This day in Charleston

May 5

2 entries · 1863–1864

1863Ordnance

The Keokuk’s guns come up

Beauregard telegraphed Richmond: the two 11-inch guns from the wreck of the Keokuk had been saved by Mr. Adolphus LaCoste and parties from Fort Sumter under Lieutenants Boylston, Rhett and Kemper. “Too much praise cannot be bestowed on their zeal and energy.” The work had been done at night, at low water, in sight of the blockading fleet — and one of those guns was later mounted in Fort Sumter itself.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 14

1864Fort Sumter

“The sentinels on Gregg are negroes”

Besides the New Ironsides and six monitors there were only two war vessels inside the bar and two blockaders outside. Thirteen shells were fired at the fort. And, noted without comment in the morning report: “The sentinels on Gregg are negroes.”

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.