Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/55

 Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John G. Pressley. 49

and the infantry on the island were left to the usual routine of camp life. The opportunity was thus given and improved to carry the drill and discipline of the Twenty-fifth still nearer a state of perfection.

The enemy landed on Coles Island during the month and established their out-posts on Taylor's and Battery Islands.

April ^^ i86j. — A large fleet of wooden vessels and nine turreted iron- clad gun-boats were on this day reported off the bar. It was also ascertained that there was a considerable land force on Coles Island. Colonel Simonton returned to the regiment and relieved me of the command. (He did not remain with us very long, being again detached and given a brigadier's command.)

April 6th. — I was to-day field officer of the day, and had the com- mand of the pickets composed mostly of a portion of our regi- ment. The advanced pickets occupied Horse Island on the banks of Green Creek. We occupied one bank of the creek and the enemy's picket line the other. In the afternoon our advanced pickets at the old bridge on Green Creek exchanged shots with the enemy's pickets ; nobody hurt on our side.

April.jth. — The regiment had a quiet day in camp, but neverthe- less this was an eventful day in the history of Charleston. The iron- clad fleet of the enemy crossed the bar and approached Fort Sumter. The garrison of the fort consisted of the First regiment of artillery (regulars), under the command of Colonel Alfred Rhett. Our Sur- geon, W. C. Ravenel, M. D., went with me down to Fort Johnson to witness the fight. It lasted about two hours and a half. It was a magnificent sight. Perhaps never before in the history of wars were there as many guns of such heavy calibre used in one action. The Contederates had the advantage in the number of guns, but the heavier calibre of the Federal artillery more than counter- balanced this advantage. Forts Sumter and Moultrie, Battery Gregg, on Morris Island, at Cumming's Point, were all engaged using all of their metal to bear on the fleet. The monitors offered such a small mark that it was very difficult to strike them, particularly while in motion. The practice of our artillerists was, however, highly creditable. The iron- clads were struck a number of times. No other fleet then in the world would have floated through such a bombardment. The shot from our heaviest guns glanced from the turrets of the monitors do- ing apparently no harm. At last the Keokuk drew off evidently in- jured, and soon the whole fleet steamed out of the range of our guns. April 8th. — To-day news reached camp that the Keokuk had sunk off" Morris Island.