Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

[337] were in position, Curtis was moved forward by the regiment, in double quick time, and formed line about five hundred yards from the fort, where his men lay down, scooping out shallow trenches with their hands and tin cups, to cover themselves from the fierce and increasing fire of musketry and artillery now pouring from the parapet. When Curtis moved from the outwork, Pennypacker was brought up to it, and Bell was moved into line, two hundred yards in Pennypacker's rear. It was now discovered that good cover could be found for Curtis on the reverse slope of a mound only fifty yards in the rear of the sharpshooters, and his men were again moved forward, one regiment at a time, and again covered themselves in trenches in the sand. Pennypacker followed Curtis, and occupied the ground vacated by him, and Bell was brought up to the outwork.

It had been proposed to blow up and cut down the palisades; bags of powder with fuses attached had been prepared, and a party of volunteer axemen organized; but the fire of the navy had been so effective during the preceding night and morning that it was thought unnecessary to use the powder. The axemen, however, were sent in with the leading brigade, and did good service by making openings in portions of the palisading which the guns of the navy had not been able to reach.

At 3.25 P. M. all the preparations were completed; the order to move forward was given by Ames; and the concerted signal was made to Porter to change the direction of his fire.

The vessels at once turned their guns upon the upper batteries; all the steam whistles were blown,