Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 3

[341] was not captured because the parapet was reached. Whiting and Lamb brought up their men, encouraging and cheering them to heroic efforts. The huge traverses were used for breastworks, and over their tops the contending parties fired into each other's faces, while Porter with his iron-clads opened from the sea on those still occupied by the enemy. The bomb-proofs now swarmed with rebel soldiers, and between them the infantry was stationed to protect the gunners and obstruct the national assault; but Ames's men charged up the embankment and met the enemy in hand-to-hand encounters at almost every step. They fired into the bomb-proofs, and the rebels came out, like rats from a sinking ship. They charged over the traverses and around the inner ends, and either drove the rebels from their positions or killed or captured them, and carried three, four, five, six of the traverses in an hour.

Meanwhile, at about four o'clock, Hoke, doubtless perceiving the movement against the fort, advanced upon Terry's northern line, apparently with the design of attacking it, and thus relieving the garrison. But, if this was his intention, it was speedily abandoned, and, after slight skirmishing with the national pickets, the rebel command withdrew. Terry now requested Porter to reinforce the troops on the outer line with Breese's sailors and marines. The admiral promptly complied, and Terry was able to bring Abbott's brigade and a regiment of colored troops to the southern front. These troops arrived at dusk, and reported to Ames.

The whole command was now fighting like lions,