Archduke Maximillian of Austria

SEPTEMBER 26, 1863.]

HARPER'S WEEKLY.

621

THE ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN, OF AUSTRIA, PRETENDED EMPEROR OF MEXICO.

THE ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN,
OF AUSTRIA.

WE publish herewith a portrait of the ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN, OF AUSTRIA, who has been named by the French officers in Mexico Emperor of that country. The Archduke is a man of middle age, and a sailor by trade. He enjoys a fair reputation in his own country, and has been well spoken of by foreigners who have known him. Some years ago he married the daughter of King Leopold of Belgium, one of the most sensible and upright of sovereigns. Whether or no he will fall into the trap laid for him by the Emperor of the French remains to be seen. The first intelligence was that he would unhesitatingly accept. But since then his views appear to have undergone some modification, possibly under good advice from his father-in-law. Mr. Motley's excellent opinions, expressed to Count Rechberg, may not have been without their weight upon the mind of the Archduke.

THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.

WE continue in this number our illustrations of the siege of Charleston, from sketches by our correspondent, Mr. Theodore R. Davis. On page 609 we give a picture of the

CHARGE OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT ON REBEL RIFLE-PITS.

Mr. Davis writes, "A sand-hill had been taken advantage of by the rebels as a cover for a number of sharp-shooters, who constantly annoyed our sappers with their pinging Minies. This was not to be overlooked for a moment, and the rebels left the place not to return."

The New York Times correspondent says:

One of the most brilliant events that has been witnessed on the island since the inauguration of the siege movements, occurred last Wednesday night—an event in which the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment bore a worthy and conspicuous part, and which resulted most advantageously for the Union side. Prior to the event of Wednesday night, four parallels, with the usually accompanying approaches, had been built. Beyond the fourth parallel a sap had been commenced which was being extended toward Wagner as fast as the circumstances would allow. At night our pickets were thrown out fifty yards to the front, which brought them to within about fifty yards of the rebel pickets. Between the opposing pickets was a ridge of sand which it was very essential we should occupy in order to facilitate engineering movements. The rebels also understood the importance of the position, and every night had sent two or three regiments to hold it. As will be seen, however, they were behind time on this occasion, and so lost the ground. The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, Colonel F. A. Osborne, was on duty in the trenches at the time. Just before dark, in accordance with orders issued, the batteries on the right, that is, in the parallels, commanded by Captains Jos. J. Comstock, Charles G. Strahn, Albert Green, and Lieutenant George Green, of the Third Rhode Island Artillery, also, Captain Skinner, of the Seventh Connecticut, who commands a battery of mortars, were opened simultaneously on Wagner and the rifle-pits between the fort and the ridge and on the ridge itself. After fifteen minutes of deafening cannonading, our guns having been replied to by the enemy from Wagner, Gregg, and Simpkins, the firing on our side was directed particularly to points beyond the ridge, and the Twenty-fourth, who were near at hand, was ordered to dash forward and seize that ground. In a moment the men leaped over the parallel, and in another moment were passing up the ridge. One company of the Sixty-first North Carolina were in the rifle-pits, but before they knew then own senses were surrounded and taken prisoners. Our men then placed themselves in a state of defense by throwing up an earth-work which had increased before morning to the dimensions of a parallel, making a number of five in the series. It can not be said the company of North Carolinians fought obstinately in the defense of the ridge, for they, in the first place, were too few in numbers, and in the second place, were too quickly surrounded. What our men had most to fear was the canister and grape from Wagner. The range was short—only 150 yards, and it required a lively handling of spades to put up to protection. From the time the guns were opened to the moment the Twenty-fourth were on the summit of the ridge, thirty minutes had elapsed.

The regiment lost two killed, eight wounded, and one missing. The rebel loss was four killed, eight wounded, and sixty-eight prisoners, including two lieutenants. In fact, the entire rebel company, with the exception of the Captain and two or three privates, were either killed, wounded, or captured.

We gained a portion of ground, the possession of which enabled the engineers to go on with the approaches toward Wagner. We now have the fifth parallel and a sap extending therefrom, the head of which is but one hundred yards from the rebel fort. Numerous rifle-pits of the enemy, which were filled with sharp-shooters, have been leveled, and he has been forced to contract his boundary limits. In a word, we have materially added to the chances of a speedy capture of Wagner.

On pages 612 and 613 we illustrate FORT WAGNER.

Mr. Davis writes:

"MORRIS ISLAND, September 8.

"The fact that our approaches had reached the ditch of Wagner had scarcely time to be known when it was noised about that we were to storm the place the coming dawn. Ere this could be done the wily foe had left us the possessors of Morris Island,

"That spades are again trumps seems unquestioned; and it may not be out of place to mention the fact that all engaged in the work of the reduction of the rebel works performed their respective duties admirably.

"Who was the very first to enter Wagner is a much-mooted question. Certain it is, however, that Sergeant Vermillion and five men of the Thirty-ninth Illinois regiment were in the fort as soon as any one. Almost simultaneous with their entrance was that of Captains Walker and Pratt, of the Engineers, and Lieutenant Michie, of General Gilmore's staff.

"My sketches give views of the fort—one showing the dismantled condition as well as the natural strength of the work; the other the scene of the charge made on the 18th of July, our men having got into this portion of the work at that time. In the fore-ground of this sketch is shown an incident of hourly occurrence.

"The attack upon Gregg, though well planned, was discovered, and proved unsuccessful.

"After having sketched Fort Wagner I started for Battery Gregg, and had nearly reached that place, after a most unpleasant tramp under a constant fire, when old Sol sent an unusually hot beam, and the next known I found myself much nearer Wagner than Gregg, and a copious drenching of the salt-water of the ocean going on. Asking where I was hit, I was told 'twas sun-stroke; and a remark shortly afterward made by one of our brave defenders, that 'the artist man was luney,' suggested to my mind that a speedy leave-taking of my soldier friends might be advisable. This is the reason why no sketch of Battery Gregg is presented with this package of sketches.

"The picture of

THE IRON-CLADS ENGAGING THE WORKS UPON
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND,

sketched from the beach of Morris Island, gives, I think, the most comprehensive view of the scene.

"How reckless men become after a period of constant exposure to shell fire can be seen by the entire indifference exhibited by the soldiers upon the beach, who take their usual tramps under the constantly-bursting shells with a nonchalance almost wonderful."

On this page we give

FORT JOHNSON AND JOHNSONVILLE, SKETCHED
FROM BLACK ISLAND.

Mr. Davis writes: "During a little jaunt with Colonel Serrell, a few days since, being in quest of sketches, I found the scenes that I send to you—the Colonel's very excellent glass rendering it (Next Page)

THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON—JOHNSONVILLE AND REBEL FORTIFICATIONS.—[SKETCHED FROM BLACK ISLAND BY MR. THEODORE R. DAVIS.]