2

SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF FORT PULASKI.

I had been appointed chief engineer of the Expeditionary Corps, and in thatcapacity was directed by General T. W. Sherman, on the 29th of November, tomake an examination of Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski, and to report uponthe propriety of holding the island, and upon the practicability, and, if prac-ticable, on the best method, of reducing the fort. I reported that I deemedthe reduction of the work practicable with batteries of mortars and rifledguns established on Tybee Island, and recommended the occupation of theisland, adding some details concerning the disposition .of the batteries, theprecautions to be observed in their construction, and the intensity of the tireto be delivered by them. This project having been approved by GeneralSherman and by the higher authorities, the 46th New York Infantry, ColonelRosa commanding, took possession of the island early in December. InFebruary, 1862, they were reenforced by the addition of the 7tli ConnecticutInfantry, two companies of New York Volunteer Engineers, and two com-panies of the 3d Rhode Island Artillery, and all were placed under commandof Colonel (now Major-General) A. H. Terry, of the 7th Connecticut , By thelabor of these troops eleven batteries were constructed, at distances from thefort varying from 1650 to 3400 yards.

Tybee Island is mostly a mud marsh, like other marsh islands on thiscoast, varied, however, by ridges and hummocks of firm ground. The dis-tance along the north shore, from the landing-place to the advanced batteries,on the sand ridge above mentioned, is about two and a half miles. Over thelast mile, which is low and marshy, and within effective range of the guns ofFort Pulaski, was constructed a causeway of fascines and brushwood.

The work of unloading on the open beach the ordnance, implements, andequipments, and of transporting them to the batteries, was in charge ofLieutenant (afterward General) Horace Porter , and is thus described by him:

“ The heavy guns were landed by lowering them from the vessels into lighters having astrong decking built across their gunwales. They were towed ashore by row-boats at hig'h tide,often in a heavy surf, and careened by means of a rope from shore, manned by soldiers, uutilthe piece rolled off. At low tide this was dragged above high-water mark.

“ For the purpose of transporting the 13-inch mortars, weighing 17,000 pounds, a pair ofskids was constructed of timber ten inches square and twenty feet long, held together by threecross-pieces, notched on. One end of the skids was lashed close under the axle of a large sling-cart, with the other end resting on the ground. The mortar was rolled up by means of ropesuntil it reached the middle of the skids and chocked. Another large sling-cart was run overthe other end of the skids, which was raised by the screw, forming a temporary four-wheeledwagon. Two hundred and fifty men were required to move it over the difficult roads by whichthe batteries were reached.

“ I can pay no greater tribute to the patriotism of the 7tli Connecticut Volunteers, the troopsgenerally furnished me for this duty, than to say that, when the sling-carts frequently sank totheir hubs in the marshes, and had to be extricated by unloading the mortar, rolling it upon

J No. 1, 3 heavy 13-inch mortars.3400 yards.“ 2, 3 “ “ “ .3200 “

“ 3, 3 10-inch Coluinbiads . 3100 “

“ 4,3 8-inch “ ...3045 “

“ 5, 1 heavy 13-inch mortar .2790 “

“ 6, 3 “ “ “ .2600 “

“ 7, 2 “ “ “ .2400 “

‘‘ 8, 3 10-in.Col’b’dsandl 8-in.1740 “

No. 9, 5 30-pounder Parrott riflesand 148-pounder Jamesrifle (old 24-pounder) 1670 yards.“ To, 2 84-pounder James rifles(old 42-pounders), and2 64-pounder Jamesrifles (old 32-pounders) 1650 “

“ 11, 4 10-inch siege mortars . 1650 “