Today in History:

173 Series I Volume XXXV-I Serial 65 - Olustee Part I

Page 173 Chapter XLVII. OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, ETC.

did not fire. Major Campbell, commanding artillery, Section 2, reports that about 8.30 p. m. an alarm occurred, the picket-boat off Haskell having come in and reported the enemy's barges approaching. The proper signals were promptly made, and the troops of the post immediately ordered out and put in position, and kept on the defenses until 3 a. m. One gun (24-pounder howitzer) and one rifle by a sentinel were fired off at Tatom at a raft supposed to be a boat. Nothing further unusual occurred, except several reports of small-arms in the direction of the Secessionville bridge. Colonel Graham, commanding Secessionville, reports that at about 9 o'clock the officer of the day reported three rockets sent up in the direction of Battery Haskell, which being the signal that place was threatened, the command at this post was turned out and under arms; the several guns manned. Having been notified that all was quiet at Haskell, I dismissed the command, with directions to sleep with their accouterments on. At about 10 p. m., musketry firing was reported at the battery between the two bridges at this post, and that two boats had approached that point. Upon investigating the matter I than a collection of marsh grass floating about with the tide, which at the time was at its flow. Besides this, I have no operations to report at this post for the 8th instant.*

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April 10.-Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson, commanding Fort Johnson, reports no firing at that post on the 9th instant. Major Campbell, commanding artillery, Section 2, reports that nothing unusual occurred to-day. Colonel Graham, commanding at Secessionville, reports all quiet at that post yesterday.

April 11.-Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson, commanding at Fort Johnson, reports the firing of yesterday as follows: Battery Cheves fired 3 shells at a working party at the Swamp Angel; effect unknown. No firing from Simkins. The enemy did not fire, therefore no casualties to report. Major Campbell, commanding artillery, Section 2, reports that nothing unusual occurred at that post on yesterday. Colonel Graham, commanding at Secessionville, reports that all was quiet yesterday at that post.

April 12.-Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson, commanding Fort Johnson, reports the firing from the batteries from the batteries at that post yesterday as follows: Battery Cheves fired 7 shell at a working party of the enemy at the Swamp Angel; effect unknown. Battery Simkins did not fire. The enemy fired one 10-inc h columbiad shell at Simkins, doing no damage. Major Campbell, commanding artillery, Section 2, reports that yesterday the enemy mounted a gun on the Swamp Angel Battery. Haskell opened fir eon them, but without effect in causing them to deists from their work. The range of fire from the gun will embrace both Sumter and Haskell. Colonel Graham, commanding Secessionville, reports all quiet at that post on yesterday.

April 13.-Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson, commanding at Fort Johnson, reports that there was no firing from Batteries Simkins and Cheves yesterday. The enemy did not fire. Major Campbell, artillery, Section 2, reports that the enemy continue their work on the Swamp Angel Battery, apparently strengthening it. Nothing further observed. No casualties. Colonel Graham, commanding Secessionville, reports that all was quiet at that post yesterday.

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*The record entered from April 9 is identical with that of the 8th, ending with the word "flow" in second line above.

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Page 173 Chapter XLVII. OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR, ETC.