This day in Charleston

July 8

2 entries · 1863–1864

1863Morris Island

The order is written

Confidential instructions from Gillmore’s headquarters on Folly Island: an attack upon Morris Island would be made at the rising of the moon that night, Strong’s brigade embarked in small boats immediately after sunset and passing through Folly Island Creek to Light-House Inlet. Weather put it off two days. On the same day Beauregard telegraphed Richmond that a careful reconnaissance did not confirm any departure of the enemy.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 28, Pt. 1

1864Fort Sumter

A new heavy gun at Wagner

The fire slackened a little; the Federals ceased about midnight and started again at daylight, twenty shots in the night with four missing. “There is another gun of large caliber mounted at Wagner.” The fort's officers identified new guns by the sound and the size of the hole.

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.