The Storming of Fort Wagner

Fort Wagner (also called Battery Wagner) was a fortification on Morris Island, South Carolina, that covered the southern approach to Charleston harbor. It was the site of two American Civil War battles in the campaign known as Operations Against the Defenses of Charleston in 1863. The Storming of Ft. ... The Storming of Ft. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... Morris Island in South Carolina, USA, is an 840 acre uninhabited island in Charleston Harbor, accessible only by boat. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Other U.S. States Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford Official languages English Area 82,965 km² (40th)  - Land 78,051 km²  - Water 4,915 km² (6%) Population (2000)  - Population 4,012,012 (26th)  - Density 51. ... Charleston, South Carolinas Oldest City Charleston is an American city located in Charleston County, South Carolina. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The first engagement, the Battle of Fort Wagner or the First Assault on Morris Island, occurred on July 11, 1863. The second is better known. The Battle of Fort Wagner/Morris Island, was the Union attack on July 18, 1863, led by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first major American military unit made up of African Americans. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw led the regiment on foot while they charged and was killed in the assault. July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Union was a name used by many to refer to the Northern states during the American Civil War. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Storming of Fort Wagner, the most famous operation performed by the 54th Massachusetts Regiment The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that participated in the American Civil War which was the first formal Army unit to be comprised of African-Americans. ... African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or black Americans, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Sub-Saharan and West Africa. ... Robert Gould Shaw Robert Gould Shaw (October 10, 1837 – July 18, 1863), was the white colonel in command of the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which entered the American Civil War in 1863. ...

The Confederate fortifications, garrisoned by around 1,800 men, extended across the northern quarter of the low and sandy island. The main wall ran for 630 feet from the eastern ocean to salt marshes on the west. The wall was up to 30 feet high and a wide, but shallow, trench stretched in front. Much of the fort was earth barriers and sandbagged emplacements. The site of the fortifications is currently underwater. For other meanings of confederate and confederacy, see confederacy (disambiguation) National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Largest...

Plan and sections of Fort Wagner, 1863.

Union forces landed on the island in early July 1863. The first assault on the fortifications was by three brigades on July 11 and it failed. A second force was gathered by Major General Quincy Gillmore and dispatched against the fort in the early hours of July 18. Download high resolution version (940x1200, 150 KB)Plan and Sections of Fort Wagner, 1863. ... Download high resolution version (940x1200, 150 KB)Plan and Sections of Fort Wagner, 1863. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ...

The approach to the fort was constricted to a strip of beach 60 yards wide. After a bombardment from both land and sea, the Union infantry moved in. The assault force was headed by the 54th Massachusetts and included five other brigades, around 5,000 men in total. Unfortunately for the assault force, the prior bombardment failed to seriously damage the fighting power of the fort. Consequently, the Union infantry suffered considerable casualties in the rush towards the fort.

As the Union troops reached the parapets, the fighting proved intense. Three brigades managed to occupy a portion of the walls, but they were forced to withdraw after an hour of fierce hand-to-hand combat where almost every officer was killed. The Union forces suffered around 1,600 casualties and the Confederate garrison under 200.

Although a tactical defeat, the battle proved to be a political victory for the Union since the valor of the 54th against hopeless odds proved the worth of black soldiers. It spurred additional recruitment that gave the Union Army a further numerical advantage in troops over the South. The Union Army refers to the United States Army during the American Civil War. ...

The Union besieged the fort after the unsuccessful assault. After enduring almost 60 days of heavy shelling, the Confederates abandoned it on September 7, 1863. September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The July 18th assault on the fort is dramatized in the Academy Award winning film, Glory July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ... Film refers to the celluloid media on which movies are printed Film is a term that encompasses motion pictures as individual projects, as well as the field in general. ... Glory is a 1989 film which depicts the Unionists attack on Fort Wagner during the American Civil War, which was spearheaded by Robert Gould Shaws 54th Massachusetts Regiment. ...

External links

• Assault on Fort Wagner (http://www.generalatomic.com/PerrysSaints/chapter11.html)