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The reports of Colonel Keitt, Lieutenant-Colonel Simpkins, and Captain Sitgreaves, give me every reason to believe the garrisons of Batteries Bee and Beauregard acquitted themselves equally well, and are equally entitled to the thanks and gratitude of their commander and their country.
Colonel Butler makes honorable mention of the following officers: Captain M. H. Wigg, A. C. S., when the flag staff was shot away, promptly mounted a transom and placed the regimental flag in a conspicuous place upon it. Captain G. A. Wardlaw, A. Q. M., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Mitchell King, and First-Lieutenant D G. Calhoun, were likewise prompt in placing the battle and garrison flags in conspicuous positions.
Lieutenant Williams, Ordnance Officer, is also favorably mentioned.
To Captains William Greene and B. G. Pinckney, of my staff, and First-Lieutenant A. H. Lucas, my Aid-de-Camp, I am indebted for valuable assistance, and my thanks are also due to Lieutenant-Colonel O. M. Dantzler and Doctor G. W. Wescott, volunteer Aids for the occasion.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement in tabular form, showing the expenditure of ammunition by Fort Moultrie and the batteries during the action.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. H. Trapier, Brigadier-General, commanding.
Report of the part taken by Fort Moultrie in the action of the Seventh of April.
headquarters, Fort Moultrie, S. C., April 13, 1863.
First Lieutenant W. E. Hane, Adjutant of Forces on Sullivan's Island:
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following statement of the part taken by this fort in the action with the iron-clad fleet of the abolitionists on the seventh of this month:
On the fifth, the attacking fleet, consisting of eight turreted gunboats and the steam-frigate Ironsides, crossed the bar and took a position about three miles and a half or four miles from this fort.
On the seventh it advanced in the direction of the harbor, one of the turreted boats some distance in advance.
As soon as the leading boat came within range, I reported the fact to the Brigadier-General commanding, and received orders from him to commence the action.
Thinking it was the object of the enemy to run by Fort Sumter, I permitted the firing to be rapid at the commencement, using every precaution, however, to encourage deliberation in aiming.
The boats engaged were at all times, during the action, within range of the guns of this fort.
About three-quarters of an hour after the first gun was fired, the frigate Ironsides steamed up to within sixteen hundred yards and took a position apparently with a view of taking a prominent part in the action.
All the guns that could be brought to bear were trailed upon her and fired, and she in a few minutes afterwards moved out of range.
The fire was generally directed upon the boat in advance, and I think with some effect.
Shots were seen to strike frequently, many of them breaking to pieces.
The guns engaged were manned by Companies A, E, F, and G, First South Carolina infantry, commanded respectively by Captains T. A. Huguenin and R. Press Smith, First Lieutenant Erwin, and Captain B. S. Burnett; the mortars by Companies F and K, Captain C. H. Rivers, were fired with creditable accuracy.
Officers and men performed their duties with spirit and celerity.
During the action the flag-staff was cut down by a shot from the enemy, which, in falling, struck private Lusby, Company F, First South Carolina infantry, causing his death in a few minutes.
This was the only casualty of any importance.
One gunner, private Harrison, Company G, lost a finger by some inadvertence in running a gun into battery, but returned to his post after getting his wound dressed.
When the flag was struck down, Captain W. H. Wigg, A. C. S., promptly placed the regimental flag in a conspicuous place upon a traverse.
Captain W. H. Wardlaw, A. Q. M., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Mitchell King and First Lieutenant D. G. Calhoun were likewise prompt in placing the battle and garrison flags in conspicuous positions.
Major T. M. Baker, First South Carolina infantry, was wherever his services would be most useful.
The Ordnance Officer, Second Lieutenant Thomas Williams, was at his post at the magazine.
Much credit is due to him for the good condition of the gun carriages and the ordnance stores.
I have already submitted a report of the amount of ammunition expended.
The guns engaged consisted of nine eight-inch columbiads, five thirty-two-pounder rifled and banded guns, five smooth-bore thirty-two pounders, and two ten-inch mortars.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, First Lieutenant W. E. Hane, Adjutant of Forces on Sullivan's Island:
William Butler, Colonel First South Carolina Infantry,commanding.
Report of Colonel Keitt of the part taken by the batteries of Sullivan's Island in the action of the Seventh of April.
Captain: I had the honor this morning to send to you the reports of the commandants of the various batteries on Sullivan's Island engaged in the action of the seventh instant with the enemy's iron-clad fleet.
The action was commenced at three o'clock by Fort Moultrie, and in a short time thereafter was general throughout all the batteries.
Immediately after the opening of the engagement, I left Fort Moultrie (where Brigadier-General Trapier had stationed his headquarters and was overlooking the conflict) and repaired to Battery Bee.
At this battery I found the garrison alert and ready to direct their fire against the invading fleet.
Their guns were promptly trained, and
