CHAPTER III.

Isolation, bombardment, and reduction of Fort Pulaski.

Ten minutes past eight o'clock on the morning of the tenth of April, 1862, the first gun was heard which betokened the commencement of the memorable and disastrous bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Almost a year had elapsed since the reduction of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, when the flag of the United States, which had so long floated in pride from its ramparts, went down in smoke and ruin before the rising glories of the stars and bars of the new born Confederacy. A little more than five months. before, and at almost the same hour in the morning, we had listened with anxious hearts to the terrific cannonading which silenced our batteries at Port Royal.

The winter was gone, and spring with genial smiles and soft influences had given to every tree its most attractive foliage, to every flower its sweetest perfumes, to the sky its purest tints, and to the ambient air its gentlest impulses. Everything in nature was arrayed in living green, and redolent of life and beauty. Even the low-lying marshes had shaken off the dull gray of winter, and were rejoicing in new life and vigor imparted by the swelling tide, and the clear sunbeams shedding their warmth and light over all. The scene was so tranquil, so full of nature and that serenity characteristic of her happiest hours, it was of

all things most difficult to realize that the iron wheels of the chariot of war were thundering at our gates, and the lawless passions of men conspiring against the peace of their fellows, and the harmony of nature. Yet thus it was. From our encampment we could distinctly note the explosions of the shells, hear the reports of the guns, and frequently recognize whether they were directed at or from the fort. For the first hour the firing from the Federal batteries appeared to be slow and uncertain, their mortar shells exploding too high and at unequal distances. So soon, however, as the range had been obtained, the firing became more rapid and effective. The horizon was flecked with white clouds, apparently springing out of nothing, at first mere points in space, then gradually expanding and growing less distinct, until finally mingling with the circumambient air they floated gently away and were lost to sight. It was difficult at this remove to realize the fact that these innocent looking little white puffs, so evanescent in their character, had any connection with the death-dealing projectiles hurled with terrible effect from the iron-bound throats of hoarse Parrott guns, and hoarser Columbiads and mortars. The bombardment during the day continued without intermission, although the reports were less audible as the sun reached and lingered near the meridian.

In the afternoon some of us rode over to Skidaway island and remained until nearly sunset, watching the progress of the bombardment from the top of the traverse of the lower battery. With the aid of a field glass everything could be distinctly seen. The smoke of the guns from the batteries on either side rose in heavy white volumes, now almost hiding the fort from view, and now lining the low-lying shores of Tybee island. No signs of breaching could be perceived in the

walls of the fort looking in our direction. Everything seemed to be in good working order, and we did not for one moment contemplate a speedy reduction of one of the strongest defenses on the Confederate coast. A constant explosion of shells above and around the fort. gave token of the dangers which environed the heroic garrison. Several war-vessels were lying in the vicinity, or leisurely moving about, but they did not appear to be taking an active part in the engagement. Sometimes eight reports could be counted in a minute, and the firing increased in rapidity as the declining sun neared the western horizon.

During the night the firing continued at regular intervals, and the flashes of the bursting mortar shells were plainly visible from Camp Claghorn. With the light of the morning the bombardment was renewed with redoubled energy, continuing until two o'clock P. M., when it ceased. This silence - ominous of disaster and mortification to ourselves-gave birth in our minds only to the belief that the Federals had been compelled to discontinue their efforts to reduce our cherished fort. Never for one moment did we conjecture that its stout walls had yielded, or its garrison surrendered. To the members of the Chatham Artillery Fort Pulaski was peculiarly dear. We were of the first to occupy it, when, under the orders of Governor Brown, it was deemed proper to take possession of it in the name of the state of Georgia. We had contributed months of cheerful labor in mounting its guns, in placing its armament in proper position, in preparing fuzes, filling shells, throwing up traverses, in training its guns and in perfecting ourselves, and in assisting in drilling the members of other companies composing its garrison in the manual of the respective pieces constituting its battery. We

had spent days of toil and nights of watching within its walls. Hours of pleasure and of mirth had been enjoyed within its hospitable casemates. We had marked it growing in strength day by day, until we came to believe that it was invincible by almost any force that could be sent against it. But a few months had elapsed since we were a component part of the garrison, to whom were committed its sacred defense and the honor of our arms. No wonder then that the progress of the bombardment was observed by the Chatham Artillery with a peculiar interest. No wonder the members of this company looked forward with confidence to a successful issue. No marvel that the unexpected and early surrender of the fort affected them most sensibly. The first intelligence of that sad and disastrous fact was not credited in our camp.

At the time of the surrender of Fort Pulaski, its armament consisted of

2 twenty-four-pounder Blakely rifle guns.

1 twenty-four-pounder iron howitzer.

2 twelve-pounder bronze howitzers.

2 twelve-inch iron mortars.

3 ten-inch sea-coast mortars.

1 six-pounder gun.

Total, forty-eight guns of all calibres.

Of these, the following bore upon the Federal batteries on Tybee island:

1 twenty-four-pounder Blakely rifle gun.

2 ten-inch sea-coast mortars.

In Casemate.

1 eight-inch Columbiad.

4 thirty-two-pounder guns.

In Batteries outside the Fort.

1 ten-inch sea-coast, mortar.

2 twelve-inch sea-coast mortars. Making a total of twenty pieces.

Of these, however, sufficient elevation to reach Tybee island could not be secured with the eight-inch Columbiad in casemate. Only a few shots were fired from it, and these falling short, the use of this gun was discontinued during the progress of the bombard

ment.

Opposed to the fort, and located upon Tybee island, were eleven Federal batteries, named and armed as follows:

1. Battery Stanton; 3,400 yards distant, mounting three heavy thirteen-inch mortars.

2. Battery Grant; 3,200 yards distant, mounting three heavy thirteen-inch mortars.

3. Battery Lyon; 3,100 yards distant, mounting three teninch Columbiads.

4. Battery Lincoln; 3,045 yards distant, mounting three eight-inch Columbiads.

5. Battery Burnside; 2,750 yards distant, mounting one thirteen-inch mortar.

6. Battery Sherman; 2,650 yards distant, mounting three thirteen-inch mortars.

7. Battery Halleck; 2,400 yards distant, mounting two thirteen-inch mortars.

8. Battery Scott; distant 1,740 yards, mounting three teninch and one eight-inch Columbiads.