Capture of Jackson Mississippi

 

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Civil War Harper's Weekly, August 15, 1863

This site features the Harper's Weekly newspapers published during the Civil War. The material allows you to examine details of the War not available from modern publications. These newspapers will take you back in time to the days the war was still raging on.

(Scroll Down to See Entire Page, or Newspaper Thumbnails below will take you to the page of interest)

 

John Morgan's Raid

Morgan's Raid

Colored Soldiers

Treatment of Colored Soldiers

Martial Law

Martial Law

Seabrook Island

Seabrook Island

Siege of Charleston

Jackson Mississippi

Jackson Mississippi

Colonel Shaw

Colonel Robert Shaw

Capture of Jackson

Capture of Jackson Mississippi

Attack on Charleston

Maryland Campaign

Maryland Campaign

Remington Revolver Cartoon

 

 

 

 

 

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

[AUGUST 15, 1863.

526

(Previous Page) on over hot sand-ridges, up the beach, across shell-banks and oyster-beds, regardless of the style of footing. This conduct pleased the troops amazingly, and the column moved on slowly and silently up the beach without arousing any one till they arrived within two hundred yards of the fort, when a charge was ordered.

General Strong went up to the men at the proper moment and said, "Fire low, and trust in God! Forward, the Connecticut Seventh!" And away they went at a double-quick, with their General at their head. The fort opened with three 8-inch howitzers, heavily charged with grape and canister. Another and a third round plowed among them; but still the survivors pressed on, passed the ditch, and stood on the parapet masters of the situation.

For the gallantry of this charge the following was added to the Commanding General's congratulatory order:

Special thanks are due to Brigadier-General George C. Strong and his command for the heroic gallantry with which they carried the enemy's batteries on Morris Island; this being the first instance during the war in which powerful batteries have been assaulted successfully by a column disembarked under a heavy artillery fire.

He was placed in command of the troops on Morris Island, and given charge of the column which was to assault Fort Wagner on the evening of 18th. The correspondents say that before the attack General Strong addressed the troops in a few words of fire, which inspirited them so that they felt "like tigers in the attack." The Herald correspondent thus narrates the fearful struggle:

Strong's brigade marched in column up past the right of our batteries, then deployed and advanced in line a short distance, then deployed again and marched up the beach in close column. Fort Sumter saw the movement, and pitched her shells over among the troops. When the brigade, led by their gallant General, had got two-thirds the distance to the fort the rebels in Fort Wagner came out in full strength. A thousand muskets flashed almost together, and poured a deadly fire into our troops. The guns were brought to bear on them, and grape and canister hailed down upon them. With a shout they advanced, at a word from the General, on a double-quick, unfalteringly, directly up into that terrible fire. Musketry rattled, Sumter's shells burst all around them, bullets whistled, canister hummed, grape plowed along the ground, the fort was lighted up almost constantly with the fire from howitzers, rifles, and muskets—not in fitful flashes, but with steady, gleaming sheets of flame. They never staggered —never wavered—did not stop for the many who fell or listen to the moans of the wounded. They reached the ditch and crossed it—some on planks, some rushing down in and toiling up, some seeking a better entrance to the left, where the ditch was, however, filled with water. As they were making the crossing howitzers in the bastions kept up a raking fire, prostrating many bodies, but not deterring the mass. Over they went, and clambered up the parapets; but the grape met them every where, sweeping the ditch, the curtains outside, the parapets above; and the rebel infantry, seeing all but unseen themselves, peppered them with bullets and gave no chance to respond effectually. The majority of the troops struggled on manfully and charged down over the parapet, driving all before them. There was certain danger now in retreating, uncertain danger in staying or advancing. The rebels had been driven from one corner over a traverse, and the Sixth Connecticut's colors were planted on the parapet.

Just as the parapet was gained, a shot struck General Strong in the thigh, and he fell. He was carried out of the fight by his men, and sent to hospital. Thence transferred to a steamer he was brought here; but the wound was more severe than his enfeebled constitution could bear. On his arrival here he was attacked by lock-jaw, and died on 30th ult.

In him the country has lost one of her noblest and best soldiers.

THE LATE COLONEL SHAW.

WE publish on page 525 a portrait of the late COLONEL SHAW, who was killed at the head of his regiment, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers (colored), in the recent attack on Fort Wagner.

Robert G. Shaw was a son of Francis G. Shaw, of Staten Island, and was twenty-seven years of age at the time of his death. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted as a private in the Seventh Regiment. On their return home he obtained a commission in the Massachusetts Second, and took part in all the battles in which that fighting regiment was engaged. Twice—at Cedar Mountain, and again at Antietam—he narrowly escaped a severe wound. On the formation of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Colored Regiment the Colonelcy was tendered to Captain Shaw by Governor Andrew; and the universal report is that no finer regiment ever left the Bay State than the thousand men whom he led to the war. Colonel Shaw took part in the first attack on Morris Island, which secured us command of most of the Island. His subsequent performance is so well described in the following letter from Mr. Edward L. Pearce to Governor Andrew that we give it entire:

When the troops left St. Helena they were separated, the Fifty-fourth going to James Island. While it was there, General S. received a letter from Colonel Shaw, in which tile desire was expressed for the transfer of the Fifty-fourth to General S.'s brigade. So when the troops were brought away from James Island General S. took this regiment into his command. It left James Island on Thursday, July 16, at 9 A.M., and marched to Cole's Island, which they reached at 4 o'clock on Friday morning, marching all night, most of the way in single file, over swampy and muddy ground. There they remained during the day, with hard tack and coffee for their fare, and this only what was left in their haversacks, not a regular ration.

From 11 o'clock of Friday evening until 4 o'clock of Saturday they were being put on the transport, the General Hunter, in a boat, which took about fifty at a time. There they breakfasted on the same fare, and had no other food before entering into the assault on Fort Wagner in the evening.

The General Hunter left Cole's Island for Folly Island at 6 A.M., and the troops landed at Pawnee Landing about 9 1/2 A.M., and thence marched to the point opposite Morris Island, reaching there about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. They were transported in a steamer across the inlet, and at 4 P.M. began their march for Fort Wagner. They reached Brigadier-General Strong's quarters, about midway on the island, about 6 or 6 1/2 o'clock. where they halted for five minutes. I saw them there, and they looked worn and weary.

General Strong expressed a great desire to give them food and stimulants, but it was too late, as they were to lead the charge. They had been without tents during the pelting rains of Thursday and Friday nights. General Strong had been impressed with the high character of the regiment and its officers, and he wished to assign them the post where the most severe work was to be done and the highest honor was to be won. I had been his guest for some days, and knew how he regarded them. The march across Folly and Morris islands was over a very sandy road, and was very wearisome. The regiment went through the centre of the island, and not along the beach, where the marching was easier.

When they had come within 600 yards of Fort Wagner they formed in line of battle, the Colonel heading the first

and the Major the second battalion. This was within musket-shot of the enemy. There was little firing from the enemy, a solid shot falling between the battalions, and another falling to the right, but no musketry. At this point the regiment, together with the next supporting regiments, the Sixth Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and others remained half an hour. The regiment was addressed by General Strong and Colonel Shaw. Then at half past seven or three-quarters past seven o'clock the order for the charge was given. The regiment advanced at quick time, changed to double-quick when at some distance on.

The intervening distance between the place where the line was formed and the fort was run over in a few minutes. When within one or two hundred yards of the fort a terrific fire of grape and musketry was poured upon them along the entire line, and with deadly results. It tore the ranks to pieces and disconcerted some. They rallied again, went through the ditch, in which was some three feet of water, and then up the parapet. They raised the flag on the parapet, where it remained a few minutes. Here they melted away before the enemy's fire, their bodies falling down the slope and into the ditch. Others will give a more detailed and accurate account of what occurred during the rest of the conflict.

Colonel Shaw reached the parapet, leading his men, and was probably killed. Adjutant Jones saw him fall. Private Thomas Burgess, of Company I, told me that he was close to Colonel Shaw; that he waved his sword and cried out, "Onward, boys!" and, as he did so, fell. Burgess fell, wounded, at the same time. In a minute or two, as he rose to crawl away, he tried to pull Colonel Shaw along, taking hold of his feet, which were near his own head, but there appeared to be no life in him. There is a report, however, that Colonel Shaw is wounded and a prisoner, and that it was so stated to the officers who bore a flag of truce from us; but I can not find it well authenticated. It is most likely that this noble youth has given his life to his country and to mankind. Brigadier-General Strong (himself a kindred spirit) said of him to-day in a message to his parents: "I had but little opportunity to be with him, but I already loved him. No man ever went more gallantly into battle. None knew him but to love him."

I parted with Colonel Shaw between six and seven on Saturday evening, as he rode forward to his regiment, and he gave me the private letters and papers he had with him to be delivered to his father.

I asked General Strong if he had any testimony in relation to the regiment to be communicated to you. These are his precise words, and I give them to you as I noted them at the time:

"The Fifty-fourth did well and nobly, only the fall of Colonel Shaw prevented them from entering the fort. They moved up as gallantly as any troops could, and with their enthusiasm they deserved a better fate."

One who knew him well wrote of him, most truthfully:

It was that rare quality that commands at once the love and obedience of men that peculiarly fitted Colonel Shaw for a commander. Of a most genial and kindly nature, of manners as gentle as a woman's, of a native refinement that brooked nothing coarse, of a clear moral insight that no evil association could tarnish, of a strength of purpose aiming always at noble ends, of a courage quiet but cheerful and unwavering, he was one of those characters which attracts, and at the same time moulds all others brought under their influence. Even this was observed of him when only a second lieutenant in the Second Massachusetts; how much more has it been shown in the Fifty-fourth! This country has lost in him one of its best soldiers, and one of its most promising men.

Colonel Shaw was only about twenty-seven years of age, and was married a few weeks before he joined the army of the South.

GENERAL QUINCY A. GILMORE.

WE publish on page 525 a portrait of GENERAL GILMORE, the commander of our army near Charleston, from a photograph by Lieutenant Haas.

General Gilmore was born in Ohio, about thirty-six years ago. He entered the Military Academy at West Point in 1845, and graduated in 1849, at the head of a class of 43 members. He was appointed to the Engineers, and was promoted to a First Lieutenancy in 1856, and to a Captaincy in 1861. From 1849 to 1852 he was engaged on the fortifications at Hampton Roads; from 1852 to 1856 he was instructor of Practical Military Engineering at West Point, and during this time he designed the new Riding School on the crest of the Hill. He served from 1856 to 1861 as Purchasing Agent for the department in New York, and made many friends here. In 1861 he was assigned to the staff of General Sherman, and accompanied him to Port Royal. General Sherman appointed him Brigadier-General of Volunteers—a rank which the President made haste to confirm. General Gilmore had entire charge of the siege operations against Fort Pulaski, and it is to his skill that the success of the bombardment is due. It was very truly said of him: "The result of the efforts to breach a fort of such strength and at such a distance confers high honor on the engineering skill and self-reliant capacity of General Gilmore. Failure in an attempt made in opposition to the opinion of the ablest engineers in the army would have destroyed him. Success, which in this case is wholly attributable to his talent, energy, and independence, deserves a corresponding reward."

That reward be won. On the failure of Admiral Du Pont's first naval attack on Charleston he was superseded by Admiral Dahlgren, and General Hunter by General Gilmore. The latter at once commenced his attack on Charleston, proceeding to land on Morris Island and advance on Fort Wagner with his customary energy and caution. How well he has succeeded our news is there to tell. He believes that he will take Charleston, and those who know him best are satisfied that he will not be disappointed.

THE CAPTURE OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

WE publish on page 524 an illustration of our works before Jackson, Mississippi, with the rebel works in the back-ground, from a sketch by Captain Achenbach of the Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteers. As every one knows the place was evacuated within forty-eight hours after our picture was taken. The Herald correspondent thus describes the appearance of the place after we entered:

It would beggar description to attempt to portray the appearance of Jackson after the rebels retreated. Destruction was visible on all hands. Our own army, on its first visit to Jackson, destroyed much valuable property; and, to complete the catalogue, the rebels burned up fifty or sixty buildings on the street fronting the Capital, on the ground of military necessity, to accomplish the destruction of large quantities of army stores which they were not able to transport in their retreat. The day was

sultry, scarcely a current of fresh air being felt, and the smoke from the ruins of the fires coursed along through the principal streets, making a trip through the city decidedly uncomfortable.

HUMORS OF THE DAY.

APPALLING AND MYSTERIOUS.—A gentleman (?) and his wife took lodgings some time since in a street not far from Broadway. One morning the gentleman went out, apparently alone, and did not return. On subsequently searching the room, the landlady was horrified on discovering that her lodger had taken his better-half with him, and left his quarters. Surgical aid was called in, but too late to be of any assistance.

ART MANUFACTURES.—The other day a gentleman holding an official position gave a rising young modeler his countenance. The ungrateful youth has since made use of the mug for drinking purposes.

EDUCATION—It is the part of a virtuous government to give good instruction to vice. In the great metropolis we are often taught a moral lesson by the sight of a young thief being brought up by a policeman.

SAUCE FROM A GANDER.—A foolish friend of ours declares that the discovery of the source of the Nile would in the Dark Ages have been called an act of source-ry.

A COOL THING FOR THE WARM WEATHER.—Running into the Bank and inquiring if they can oblige you with change for five cents.

SONGS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.—THE MAT.
AIR—"Pray, Goody."

Be good enough to wipe your shoes, I'll thank you, for it's wrong

To splash those marks injurious which arise, Remember where the mat is placed, the prejudice is strong

In favor of the friction it supplies.

Rub then, scrub then,

Your boots, nor at your club then,

Imagine you can take your mud up stairs before our eyes.

So be good enough, etc.

THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.—Has she much tin?

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Wakeimup.—Of course; he was a very rude man, indeed, to pass a sleepless night without even nodding.

Molly Cuddle.—Standing on your head in a pail of boiling water may be comforting, but is hardly to be recommended except in extreme cases.

Pops wants to know if, when distance lent enchantment to the view, the loan was ever returned? We hardly think so; most probably it was left a loan.

NOVEL DISEASE.—The gentleman who caught a train is recovering.

In what case is it absolutely impossible to be slow and sure?—In the case of a watch.

At a hotel table one day, one boarder remarked to his neighbor, "This must be a healthy place for chickens." "Why so?" asked the other. "Because I never see any dead ones hereabouts."

A man, not long since, committed suicide by drowning. As the body could not be found, the coroner held an inquest on his hat and bottle, found on the bank of the river. Verdict, "Found empty."

The proprietor of a bone mill advertises that those sending their own bones to be ground will be attended to with punctuality and dispatch.

Jones complained of a bad smell about the post-office, and asked Brown what it could be? Brown didn't know, but suggested that it might be caused by "the dead letters."

What is drinking?—Suicide of the mind.

"After you," as the tea-kettle said to the dog's tail.

"More work and less noise," as the lady's watch said when it beat St. Paul's.

A secretary being asked by an intimate friend why he did not promote merit, aptly replied, "Because merit did not promote me."

ADVICE.—Philosophical physic, pleasant to give but unpleasant to take.

PRIDE.—The mist that vapors round insignificance. "By your leaves, gentlemen," as the winds said to the trees in autumn.

Why would tying a slow horse to a post improve his pace?—Because it would be a way to make him fast.

"I never did see such a wind and such a storm," said a man in a coffee-room. "And pray, Sir," inquired a would-be wit, "since you saw the wind and the storm, what might their color be?" "The wind blew and the storm rose," was the ready rejoinder.

"Little boys should be seen and not heard." That's what a little fellow told his teacher when the could't say his lesson.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Piles   Piles!

Dr. Witfield's Vegetable Pills are a CERTAIN CURE for Blind and Bleeding Piles. The worst cases yield after one or two boxes. No surgical operation nor external application should be resorted to; such treatment only aggravates the disease. Testimonials from ladies and gentlemen of the highest respectability can be seen at the Office. Price 50 cents per box. Sent by mail to any part of the country. Sold at all the druggists, and by the proprietor,

   J. YOUNG, 481 Broadway, N. Y.

French (Soltaire) Patterns.

These fashionable goods are made of the finest Ivory, and brought to a high polish of all colors, Black, White, Red, Blue, &c., and engraved with Initial Letters, Old English, &c. Complete sets $1.50, free by mail. Trade supplied.

   JOHN F. PHELPS, 429 Broadway, New York.

Sight and Hearing.—Dr. Von Moschzisker, the only legitimate European OCULIST and AURIST in the country, has his OFFICE 1027 WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA, where he can be consulted on DEAFNESS and all maladies of the EYE and EAR.

Gas Stoves for Cooking and Heating.

Eagle Gas Stoves.

   Patented July 1st, 1862.

These Stoves contain the latest improvements. No Dirt, Smoke, or Ashes,

Will do COOKING or HEATING CHEAPER than COAL Or WOOD.

Every Stove is Warranted.

Depot 474 Broadway, N. Y.

H. D. BLAKE, Sole Manufacturer.

$1 WATCHES $1

AND JEWELRY

The only chance offered to get good jewelry for One Dollar, and get what you want. Send 20 cents for blank certificate and catalogue, giving the name of every article, and make your own selection.

H. BLISS & CO., 82 & 84 Nassau Street, N. Y.

A RICH NUMBER.

The Phrenological Journal for August, now ready, contains: George Gordon Meade, Phrenological Character and Biography; Estimates of Character; The Law of Development; The Unity of Man; The American Man; Physiognomy—Noses; Phrenology and the Poets; Something about Lions; Republican Manners; The Secret of Longevity; Admiral Foote, Phrenological Character and Biography; Piety and Physiology; The Circulation of the Blood; Shall we Flog our Children? Negro Peculiarities; Position when Sleeping; Stammering; Clergymen's Sons, &c.; National Types—No. 1; Climate and Character; To the Princess Alexandra; The Question of Crinoline; A Ballad for the Times; Swimming; The City—15 cents, or $1.50 a year. FOWLER & WELLS, No. 308 Broadway.

MANUAL

For Quartermasters & Commissaries

Containing Instructions in the preparations of vouchers, abstracts, returns, &c., embracing all the recent changes in the army regulations, together with instructions respecting taxation of salaries, &c. By CAPT. R. F. HUNTER, U. S. A. 12mo, price $1. Copies sent free by mail on receipt of price. Just published by D. VAN NOSTRAND, No. 192 Broadway, N. Y.

BARTLETT supplies the NEEDLES for all SEWING MACHINES. Sends by Mail or Express everywhere. Also the renowned BURNISHED HAND NEEDLES, 150 for 25 cents all sizes. 442 Broadway, N. Y.

Family Sewing Machines, $5 to $15.

The acknowledged simplest practical Machines ever produced. Novelty Machine Co, 442 Broadway, N. Y.

$15 Per Day Easy $15

And a Watch Free.

Employment for everybody, male and female. 100,000 men, women, and children wanted to act as our Agents in every Town and Village throughout the U. S. to sell our immensely popular, unexcelled, and valuable extra large size PRIZE STATIONERY, RECIPES, and YANKEE NOTION PACKAGES, containing fine Writing Materials, such as Paper, Pens, Pencils, Envelopes, Blotters, Beautiful Emblems, Ladies' Fashion Plates, Designs for Needlework, Cottage Keepsakes, Household Companions, Camp Companions (for Soldiers), Parlor Amusements, Letter Writer's Guide, Medical Preparations, Many Ways to Get Rich, Likenesses of Military Heroes, Union Designs, Gents' Pocket Calendars for 1863, YANKEE NOTIONS of all kinds, rich and costly Presents of Fashionable Jewelry, Rare Recipes, Games, Army Advice, &c., &c., &c., the whole worth, if bought separately, many dollars. Price each Package ONLY 25 cents retail. Wholesale rates to Agents very low, from 100 TO 200 PER CENT PROFIT ALLOWED, Our Packages stand same as ever, alone, and above all competitors, and have long been acknowledged as the leading and only real valuable and standard Articles of the kind now manufactured. Packages of all descriptions put up by the 1000 for Sutlers, Peddlers, Wholesale Dealers, &c. Goods sent by Express safe to ALL PARTS of the army South or Southwest. A SPLENDID SOLID SILVER WATCH, ENGLISH MOVEMENTS, and correct timepiece presented FREE to each person who acts as our agent. Send for our NEW Circulars, containing Extra Premium Inducements, sent free. S. C. RICKARDS & CO., 102 Nassau St., N. Y. The Great Original, Largest, and Oldest Prize Package House in the World.

We assert it boldly.—There are no other Medicines so reliable, effectual, and convenient as HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT, always ready for use. They are invaluable to the Soldier exposed to Wounds, Sores, Fevers, and Bowel Complaints. They never fail. Only 25 cents per box or pot.

$2 positively made from 20 Cents.—Something urgently needed by every person. 10 samples sent free by mail for 20 cents that retails for $2, by

R. L. WOLCOTT, 170 Chatham Square, N. Y.

Printing-Presses for Sale.

One Taylor Drum Cylinder, four Rollers, Table Distribution, Bed 38x51. Price $1750.

One Taylor Double Cylinder, five Rollers, Table Distribution, Bed 38x51. Price $3500.

Apply to HARPER & BROTHERS, 329 Pearl St., N.Y.

A PRINTING OFFICE FOR $12.

Every Man his own Printer.

THE LOWE IMPROVED PRINTING PRESSES are the best and cheapest portable Card and Job Presses ever invented, and have been awarded Silver Medals and Diplomas. Merchants, Druggists, and others, are saving or MAKING MONEY by using them. Cards, Bill-Heads, Circulars, Labels, &c., can be printed at a trifling expense. Price of Presses: $7, 12, 18, and $25. Price of an Office, with Press, $12, 22, 32, and $43. Send for a Circular to the

LOWE PRESS CO., 13 Water Street, Boston.

DOLLAR POCKET STEREOSCOPES.—The most charming Invention for adding interest to Portrait-Cards. Stereoscopic Views and Photographic Albums, 831 Broadway, and Bookstores, Photographers, &c.

New Maps of Charleston Harbor, S. C., Port Hudson, and Vicksburg, showing all of the Fortifications, Batteries, &c. Size 20x30, price only 10 cents. Agents wanted everywhere. G. W. TOMLINSON, Publisher, 221 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.

PORTABLE

  Printing Offices.

For sale by the ADAMS PRESS CO., 31 Park Row, New York. Circulars sent free. Specimen Sheets of Type, Cuts, &c., 6 cents.

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