The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

BATTLE OF FORT WAGNER

Fort Wagner, South Carolina was in possession of a strong body of Confederates under Beauregard in 1863 and was assaulted without success by General Strong with 11,500 Federals of Gillmore's command. Strong was assisted by Dahlgren with the Federal frigate, Ironsides, and six monitors. The Federals desired to hold Fort Wagner in order to render the destruction of Fort Sumter easier. The Federal troops were secretly landed upon the south end of Morris Island and the Confederate works in that vicinity easily captured. On July the 17th a brief assault was made, which was quickly repulsed by the Confederates. On July the 18th the assault was resumed. Strong was mortally wounded and 1200 men were lost. Putnam, and Shaw, who led a coloured regiment, were also killed. The assaults were continued upon Sumter, however, though that upon Fort Wagner ceased. Sumter was practically destroyed by July the 23rd, though Beauregard's force nearly twice outnumbered Gillmore's.
Research Battle of Fort Wagner