66

THE ARMY BEFORE CHARLESTON IN 1863.

THE MARSH BATTERY AFTER THE EXPLOSION OF THE “SWAMP ANGEL.” FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.

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THE MARSH BATTERY AFTER THE EXPLOSION OF' THE “ SWAMP ANGEL.” FROM A PHOTOGRAPH. i’6pj

the land forces after the naval repulse in September. General Elliott’s state- I]

ment that “ positive attacks were not made ” is strictly true, of course, because The

no semblance of an attack was made. The boat party seen was doubtless the ®Vei

regular patrol, larger probably than usual, according to the duty required of { i m

them that particular night. There existed no military reason at that time for hiei

risking an assault. The fort was destitute of cannon, could take no part in a tbal

defense against a fleet, and as an infantry outpost could be of no value to us full

if captured. It was heroically held by the enemy in a spirit of commendable Con

pride and audacity, and had been made very strong against capture by assault- kuo

An attacking column, even if it should gain possession of the parade of the ®Yo

work, could not reach the garrison in their subterranean galleries, protected by ( ‘on

heavy loop-holed doors, and, moreover, would be at the mercy of the enemy’s (i Xa.

guns on Sullivan’s Island and those on the east front of James Island. The con- To

trolling conditions differed essentially, now, from those which obtained when ®Xci

the surrender of the place was demanded by the admiral early in September. Sesg

At that time the capture of the parade carried with it that of the work. hea

While Fort Sumter was rapidly crumbling under our first cannonade the Was

evacuation of that work and of Morris Island was demanded, the condition of °f c

refusal being that fire would be opened on the city of Charleston . Existing °f 1

circumstances furnished a full justification for this step. Charleston had been hial

besieged for seven weeks, was occupied by the enemy’s troops and batteries, the

gun-boats had been built and were then building along its water front, and the eon

avenue of escape for non-combatants was open and undisputed. The demand the

being refused [see p. 17], the marsh battery, containing one 8-inch Parrott hio<

rifle, previously referred to as the “ Swamp Angel,” opened fire on the night he j

of August 21st. The gun burst on the second night at the thirty-sixth round- ^ltl;

Some of the projectiles reached a distance of about five and three-quarter j ^

miles. Firing on the city was subsequently resumed from Cumming’s Point- nigh

Fort Sumter was subjected to another severe cannonade of some days’ dura' &