by connecting their heads, about 100 yards, and are now about 600 yards from these works, though with no guns apparently as yet mounted in their advanced position. 4 p. m. No firing by enemy up to this time, excepting from sharpshooters; ours fire with great spirit and believed effect. The 5 p. m. The enemy's land batteries have opened briskly. wheel of the 32-pounder carronade, having been knocked to pieces, has been replaced by a wheel from a gun some time since dismounted. 8 p. m. Fire from enemy's batteries still going on slowly. Battery Gregg replying. Colonel Harrison arrived with orders to relieve me. Effective strength same as yesterday. Three casualties to-day-too slight to go to hospital. Capt. W. F. NANCE, JOHNSON HAGOOD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS FORCES, MORRIS ISLAND, GENERAL: This morning at 2 o'clock I relieved Colonel Keitt in command of this post. The reports of the chief of artillery and engineer in charge will show in detail the condition of this fort, as they are herewith sent.* It will suffice to say, in general terms, that the defensive powers of the fort are not materially impaired, and its armament, such as it is, is in fair condition. I find, however, the 10-inch gun, which has heretofore done such good service, disabled beyond the means of repair at hand, and the banded rifle on the sea face has been disabled and replaced by a smooth 32-pounder. Our means of reply to the fleet are therefore limited to one 10-inch gun. There are some deficiencies in the supply of ordnance, which will be brought to the attention of the department by the proper officer. His report is also inclosed. There are but about two and a half days' rations on the island. Without at least ten days' supply, it will be difficult to obey the standing order to defend the fort to the last extremity, should communication with the city be destroyed. This matter was brought to your attention this morning at 2.20, by telegraph. The enemy have pushed their approaches to within 450 yards of the fort, and are steadily and rapidly pushing on. The only means of retarding their progress at our disposal is night fire from the artillery of the land face, and sharpshooters (about 100) during the day. Both so far have done, I am informed, but little to retard them. They are pushing their sap, with a roller at the head. Day fire has also been used to some extent from the land face. This, however, is very much controlled by the superiority of the enemy's fire. *For Captain Gregorie's reports of this date, thus referred to, see No. 28, p. 502, post. Having thus briefly brought to your attention the condition of Fort Wagner upon my taking command, I beg leave to submit the journal of operations from my arrival to 8 p. m. this day: At 2.30 a. m., opened fire on the enemy's advanced works from the 8-inch sea-coast howitzer on curtain outside of rear gorge, the 8-inch siege howitzer on salient, the 8-inch naval gun and the 32-pounder on land face. The enemy responded promptly and with great vigor. The fire was continued by us until daylight. The fire of the enemy ceased soon after ours. At an early hour, the enemy opened a rapid fire at Battery Gregg and Fort Sumter. At 9.30 o'clock a portion of their fire was directed against Battery Wagner. At about 10 a. m., we opened fire from the 8-inch siege howitzer upon the advanced working parties of the enemy. The fire on part of enemy's sharpshooters increased in rapidity. Flag of truce from the enemy at 12 m. A monitor passed Battery Wagner, and opened fire at Fort Sumter, Battery Gregg replying. Át 2.30 o'clock, opened fire from 8-inch sea-coast howitzer; fired 3 shots at troops on beach. At 3.30 p. m., opened fire from 8-inch shell gun on land face on the advanced lines of the enemy. At 4.15 p. m., two wooden gunboats opened fire on us, to which we replied with a few shots from the 10-inch columbiad. The heavy land batteries opened upon us later in the afternoon, the Ironsides also participating. The fire became very severe, and continued until dusk. Shortly after the fire ceased, our riflemen in the pits commenced a rapid fire. They were immediately re-enforced, and defeated the efforts of the enemy to get possession of the pits. I regret to have to announce the death of Captain Pringle, of Lucas' battalion. He died at his post, nobly discharging his duties. I inclose list of casualties and report from Battery Gregg.* Respectfully submitted. Capt. W. F. NANCE, JOHNSON HAGOOD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General. *Not identified. [Inclosure.] OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Brigadier-General HAGOOD, Commanding on Morris Island: GENERAL: I beg leave to submit the following report of effective [strength] of command on Morris Island: CAPTAIN: Immediately after nightfall on yesterday, I repaired the damage done the 8-inch howitzer on the salient, by appropriating a wheel of a disabled limber. The enemy fired but little during the night; there was no firing on our side, owing to the amount of work to be done by fatigue parties, which consumed the night. At an early hour, two monitors came abreast of Battery Wagner and opened fire, which was kept up for about two hours, when they withdrew. About an hour after their withdrawal, the Ironsides took position opposite Battery Wagner, and commenced a rapid fire, which she continued for nearly two hours, when she was joined by two monitors, which engaged in the bombardment. At 2 p. m. they all withdrew. Fire was opened by us, from the 8-inch shell gun and a 32-pounder from the land face, upon the advanced works of the enemy, about 6 a. m., which was continued at short intervals for one hour and a half. We did not return the fire from the Ironsides and monitors, as it was not deemed advisable to engage them at such long range. The fire from the fleet, enfilading the land face and proving destructive, compelled us to cease firing. As soon as the vessels withdrew, the sharpshooters resumed their work. Last night, as briefly mentioned in yesterday's journal, an attempt was made to seize by assault our rifle-pits, and the enemy succeeded in establishing themselves within 20 yards of them before we could re-enforce our men. The re-enforcements, however, under Lieut. Col. O. M. Dantzler, Twentieth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, drove their line back, and held nearly our original vedette stations during the night. It is but simple justice to mention the decision and promptitude with which Colonel Dantzler accomplished his purpose, as well as to acknowledge the unfailing zeal and gallantry with which he has served at this post during his whole tour of duty here. The colonel was shot through the breast of his coat while pushing forward his vedettes. The enemy's sap was advanced during last night to McMillan's burned house, and I regret to say that our fire to-day appears to have . produced no other effect than to prevent much visible progress being made either forward or in completion of last night's work. It was in an imperfect state, and made of gabions and sand-bags, and I had hoped by our fire to have knocked so much of it to pieces. A flag of truce was sent out at dawn to deliver a communication from General Beauregard to General Gillmore. The damage to the fort will require all night to repair, and, consequently, I do not propose to inaugurate night fire from the fort, but I have strengthened the force in the rifle-pits, and propose to retard the enemy's work with infantry fire from these, as far as practicable. Casualties, 25, of which 4 killed. Effective strength : Commissary reports about seven days' rations. They are being issued to the troops. From the manner in which the enemy's sap is being pushed, there is imminent danger of their flanking to-night or to-morrow our chain of rifle-pits, and forcing their abandonment. My engineer has not been able to suggest a counter move. This appears to me to be a matter of great importance. Cannot the chief engineer come over to-night? The report from Battery Gregg is herewith sent.* Very respectfully submitted. Capt. W. F. NANCE, JOHNSON HAGOOD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General. *See Gilchrist's report of August 22, No. 48, p. 548, post. BATTERY WAGNER, August 23, 1863. CAPTAIN: The enemy during the last night succeeded, notwithstanding the constant fire of our pickets, in extending their works about 40 yards. At as early an hour this morning as the fog would permit, we opened fire from an 8-inch shell gun, a 32-pounder and a 42-pounder carronade from our land face. This fire was continued at intervals during the day. We succeeded in destroying the work of the night almost entirely. The land batteries of the enemy replied in the morning and again during the afternoon. A little after 7 a. m. the Ironsides opened fire. We replied slowly with our 10-inch columbiad, and, with the assistance of Battery Gregg, succeeded in forcing her to retire in an hour and a quarter. She was frequently struck. One of her boats was disengaged and fell into our hands. A flag of truce from the enemy was met about 12 m., with communications for commanding general and certain consuls. During the night all damages done the battery, none of which were serious, were repaired. The enemy has been busy during the day repairing damages done his lines by our fire, and strengthening his advanced lines. The carriages of both 8-inch shell guns are almost disabled and can only be used in case of emergency. For one, both carriage and chassis are needed; for the other, a carriage and tongue of chassis. These are very important guns. We are much retarded in our operations for want of 32-pounder shell and solid shot, for which frequent requisitions have been made. Casualties, 7 wounded, two of which were in the rifle-pits, by a shell from Battery Simkins. I regret to report among the wounded the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Gaillard, of the Charleston Battalion. His hand and wrist were so shattered by a shell as to render amputation necessary. The loss of the services of so efficient and brave a man at this crisis is a serious calamity. I shall endeavor to-night to do some work upon the right flank of the rifle-pits, to meet the threatening approach of the enemy's sap at that point. I would have been glad, however, had some engineer officer of experience (if not the chief, as requested last night) been sent down today. The engineer officer here has been unable to suggest anything. Effective strength as reported yesterday, with exception of a few sick sent off, and casualties. Among the sick is Lieutenant [John A.] Keith, Lucas' battalion. Another lieutenant should be sent, as it leaves important guns in charge of non-commissioned officers. Respectfully submitted. Capt. W. F. NANCE, JOHNSON HAGOOD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General. [P. S.]-A separate statement relative to flag of truce communications sent.* Report from Battery Gregg inclosed. † *See "Correspondence, etc.," Part II. See Gilchrist's report of August 23, No. 48, p. 548, post. |