Daniel Ammen, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 7.2, The Atlantic Coast
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[131] followed by the Catskill, Nahant, and Montauk, attacked Wagner, the New Ironsides taking position in face of the fort. From outside the bar the Canandaigua, Mahaska, Cimarrone, Ottawa, Wissahickon, Dai Ching, and Lodona opened also with rifles and pivot guns.

As the tide rose the monitors closed to within a distance of about four hundred and fifty yards of Wagner, and the Ironsides as near as her draught would permit. After a couple of hours the fort was silenced, and the fire of the vessels was less frequent thereafter. During the action Fort Moultrie made fair practice on the Ironsides.

The batteries of General Gillmore were working effectively on the gorge of Sumter. Later in the day the admiral shifted his flag to the Passaic, and, accompanied by the Patapsco, steamed to within two thousand yards of Sumter, and opened fire on its southeast face with one rifled 150-pounder on board of each of these vessels. Sumter scarcely replied, Wagner was silent, and battery Gregg alone, on Cummings Point, maintained a deliberate fire at the two monitors. The vessels were withdrawn at noon, the batteries of General Gillmore continuing an effective fire at Sumter. In the afternoon the Passaic and Patapsco again attacked Wagner to prevent repairs. The fort opened briskly on them, but in a short time remained silent.

During this day's bombardment a heavy shot striking the top of the pilot-house of the Catskill, of which vessel Commander George W. Rodgers was in temporary command, caused the instant death of that gallant officer and of Paymaster Woodbury, who was at his side. The fragments of iron also wounded Mr. Penton, the pilot, and Master's Mate Wescott.

Commander Rodgers was the chief-of-staff to the admiral, but on this occasion had been permitted to take the Catskill