Chapter 26:
- The new attempt upon Fort Sumter and Charleston. -- Gen. Gillmore's command. -- his plan of operations. -- what was proposed by the reduction of the works on Morris Island. -- a base of operations on Folly Island. -- how Gen. Beauregard was blinded and deceived. -- forty-seven guns of the enemy unmasked. -- the assault on Fort Wagner. -- gallantry of a Connecticut regiment. -- the assault repulsed. -- Gen. Beauregard's plans. -- his object in holding Morris Island. -- second assault on Fort Wagner in conjunction with Dahlgren's fleet. -- the bombardment of Fort Wagner. -- profound and significant silence of the garrison. -- advance of the storming column. -- its repulse. -- terrible scenes of carnage. -- siege operations. -- appeals to the South Carolina planters, and their indifference. -- Gillmore prepares to bombard and destroy Charleston. -- “the Greek fire.” -- “the Swamp Angel.” -- Gillmore's notice of bombardment. -- sharp and memorable reply of Gen. Beauregard. -- cowardly rejoicings in the North. -- the bombardment a failure. -- attempted demolition of Fort Sumter. -- how far the Fort was injured by the bombardment. -- Gillmore announces its reduction. -- the announcement false and absurd.Progress of the siege operations against Fort Wagner. -- a terrific fire opened upon it. -- surpassing grandeur of the scene. -- Gillmore plans another assault upon the Fort. -- the Confederates evacuate it and Morris Island. -- what Gen. Beauregard accomplished by the retention of Morris Island for two months. -- the Island not the key to Charleston. -- Admiral Dahlgren refuses to ascend the harbour with his iron-clads. -- he summons Fort Sumter to surrender. -- Beauregard's reply. -- a boat-attack on the Fort. -- its disastrous repulse. -- the enemy's operations against Charleston degenerate into a chronic and fruitless bombardment.Disappointment in the North
The most remarkable military event of the midsummer of 1863 was the successful defence of Charleston against a most imposing demonstration of the enemy's power by land and by sea. We have seen how unsuccessful was the naval attack upon this city in April, 1863. It was not long, however, before another attempt was planned upon Fort Sumter and Charleston, the steps of which were the military occupation of Morris Island and the establishment of batteries on that island to assist in the reduction of Fort Sumter. The establishment of these batteries and the reduction of the Confederate works-Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg--was a matter of
