by imaginary observers, as well as by actors in that fearful drama; but all fail, in the true, real, since no one, nor a hundred minds in it, when out of it, could remember it, as a whole, save as an awful expe- rience, a wonderful escape from the very jaws of death.
The exposure of the soldiery had been such for seven days on that isle of shifting sand. attended with heavy fatigue and dangerous picketing, that hardly a message could be sent to friends at home. Worn out and disheartened, the assault seemed but the end of the beginning. As they moved on in the twilight, shot and shell at the distance of more than a mile would thin their ranks. Nearer and nearer they ap- proached the volcano of detonating death. Shot and shell were exchanged for grape and canister, when the destruction became fearful. Encouraged and cheered by their officers, those heroes pressed steadily for- ward. The ditch was gained. A large number mounted the parapet, and one corner of the fort was taken and held a short time, though commanded by the guns from the opposite side of the fort. In the darkness friend was mistaken for foe. Cols. Shaw and Putnam were killed on the crest of the parapet. Gens. Seymour and Strong were wounded. There seemed to be vo ruling spirit amid this terrible mas- sacre, this wholesale execution of daring and courage- ous men. Supports were not at hand. The remnants of the assaulting columns were forced to grope their
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way in return over ditch and plain, still swept with the enemy's guns; their ears pained with the cries and groans of wounded men, while the dead were wait- ing a burial, which to contemplate was to curse the rebellion and its authors, with a curse that appals the living and takes away the hopes of a future. It was a dance with death. No amusement, no romance, but a groping by the sides of torn and mangled com- rades. No flight with winged steeds from the scenes of blood and pain, but an hourly living at the mouth of the tomb, with no requiem, save the moaning surf along the sandy shore. The retreat was as deadly as the charge.
" Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered ;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
They that had fought so well, Came thro' the jaws of death,
Back from the mouth of hell, All that was left of them."
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE REPULSE AT FORT WAGNER. - THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. - COL. DANDY'S LETTER TO THE BOARD OF TRADE .- THE BRAVERY OF THE ASSAULTING COLUMNS. -THE ISLAND TO BE HELD .- FOLLY ISLAND THE BASE OF SUPPLIES. - TROOPS ENCAMPED AT THE SOUTH END OF MORRIS. - THIE ERECTION OF WORKS COM- MENCED. - THE "LEFT BATTERIES." -THE BATTERIES AT THE FIRST AND SECOND PARALLELS. - THE "SWAMP ANGEL," ITS CONSTRUCTION, COST AND USE.
With the repulse of Strong's brigade, the fearful slaughter of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts colored, and the short and bloody grapple of other regiments with the rebels, on and over the parapets, came the ad- vance of Putnam's brigade, and with it the One Hun- dredth New York, Col. Dandy and Maj. Nash. Col. Putnam inspired his whole brigade by his fearless, gallant conduct. Stragglers were intercepted under a hot fire, while the rear division of the Seventh New Hampshire and a portion of the One Hundredth New York were massed together, and essayed to get a foot- hold inside. One corner of the fort was ours, and that
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was swept by grape and canister and exposed to inus- ketrv. A messenger was sent for reinforcements. Col. Putnam alone remained in command, and alive. Gillmore, cool and clear headed, ordered on the brigade of Stephenson. Soon a messenger arrived to say that the brave and chivalric Putnam was killed, and that our troops had retired from the fort. The support- ing brigade was stopped and saved. Our killed and many wounded, besides prisoners, were left in the hands vi the rebels. Our entire loss was fifteen hundred and seventeen. At how great a cost was the entity of this republic purchased. This, added to the scores of assaults and battle fields, and we have an aggregate which staggers thought and bewilders mentality. Wagner must be taken by siege, and for fifty days, in ditch and along successive parallels, were the soldiery forced to creep toward that obstacle, the destroyer of a small army, Wagner, the name and memory of which will live while history has a record and governments an existence. Had, Wagner fallen, Gregg and the i-land would have been ours, and Sumter could have been reduced at short range. Gen. Gillmore con- veived the idea of reducing Sumter and Wagner to- gether. Beanregard assured his troops that Sumter could not be breached till Wagner was reduced. Gill- more's one-hundred, two-hundred and three-hundred- pounder Parrott guns at two and a half miles range, :'In different tale to the boasting Beauregard.
The list of casualties in most of the regiments of the assaulting brigades was frightful and shocking.
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The loss of officers, field and line, was large in propor tion to the number of men engaged.
The loss of the One Hundredth regiment was great. Co. "I," Capt. Brunck, happened to be on duty at the south point of the island. Among the officers killed and wounded, were Adjt. Haddock and Lient. Charle- H. Runckle, killed. Maj. D. D. Nash, who had been wounded through the arm at Fair Oaks, was shot through the thigh, and the only wonder has ever been. that his tall. manly and striking presence, a sure mark for the enemy's sharpshooters, had not long before been brought low; for most heroically did he cheer on his men in that fearful hour. Lieut. John McMann was fearfully wounded in the face and head, an officer of steady, stubborn, bravery, as subsequently evineed in many a fight, to the writer's personal knowledge. Capt. Charles II. Rauert, shot through the arm, an officer of tact, knowledge and experience, and one upon whom his men could rely. Capt. Warren Gran- ger was wounded slightly in the neck and face, and as his record as a fearless spirit had been established at Fair Oaks and through the Seven Days' fight, nothing else was expected of him than that he would be in at the death with his comrades in arms. Lieut. Cyri- Brown, who had been but recently commissioned, was sadly wounded, suffered amputation of one of his limbs, and subsequently died at Port Schuyler, New York, August 18th, 1863. Lient. Michael Friday was slighty wounded in the hand, but able to do duty very soon.
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The record of non-commissioned officers is large, es- pecially among the sergeants, which shows the efforts they made to cheer and steady the men in that storm of iron hail. First Serg. Edward Pratt was shot through the arm and side, and who subsequently arose to a captaincy, and was wounded as a lieutenant at Drury's Bluff when with the writer, making a charge on the enemy. He was one of those persistent, continu- ous minds that kept right on till the end, and duty was done. Serg. Frank Davy was almost literally cut to pieces. Serg. John W. Whaples fearfully wounded. Serg. Benjamin F. Hughson, subsequently commis- -ioned, severely wounded in thigh. Serg. George Morgan badly in shoulder. Sergeants Everts and Emery, Rustin, Gaylard, Lynch, Grebler, besides a long list of corporals and men. The loss of Adjt. Herbert HI. Haddock was almost irreparable. He was compe- tent, and every inch a soldier.
We cannot close this, to us, unwelcome task of re- cording the dead and wounded, without adding an ex- truet from a communication sent to the Board of Trade of this city, by Col. Dandy, who escaped unhurt from that fiery ordeal of blood and battle. He says :- " I cannot forbear expressing my admiration of the officers and soldiers of the One Hundredth. Under the most galling fire sustained by any troops since the commencement of the war, the regiment marched un- finchingly in line of battle right on the works of the "muy. I did not sce a case of misconduct. All was done there that brave men could do, and if we did not 9*
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succeed in taking the place, it was because, under the circumstances of the attack, the condition of the enemy. and strength of the place, it was impossible for brave men to take it. The colors presented to the regiment by the Board of Trade were planted on the fort by Serg. Flanders, of Co. " A," who was killed in de- fending them. Corporal Spooner, of Co. "A," brought off the colors, after the sergeant was killed. and although much soiled and torn, they are now safe with the regiment. The dead and wounded heroes whose names I send you have unostentatiously offered themselves as a sacrifice on the altar of their country's greatness and glory. While I here offer my heartfelt sympathies to their bereaved families and friends, I think I can perceive in the distance that light which is the forerunner to our nation's returning greatness. Such unselfish patriotism, such tremendous sacrifices. so much bloodshed, so much suffering, will not be in vain."
We should have said, that of the non-commissioned officers and men killed, the number of each was equally divided. The hospitals at Beaufort, Hilton Head and the hospital steamer Cosmopolitan, all were crowded with the wounded, and were cared for, as soon as means and energies could be brought to their relief. Large numbers were sent North, and the slightly wounded remained in their several camps.
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