THE FALL OF FORT PULASKI: Full Particulars of the Bombardment and Surrender; Arrival of the Steam-Transport McClellan with Prisoners (4/19/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/19/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The United States steamer McClellan, J.W. BOOTH, coming from Port Royal April l4, at 4 P.M., arrived yesterday.

Fort Pulaski is now in possession of the United States forces. The Stars and Bars have been supplanted by the Stars and Stripes.

The Seventh Connecticut Volunteers occupy the quarters so lately occupied by the First Georgia Volunteers.

On the morning of the 10th the preparations for the bombardment of the fort under Brig.-Gen. GILMORE, were completed, and a communication under flag of truce was forwarded to Col. OLMSTEAD, the Commander of Pulaski, demanding the unconditional surrender of the fort. To this Col. O. replied in a very gentlemanly and witty note, stating that he. was placed there " to defend, not to surrender the fort." Upon receipt of this, at 7:52 A.M. of the 10th, the batteries on Tybee opened fire. After firing a few rounds from the several batteries, a chance shot carried away the halliards on Pulaski, and the Confederate flag "kissed mother earth." At this point our fire slackened, our people not knowing but that the occupants of the fort were tiring of their sport, and had concluded to succumb. Presently, instead of the white flag, the Stars and Bars were once more seen, waving from a temporary flagstaff on the parapet. The batteries on Tybee recommenced with redoubled vigor, and the firing continued without cessation during the remainder of the day. Towards night, Gen. GILMORE being satisfied, (from the effects of the Parrott guns and James' projectiles during the day) of the practicability of breeching the walls, again slackened the firing in order to make arrangements for the planting of more guns at the Goat Point batteries, that point being the nearest to Pulaski, distant but 1,685 yards. From sunset till 12 midnight, there was no firing.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4055929/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Fall of Fort Pulaski: Full Particulars of the Bombardment and Surrender – 2-3
News from Washington: The Proposed Treaty Between the United States and Mexico – 3-4
The War in the Southwest: The Battle at Pittsburgh Landing – 4
The Field of Operations in the Cotton States – 5
Yorktown and Old Point: A Midnight Sortie by the Enemy in Heavy Force – 6
Gen. Banks Still Moving: Occupation of New-Market by His Forces – 6
Operations on the Mississippi: Reported Capture of Fort Wright by Commodore Foote’s Flotilla – 6
The Battle in New-Mexico: Full Particulars of the Affair – 6-7
The Mountain Department: Driving Out the Guerillas – 7
Our War Letters: Interesting Diary of Events on the Yorktown Peninsula – 7-9
Editorial: The Reduction of Fort Pulaski-Another Revolution in the Art of War – 9
Editorial: Gen. Hunter and the Slaves – 9-10
The Nashville-Worthlessness of the Blockade – 10
The Soldiers’ Battle – 10

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[sauropod]

Please add me to your ping list.

Thx!

[Nathan _in_Arkansas]

If you ever visit Savannah, you must go to Fort Pulaski. It still has the unexploded ordnance stuck in the brick walls.

The advent of the rifled artillery bore and conical ordnance changed the game of fort building.

It’s also the reason why the similar fort in Dry Tortugas, FL was never completely finished and put into commission.

Artillery technology developed quicker than wall construction and fort on Dry Tortugas was obsolete before it was completed.

[BroJoeK]

Here again is the summary of 100 Civil War engagements, as of April 19, 1862.
Total casualties almost 74,000 including over 8,200 killed in action.
Of 100 engagements, 60 were fought in Union states & territories, 40 in Confederate states.
Overall the Union won 45, Confederates won 40, with 15 inconclusive.
But in 1862's 26 engagements, the Union won 16, Confederates won 5, 5 more inconclusive.

Summary of Civil War Engagements as of April 19, 1862:
Engagements in Confederate states:

State	Union Victories	Confederate Victories	Inconclusive	Total Engagements
South Carolina	1	1	1	3
Virginia	5	11	7	23
North Carolina	3	1	0	4
Florida	1	0	0	1
Louisiana	1	1	0	2
Tennessee	3	1	0	4
Arkansas	1	0	1	2
Georgia	1	0	0	1
Total Engagements in CSA	16	15	9	40

Engagements in Union states/territories:

State	Union Victories	Confederate Victories	Inconclusive	Total Engagements
Maryland	1	0	1	2
West Virginia	9	2	2	13
Missouri	11	9	1	21
New Mexico	4	8	0	12
Kentucky	4	3	2	9
Oklahoma	0	3	0	3
Total Engagements in Union	29	25	6	60
Total Engagements to date	45	40	15	100

[BroJoeK]

"Editorial: Gen. Hunter and the Slaves – 9-10"

And yet again we see where the Civil War did, after all, have something to do with slavery.
Note Union Gen. Hunter's proclamation in South Carolina:

"All persons of color lately held to involuntary service by enemies of the United States, in Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island, GA., are hereby confiscated and declared free, in conformity with law, and shall hereafter receive the fruits of their own labor.
Such of said persons of color as are able bodied, and may be required, shall be emplolyed in the Quartermaster's Department, at the rates heretofore established by Brig. Gen. T.W. Sherman."

[Conan the Librarian]

I think they removed all the shells when they rebuilt the walls.

I’ve lived in Savannah all my life (well, at least until I retired a few years ago and we’ve gone cruising on the sailboat), visited the Fort frequently, and, have never heard that one.

My Uncle did find a shot on the beach where the Union batteries were placed. I HOPE they were all found as it has now been developed for housing.

[MplsSteve]

“If you ever visit Savannah, you must go to Fort Pulaski.”

Agreed. I was there in ‘93. Very enjoyable experience. A side-trip to Tybee island is worthwhile too.

Many people don’t know that a newly commissioned second lieutenant named Robert E Lee was responsible for the early construction of the fort on Cockspur Island.

[DiogenesLamp]

I am not interested in having a discussion in the Homer J. Simpson threads. They take far too long to load on my slow internet.

It is tedious waiting for it to finish loading and it just isn't worth the trouble for me.

[Nathan _in_Arkansas]

I lived in Savannah from 2009-2014. Those artillery rounds are definitely still in the damaged facade that wasn’t rebuilt.

[Conan the Librarian]

I had never heard that. I checked with a friend who worked there as a ranger and yes, there are 10 to 15 40 and 80 lb parrot shots still in the wall. Shells went right through.

They may or may not be live.