November 17

1863The lines

A platoon of cavalry at Gioham’s Ferry

Beauregard directed that if the enemy attempted to penetrate the interior through the Second or Third Military Districts, a platoon of cavalry was to be stationed at once at Gioham’s Ferry without waiting for further orders. Charleston’s back door was watched by squads.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 28, Pt. 2

1863The city

Ten shells near St. Michael’s

Beauregard telegraphed Richmond: “Enemy opened again on city from Battery Gregg at 11 a.m. Ten shells have struck vicinity of Saint Michael’s Church. Range, 4½ miles. No damage yet reported.” The steeple of St. Michael’s, painted black to spoil the range, was the Federal gunners’ aiming point for the rest of the war.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 28, Pt. 2

1864The city

A house on Tradd Street, shell damage disclosed

Offered at auction at eleven o’clock at the corner of Ann and King streets: the east tenement of the house at No. 66 Tradd Street, between Meeting and King, next to the residence of the Hon. William Alston Pringle — four upright rooms, two attic rooms, a basement, a lot fifteen feet by two hundred. “The house has been struck by a shell, but is very slightly damaged and can be readily repaired.” Conditions cash.

Charleston Mercury, 15 November 1864, p. 2, advertisement of James L. Gantt, auctioneer

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