18. The first assault was hit with artillery and musket fire as in moved forward
A half dozen guns had survived the bombardment, and they were supported by a howitzer battery at Battery Gregg. The 54th advanced first at quick march, maintaining ranks with four companies abreast of each other, followed by the other four. As the strip of land, they had to cross grew narrower approaching the fort they were funneled in toward each other, forming a point with Shaw at its tip. As they approached, the bombardment died out and the defenders of Fort Wagner emerged from the bombproof and took positions on the ramparts. About two hundred yards from the fort Shaw gave the order to charge. The Confederates responded with a withering hail of musketry and artillery fire.
The 54th struggled through the moat, which in some areas had been filled with sand by the bombardment, while under heavy and continuous fire by the Confederates. Shaw made it to the parapet, where as he shouted encouragement to his men he was hit by at least three shots, dying instantly. Without him, the regiment struggled to crest the ramparts, but few did. Those that did break over the walls found fierce resistance from the Confederate defenders, who were outraged at the sight of black troops. Many never made it to the ramparts at all, falling between the moat and the fort itself. The 54th was still struggling at the ramparts when the next wave of the assault swept over the moat and drove towards Fort Wagner.