Who won the Battle of Fort Wagner?
ConfederateWhile the Battle of Fort Wagner was a Confederate victory, this battle showed the fierce determinations of African Americans in the Union army with the brave assault led by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. For their valor, numerous soldiers, such as Seg.
What was the significance of the Battle at Fort Wagner?
The 54th Massachusetts' valor at the Battle of Fort Wagner paved the way for more African Americans to enlist. By the end of the war more than 180,000 African Americans enlisted in the U.S. Army, making up 10% of all U.S. forces for the duration of the war.
When did the Battle of Fort Wagner start and end?
Union Army troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Quincy Gillmore launched an unsuccessful assault on the Confederate fortress of Fort Wagner, which protected Morris Island, south of Charleston Harbor. The battle came one week after the First Battle of Fort Wagner....Second Battle of Fort Wagner.DateJuly 18, 1863ResultConfederate victory1 more row
How many people died at the Battle of Fort Wagner?
First Battle of Fort WagnerStrength1 brigade1,770Casualties and losses339 total (49 killed; 123 wounded; 167 captured/missing)129 more rows
What happened to the 54th Massachusetts after Fort Wagner?
The 54th lost the battle at Fort Wagner, but they did a great deal of damage there. Confederate troops abandoned the fort soon afterward. For the next two years, the regiment participated in a series of successful siege operations in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
How much of the 54th Massachusetts was lost on their assault on Fort Wagner?
During the latter engagement, the 54th Massachusetts, with other Union regiments, executed a frontal assault against Fort Wagner and suffered casualties of 20 killed, 125 wounded, and 102 missing (primarily presumed dead)—roughly 40 percent of the unit's numbers at that time.
When did the battle of Fort Wagner end?
July 18, 1863Second Battle of Fort Wagner / End date
When did the Civil War end?
April 9, 1865American Civil War / End dateWhen did the Civil War end? Robert E. Lee surrendered the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. The last battle was fought at Palmito Ranch, Texas, on May 13, 1865.
How many Confederate soldiers died at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner?
174 deadLosses: Confederate, 174 dead, wounded, or captured of 1,800; Union, 1,515 dead, wounded, or captured of 5,000.
Did anyone from the 54th Massachusetts survive?
A group of men led by 3rd New Hampshire Colonel John Jackson started forward with the general and the flag, but were mowed down by a salvo of canister shot. Miller survived unscathed, but his flag was riddled.
Does Fort Wagner still exist?
Although the Atlantic Ocean consumed Fort Wagner in the late 1800s and the original site is now offshore, the Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have acquired and preserved 118 acres (0.48 km2) of historic Morris Island, which had gun emplacements and other military ...
Where did General Lee surrender to end the Civil War?
surrender at AppomattoxThe surrender at Appomattox took place a week later on April 9. While it was the most significant surrender to take place during the Civil War, Gen. Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy's most respected commander, surrendered only his Army of Northern Virginia to Union Gen.
What do you think is the significance of the 54th and their leadership at Fort Wagner?
The performance of the 54th Regiment at Fort Wagner convinced many Northern leaders that African Americans could be good soldiers, which paved the way for further enlistment of African Americans in the war effort.
What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?
Gettysburg was an important campaign. It stopped the Confederate momentum in the Eastern Theater and it probably killed any chance of Europe intervening. It gave the Federals a badly needed victory and boosted Northern morale.
What was the significance of the 54th Regiment?
The significance of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry regiment of the Union Army was that it was the first African-American regiment to play a major role in a military campaign. The attack on Fort Wagner was the first time a black regiment had been given an important role to play in U.S. military history.
What was the result of the assault on Fort Wagner by the African American soldiers of the unions?
The Confederates, outnumbered nearly three to one, refused to cede Fort Wagner, and the 54th was forced to retreat with the rest of the Union forces.
What would happen if Fort Wagner was captured?
If captured, Fort Wagner would provide the Union an opportunity to bombard Fort Sumter and provide access into Charleston harbor itself, an important step in securing the city that many saw as the birthplace of the Civil War. Union forces stormed Morris Island on July 10, 1863. Assisted by a naval bombardment, the troops captured ...
What was the name of the city that the Union occupied in 1863?
The formidable Fort Sumter guarded the entrance to the harbor, while Fort Wagner, located on Morris Island, commanded the southern portion of the harbor. That strategic location on the southern edge, however, also left Fort Wagner relatively vulnerable to Union assault. [1] If captured, Fort Wagner would provide the Union an opportunity to bombard Fort Sumter and provide access into Charleston harbor itself, an important step in securing the city that many saw as the birthplace of the Civil War.
How long did the Battle of Fort Wagner last?
To aid in the attack, Union ground artillery and naval guns bombarded Fort Wagner. The barrage lasted six hours, killing 8 and wounding 20 in a garrison of 1,700 Confederate soldiers.
How long did the Union keep Fort Wagner?
Union forces kept the fort surrounded for sixty days. The combined pressure of the blockade and constant skirmishing nearby forced the Confederate troops to abandon Fort Wagner. Union forces then occupied the fort, allowing for a sustained bombardment of both Fort Sumter and the city of Charleston. For the 54 th, the Second Battle ...
What was the second battle of Fort Wagner?
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner served as the 54 th Massachusetts’s trial by fire. The all-Black volunteer regiment first experienced combat only two days prior in a comparatively minor skirmish. [3] . The planned assault on Fort Wagner offered ...
What day did the Union attack Morris Island?
Union forces stormed Morris Island on July 10, 1863. Assisted by a naval bombardment, the troops captured the southern portion of the island, but could not take Fort Wagner when the attack resumed the next day. [2] . On July 18, the 54 th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment led a second Union assault against Fort Wagner.
How many African Americans enlisted in the Union Army?
By the end of the war more than 180,000 African Americans enlisted in the Union Army, making up 10% of all Union forces for the duration of the war. Correspondents relayed the 54th Massachusetts’ heroism and devotion, even after their defeat.
How many people died in the Battle of Fort Wagner?
Aftermath. Union casualties were 339 (49 killed, 123 wounded, 167 missing), Confederate 12. The First Battle of Fort Wagner was followed on July 16 by assaults on James Island and on July 18 by the famous, but also unsuccessful, charge of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry on July 18 in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner .
What was the second Battle of Fort Wagner?
An attempt by the Union Army to capture Fort Wagner was repulsed. The more famous Second Battle of Fort Wagner, which involved an assault by the 54th Massachusetts , would be fought on July 18.
Where was the first battle of the Civil War?
First Battle of Fort Wagner. The First Battle of Fort Wagner was fought on July 10 and 11, 1863, on Morris Island in Charleston harbor during the American Civil War. An attempt by the Union Army to capture Fort Wagner was repulsed.
Where did Strong's troops land on Fort Wagner?
This provided cover for the landing of Brig. Gen. George C. Strong 's brigade, which crossed Lighthouse Inlet and landed at the southern tip of the island. Strong's troops advanced, capturing several batteries, moving about three miles to within range of Fort Wagner.
Who was the commander of the Department of the South in 1863?
In early June 1863, Union Brig. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore replaced Maj. Gen. David Hunter as commander of the Department of the South. Gillmore, an Army engineer, had successfully captured Fort Pulaski in April 1862. He began preparations for capturing Morris Island and parts of James Island, which dominated the southern approaches to Charleston Harbor. If Union artillery could be placed in those locations, they could assist in the bombardment of Fort Sumter, whose guns prevented the U.S. Navy from entering the harbor.
Who was the Confederate general who attacked Fort Wagner?
Although the men of the 7th Connecticut Infantry overran a line of rifle pits, they were repulsed by the 1,770-man force under Confederate Col. Robert F. Graham.
How many howitzers did the Battery Wagner have?
The sea face of Wagner was armed with one 32 lb. carronade, one 10-inch Columbiad, and two 12 lb. howitzers. The garrison of Battery Wagner consisted of the 1st South Carolina Artillery, the Charleston Battalion, the 31st North Carolina, and the 51st North Carolina.
How many Union soldiers died in the Battle of Wagner?
In all, about 1,515 Union soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded in the assault of July 18, although this number has never been accurately ascertained. Gen. Hagood, the commander of Fort Wagner on the morning of July 19, stated in his report to Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard that he buried 800 bodies in mass graves in front of Wagner. Only 315 men were left from the 54th after the battle. Thirty were killed in action, including Col. Shaw and Captains Russel and Simpkins, and buried together in a single grave. Twenty-four later died of wounds, fifteen were captured, and fifty-two were reported missing after the battle and never seen again. The men of the 54th Massachusetts were hailed for their valor. William Carney, an African-American sergeant with the 54th, is considered the first black recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions that day in recovering and returning the unit's U.S. Flag to Union lines. Their conduct improved the reputation of African Americans as soldiers, leading to greater Union recruitment of African-Americans, which strengthened the Northern states' numerical advantage. In addition, the South recognized for the first time that captured African American soldiers were to be treated as enemy combatants and not criminals. Confederate casualties numbered 174.
What time did the Massachusetts attack begin?
The assault began at 7:45 p.m. and was conducted in three movements. The 54th Massachusetts attacked to the west upon the curtain of Wagner, with the remainder of Gen. Strong's brigade and Col. Putnam's brigade attacking the seaward salient on the south face.
What was the name of the battle on July 18th?
2nd Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter. Map of the charge of the 54th Massachusetts. Depiction of the battle in the painting The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground. The Second Battle of Fort Wagner, also known as the Second Assault on Morris Island or the Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, was fought on July 18, ...
How many shell guns were used in Fort Wagner?
The armament of Fort Wagner on the night of July 18 consisted of one 10-inch seacoast mortar, two 32 lb. carronades, two 8-inch shell guns, two 32 lb. howitzers, a 42 lb. carronade, and an 8-inch seacoast mortar on the land face.
Why was Fort Wagner abandoned?
The Confederates abandoned the fort on September 7, 1863, after resisting 60 days of shelling, it having been deemed untenable because of the damage from constant bombardment, lack of provisions, and the close proximity of the Union siege trenches to Wagner.
When did Gillmore bombard Fort Wagner II?
Gillmore ordered his siege guns and mortars to begin a bombardment of the fort on July 18 and they were joined by the naval gunfire from six monitors that pulled to within 300 yards of the fort.
How far did the 54th Massachusetts come under Confederate fire?
Moving slightly west, the 54th Massachusetts came under Confederate fire approximately 150 yards from the fort. Pushing forward, they were joined by Strong's other regiments which attacked the wall closer to the sea. Taking heavy losses, Shaw led his men through the moat and up the wall ( Map ).
Why did the garrison at Fort Wagner abandon it?
The garrison at Fort Wagner ultimately abandoned it on September 7 after enduring supply and water shortages as well as intense bombardments by Union guns. The assault on Fort Wagner brought great notoriety to the 54th Massachusetts and made a martyr of Shaw.
What was Fort Wagner defended by?
Spanning the width of the island, Fort Wagner (also known as Battery Wagner) was defended by thirty-foot high sand and earth walls which were reinforced with palmetto logs.
What did Putnam do to organize a defense in the southeast bastion?
Attempting to organize a defense in the southeast bastion, Putnam sent messengers calling for Stevenson's brigade to come up in support. Despite these requests, the third Union brigade never advanced. Clinging to their position, the Union troops turned back two Confederate counterattacks when Putnam was killed.
How many guns did Fort Wagner have?
Manned by a 1,700-man garrison led by Brigadier General William Taliaferro, Fort Wagner mounted fourteen guns and was further defended by a moat studded with spikes which ran along its landward walls. Seeking to maintain his momentum, Strong attacked Fort Wagner on July 11.
What was the purpose of Taliaferro's movement?
Scrambling, Taliaferro gathered groups of men to oppose the Union threat. Though supported by the 48th New York, the Union assault bogged down as Confederate artillery fire prevented additional reinforcements from reaching the fight.
What did Shaw do to signal the advance of the Union?
As the bombardment concluded, Shaw raised his sword and signaled the advance. Moving forward, the Union advance was compressed at a narrow point in the beach. As the lines of blue neared, Taliaferro's men emerged from their shelter and began manning the ramparts.
Background
In early June 1863, Union Brig. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore replaced Maj. Gen. David Hunter as commander of the Department of the South. Gillmore, an Army engineer, had successfully captured Fort Pulaski in April 1862.
Battle
On July 10, Union artillery on Folly Island (which had been occupied in April 1863) and naval gunfire from Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren 's four ironclad warships bombarded the Confederate defenses protecting the southern end of Morris Island. This provided cover for the landing of Brig. Gen. George C.
Aftermath
Union casualties were 339 (49 killed, 123 wounded, 167 missing), Confederate 12. The First Battle of Fort Wagner was followed on July 16 by assaults on James Island and on July 18 by the famous, but also unsuccessful, charge of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry on July 18 in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner .
What did Andrew say when he presented the 54th Regiment with the flag?
As Andrew presented the 54th Regiment with the United States flag, he said, “Whenever its folds shall be unfurled, it will mark the path of glory.”. The governor then handed the colonel a telegram with orders to report to South Carolina.
What did Shaw say to the Union troops?
Hand grenades showered down as the 54th charged. As artillery shredded the regiment, Shaw shouted, “Onward, boys!”. The Union force climbed the earthen ramparts, and fierce hand-to-hand fighting ensued. As soon as Shaw reached the crest of the parapet, though, he was struck by bullets and mortally wounded.
How many black soldiers were in the Union Army at Fort Wagner?
By war’s end approximately 200,000 black soldiers would serve in the Union Army. Nearly 40,000 of them gave their lives.
Who led the attack on the beachhead fortification?
Strong wanted to try again. He asked the 54th Regiment, the largest among the Union’s 5,000 soldiers on the island, to lead the attack.
Who was concerned about the morale of white soldiers and alienating slaveholding border states?
President Abraham Lincoln, concerned about harming the morale of white soldiers and alienating slaveholding border states, ...
Who was the first woman to lead a major U.S. political party?
Hillary Clinton accepts Democratic nomination, becoming first woman to lead a major U.S. political party. He asked the 54th Regiment, the largest among the Union’s 5,000 soldiers on the island, to lead the attack. Strong told Shaw, “Your men, I know, are worn out, but do as you choose!”.
Who was the only son of a wealthy Boston abolitionist family?
The governor offered the unit command to Union officer Robert Gould Shaw, the only son of a wealthy Boston abolitionist family. Although only 25 years old, the Harvard-educated Shaw had been battle-tested at Antietam and served with distinction as captain of the elite 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. Although initially reluctant, Shaw arrived in Boston ...
Morris Island
Fort Wagner, lost to the sea since the late 1800's, was part of the Confederate defenses of Charleston Harbor and was located on the narrow Morris Island on the coast. The site of the fort is not easily accessible.
Preservation
The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 118 acres at Fort Wagner Battlefield.
Overview
The First Battle of Fort Wagner was fought on July 10 and 11, 1863, on Morris Island in Charleston harbor during the American Civil War. An attempt by the Union Army to capture Fort Wagner was repulsed. The more famous Second Battle of Fort Wagner, which involved an assault by the 54th Massachusetts, would be fought on July 18.
Background
In early June 1863, Union Brig. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore replaced Maj. Gen. David Hunter as commander of the Department of the South. Gillmore, an Army engineer, had successfully captured Fort Pulaski in April 1862. He began preparations for capturing Morris Island and parts of James Island, which dominated the southern approaches to Charleston Harbor. If Union artillery could be placed in those locations, they could assist in the bombardment of Fort Sumter, whose …
Battle
On July 10, Union shot artillery on Folly Island (which had been occupied in April 1863) and naval gunfire from Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren's four ironclad warships bombarded the Confederate defenses protecting the southern end of Morris Island. This provided cover for the landing of Brig. Gen. George C. Strong's brigade, which crossed Lighthouse Inlet and landed at the southern tip of the island. Strong's troops advanced, capturing several batteries, moving about three miles to wi…
Aftermath
Union casualties were 339 (49 killed, 123 wounded, 167 missing), Confederate 12. The First Battle of Fort Wagner was followed on July 16 by assaults on James Island and on July 18 by the famous, but also unsuccessful, charge of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry on July 18 in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner.
Battlefield preservation
In May 2008, TPL and partners, including the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the South Carolina State Ports Authority, the Civil War Trust, (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and many private donors, purchased the island on behalf of the City of Charleston from Ginn Resorts for $3 million. Previously, in 2003, when a builder announced his plans to build houses on the tract, for which he had an option to buy, the Trust, local preservationist Blake Hallman and other…
Notes
1. ^ Dyer, p. 831.
2. ^ Kennedy, p. 192.
3. ^ Eicher, pp. 564–65.
4. ^ Eicher, p. 566.
5. ^ Dyer, p. 831; Kennedy, p. 192.
Further reading
• Burton, E. Milby. The Siege of Charleston 1861–1865. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1970. ISBN 0-87249-345-8.
• Reed, Rowena. Combined Operations in the Civil War. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1978. ISBN 0-87021-122-6.
• Wise, Stephen R. Gate of Hell: Campaign for Charleston Harbor, 1863. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1994. ISBN 0-87249-985-5.
Overview
The Second Battle of Fort Wagner, also known as the Second Assault on Morris Island or the Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, was fought on July 18, 1863, during the American Civil War. Union Army troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Quincy Gillmore launched an unsuccessful assault on the Confederate fortress of Fort Wagner, which protected Morris Island, south of Charleston Harbor. The battle came one week after the First Battle of Fort Wagner. Although a Confederate victory, t…
Background
Fort Wagner, or Battery Wagner as it was known to the Confederates, controlled the southern approaches to Charleston Harbor. It was commanded by Brigadier General William B. Taliaferro. An attempt was made on July 11 to assault the fort, the First Battle of Fort Wagner, but it was repulsed with heavy losses to the attackers because of artillery and musket fire. Brig. Gen. Quincy Gillmore intended to repeat his assault, but first executed feints to distract the Confederates' att…
Battle
Gillmore ordered his siege guns and mortars to begin a bombardment of the fort on July 18 and they were joined by the naval gunfire from six monitors that pulled to within 300 yards of the fort. The bombardment lasted eight hours, but caused little damage against the sandy walls of the fort, and in all, killed only about 8 men and wounded an additional 20, as the defenders had taken cover in the b…
Aftermath
In all, about 1,515 Union soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded in the assault of July 18, although this number has never been accurately ascertained. Gen. Hagood, the commander of Fort Wagner on the morning of July 19, stated in his report to Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard that he buried 800 bodies in mass graves in front of Wagner. Only 315 men were left from the 54th after the battle. Thirt…
Battlefield preservation
In May 2008, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and partners, including the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the South Carolina State Ports Authority, the Civil War Trust, (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and many private donors, purchased the island on behalf of the City of Charleston from Ginn Resorts for $3 million. Previously, in 2003, when a builder announced his plans to build houses on the tract, for which he had an option to buy, the Trust, local preservatio…
In popular culture
• An early short story by Louisa May Alcott, "My Contraband" (1863), depicts the aftermath of the battle, with the protagonist, a Union Army nurse, tending to wounded and dying soldiers of the 54th Regiment.
• A depiction of the battle is the climax of the 1989 film Glory.
Further reading
• Burton, E. Milby. The Siege of Charleston 1861–1865. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1970. ISBN 0-87249-345-8.
• Kennedy, Frances H., ed. The Civil War Battlefield Guide . 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998. ISBN 0-395-74012-6.
• Reed, Rowena. Combined Operations in the Civil War. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1978. ISBN 0-87021-122-6.
External links
• National Park Service battle description
• Assault on Battery Wagner: Maps, histories, photos, and preservation news (Civil War Trust)
• CWSAC Report Update
Background
First Attempt on Fort Wagner
- Supported by four ironclads from Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren's South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and Union artillery, Gillmore dispatched Colonel George C. Strong's brigade across Lighthouse Inlet to Morris Island on June 10. Advancing north, Strong's men cleared several Confederate positions and approached Fort Wagner. Spanning the width of the island, Fort Wag…
Second Battle of Fort Wagner
- At 8:15 AM on July 18, Union artillery opened fired on Fort Wagner from the south. This was soon joined by fire from eleven of Dahlgren's ships. Continuing through the day, the bombardment did little actual damage as the fort's sand walls absorbed the Union shells and the garrison took cover in a large bombproof shelter. As the afternoon progressed...
Blood at The Walls
- As the bombardment concluded, Shaw raised his sword and signaled the advance. Moving forward, the Union advance was compressed at a narrow point in the beach. As the lines of blue neared, Taliaferro's men emerged from their shelter and began manning the ramparts. Moving slightly west, the 54th Massachusetts came under Confederate fire approximately 150 yards fro…
Aftermath
- The fighting ended around 10:30 PM as the last Union troops either retreated or surrendered. In the fighting, Gillmore sustained 246 killed, 880 wounded, and 389 captured. Among the dead were Strong, Shaw, and Putnam. Confederate losses numbered only 36 killed, 133 wounded, and 5 captured. Unable to take the fort by force, Gillmore pulled back and later laid siege to it as part o…