This day in Charleston

January 17

2 entries · 1864–1865

1864The siege

Forty-three mortar shells, without effect

Battery Simkins threw forty-three mortar shells at Battery Gregg; Gregg answered with thirty-eight columbiad shells, and the journal records the result in two words — without effect. The bombardment of the city continued without cessation. Inside the bar the Federals had the New Ironsides, three monitors and twenty-one other vessels.

Journal of Operations in Charleston Harbor, OR I, 35, Pt. 1

1865Sherman

Hardee watches Pocotaligo

“Enemy seems to be concentrating at Pocotaligo. A force reported to be moving up the Coosawhatchie. Nothing from General Wheeler to-day.” Hardee’s telegram from Charleston, a month before he gave the city up.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 47

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