INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTH: Details of the Siege of Charleston; The Bombardment and Evacuation of Forts Wagner and Gregg (9/15/1863)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 9/15/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

We have received Richmond papers as late as Sept. 11, from which we make up the following interesting summary:

THE SIEGE OP FORT WAGNER.

HIGHLY INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF THE BOMBARDMENT AND THE EVACUATION.

From the Charleston Mercury Sept. 7.

The dawn of Friday last revealed a large United States banner -- the hated flag of stars and stripes -- flaunting from a work of the enemy within one hundred and fifty yards of Wagner.

On the same morning, which, from imperfect information, we, in our last issue, erroneously reported as comparatively quiet, the enemy opened, just before 5 o'clock, with their Parrott guns upon that fort; firing first upon the flank curtain and gradually edging toward the centre. At 5 1/4 o'clock the Ironsides drew up within 1,500 yards, and commenced to shell with great rapidity. It was not until 8 3/4 o'clock that she retired, having kept up a continuous fire for more than two hours and a half. The loss sustained at Wagner by this fire fell principally upon the Twenty-fifth South Carolina volunteers.

During this day the enemy advanced their parallels only a very short distance from their main approach.

At three o'clock on Saturday the enemy again opened upon Wagner from all their land batteries, assisted by the Ironsides, several gunboats, and an occasional shot from the monitors. This bombardment -- beyond all doubt the most fierce and long continued which has taken place against Wagner since the beginning of the siege -- lasted throughout Saturday and Saturday night, and did not abate until Sunday morning at eight o'clock. Nor was this abatement of much duration. The fire was soon renewed, and was continued with little less vigor all Sunday, the Ironsides --

[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.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Interesting from the South: Details of the Siege of Charleston – 2-3
The Army of the Potomac: Gen. Pleasanton Still Advancing – 3
News from Washington – 4
Important Diplomatic Circular: A Letter from Secretary Seward to the Foreign Consuls Detailing the Progress of the National Arms from April, 1862, to August, 1863 – 4-6
Editorial: Mr. Seward’s Diplomatic Circular – 6-7
Editorial: The Policy of the Rebels-Our Present Duty – 7
Editorial: The Texas Expedition – 7
The Old Rebel Game – 7-8
Foreign News – 8
A Great Mistake – 8
Indignation against a Copperhead Congressman – 8
All the Indiana Troops Ordered to the Field – 8
Fire in the Philadelphia Navy-Yard – 8
The Draft in Cincinnati – 8
Amusements – 8