This day in Charleston

August 26

2 entries · 1863–1864

1863Morris Island

The 24th Massachusetts takes the ridge

Gillmore ordered General Terry to take and hold the sand ridge in front of the fourth parallel and gave him the resources of the command to do it. It was carried at half past six in the evening by a charge of the 24th Massachusetts under Colonel Francis A. Osborn, supported by the 3rd New Hampshire — and sixty-eight prisoners were taken with it.

Major Brooks’ journal, OR I, 28, Pt. 1

1864Fort Sumter

Two killed, two wounded

“Thirty-five columbiad shells fired at the fort last night, of which 16 missed; 18 Parrott shells, of which 9 missed. Two negroes killed, and 2 negroes wounded.” Four casualties in a night, all of them among the impressed laborers who kept the fort standing.

Fort Sumter post returns, OR I, 35, Pt. 1

Entries are dated from the War of the Rebellion official records, the naval official records and contemporary Charleston sources. Browse the whole year.