12. The First Battle of Fort Wagner
On July 10, 1863, Union batteries on Folly Island opened fire on the Confederate positions on the south end of Morris Island. They were supported by heavy fire from US Navy gunboats under the command of Admiral John Dahlgren. The Confederates responded and the heavy bombardment served as cover for the movement of a brigade under Brigadier General George Crockett Strong to land on Morris Island. The brigade landed under fire, formed up and swept up several Confederate batteries before coming within range of Fort Wagner. The only approach by land was an open area directly south of the fort, which was protected to the west by swamp, and to the east by the sea. Strong paused just out of range of the Confederate defenders, to rest his troops and prepare for the assault.
Strong launched his assault on the bastion at dawn on July 11. The dawn brought with it heavy fog, which covered his troops somewhat as they advanced over the open ground. Additional troops could not be brought forward to assist in the attack due to the fog and the heavy return fire from Fort Wagner. The garrison of over 1700 Confederate troops tore the attacking Union troops to pieces once they were exposed, and Union forces suffered 339 casualties, including 167 either captured or missing when the Union troops withdrew. Confederate losses were 12 men.