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[137]

The garrison of Fort Wagner was successfully withdrawn without loss, except some 40 prisoners, and later, the failure to blow up the magazines was sharply commented upon by General Beauregard. With so many men in the trenches, close to the work, an explosion would have resulted in great loss of life.

The day following the evacuation of Morris Island Admiral Dahlgren sent a demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter, and was informed that ‘he could have Sumter when he could take and hold it.’

The Weehawken was ordered on the night of the 7th to pass into a narrow, shoal, and tortuous channel between Sumter and Cummings Point, and in the attempt grounded and remained so for two tides. When her condition became known, Moultrie and other batteries on Sullivan's Island opened fire on her, as well as Fort Simkins on James Island. In returning the fire the Weehawken caused an explosion at Moultrie. One of her heavy shells struck and disabled an 8-inch columbiad, and glancing, fired a service magazine, killing 16 and wounding 12 men. Whilst aground she fired 36 shells at Moultrie and Bee and 46 at Sumter. She was struck 24 times, without material damage, and had 3 men wounded. The admiral, on board the Ironsides, and followed by the monitors, had moved up ‘to feel, and if possible, pass the obstructions north of Sumter.’ This force received a severe fire from the usual batteries, which was returned until it was thought best to give entire attention to the Weehawken. She was finally got afloat. In this affair Captain Rowan, in the Ironsides, did admirable service; one of the heaviest guns of the enemy was dismounted, and his fire, if not controlled, was much weakened. When only thirty shells remained, the anchor was weighed, firing kept up from all of the available guns, and she left unmolested,

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