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67th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
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Assault on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, South Carolina
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July 18, 1863
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Map courtesy Civil War Maps Collection, Library of Congress
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Report of Major Lewis Butler, 67th Ohio Infantry, of second assault on Battery Wagner, July 18.
HDQRS. 67th Regiment OHIO VOL. INFANTY, Hilton Head, S. C., February 2, 1864
GENERAL: Agreeable to your request I have the honor to report that on the evening of July 18, 1863, in the charge on Wagner, my regiment, the 67th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, went into the charge third in line of Putnam's brigade in the following order, in deployed column: First, 7th New Hampshire; second, 100th New York; third, 67th Ohio; fourth, 62nd Ohio, Lieutenant Colonel Steele; our brigade preceded by Strong's brigade. For some reason unknown to me our brigade was halted near the beacon-house, and Strong's brigade allowed to proceed on toward the fort.
After remaining some twenty minutes we were ordered forward under a most galling fire. When about the fifth parallel our columns were very much disturbed by stragglers from Strong's brigade and the breaking of the 100th New York. It was here that we met the 3rd New Hampshire and 9th Maine moving back by the flank. Upon arriving near the glacis the balance of Strong's brigade were lying down. Upon our brigade coming up they arose and the final assault was made. Of the number gained the fort from each regiment, I am not able to say, but this I will state, that the only regiments that showed anything approaching an organization at this time were the 48th New York, 6th Connecticut, 7th New Hampshire, 67th and 62nd Ohio. A few men of the 54th Massachusetts (colored) and a few of the 100th New York were in the fort, but upon calling for the officers none reported to me do me from either of those regiments. I believe that in all there were not more than between 400 and 500 men in the fort from both brigades.
Upon my reaching the parapet of the fort, seeing the confusion, I ordered the firing to cease. Called for Colonel Putnam. Getting no response, I called for Colonel Dandy. No response from him. I immediately reconnoitered our position. Finding that we had driven them from the south bastion and a portion of the sea front, and finding the force so disorganized that it was impossible to make a farther advance into the fort, I immediately distributed the force at my command so as to hold what we had already gained. After making this disposition of the men I again renewed my calls for other field officers, and at this time Colonel Putnam came upon the parapet. I learned from him that he had been outside the ditch, endeavoring to keep the men from going to the rear. I asked the colonel what he was going to do. He replied that he did not know what to do. Question: "Is Stevenson's brigade coming to our support?" He replied that he did not know. Question by him: "What do you think best? My reply was: "We cannot advance any farther with what force we have in its present disorganized state, and that I deemed it insufficient under any circumstances. That the best we could do was to hold our position until we got reinforcements, and that with the help of another brigade we could take the fort or at least hold it until we got our dead and wounded off, and that we had better send for reinforcements".
Question by him: "Have you got a trusty lieutenant that you can send to the rear?" I replied that I had, and called Lieutenant Rodney J. Hathaway. No reply. I then called Lieutenant John C. Cochrane, who commanded Company K of the 67th Ohio. Told him to go to the rear and say to the general that we held a portion of the fort, and if he would send Stevenson's brigade that we could take the fort, or at least hold it until our dead and wounded were taken from the field. This conversation took place between us on top of the parapet, both standing erect.
As Lieutenant Cochrane went out of the Fort I was watching to see him cross the ditch, which was enfiladed by the guns on the sea bastion, and while he was in the ditch Colonel Putnam turned to me and remarked, "Major, we had better get out of this," and fell dead with the last word on his lips. I called his adjutant and Lieutenant Cate, his aide, who were in the fort, to carry him off. As they were approaching him Lieutenant Cate also fell, and the adjutant, after examining him, left the fort. The fight was now raging severe. There was yet a hand to-hand contest at the entrance to the bastion from the main body of the fort.
I then called a council of the officers in the fort, not wishing to hazard anything further without their co-operation. All agreed to hold out until we could hear from the rear. After waiting twice the length of time which I knew it would require to move Stevenson's brigade to our support, at about 10:30 o'clock, observing that the rebels were being re-enforced and we making preparations for a sally upon both flanks, I gave the order to retire. Ordering Captain Coan, of the 48th New York, to go down into the bastion and get all of the men that were able to get out without disturbing those who were engaged with the enemy, he soon reported to me that all had left that would leave or could leave. I then went around the fort, relieved the men engaged, a few at a time, so that the rebels did not know when we did leave. To this course I attribute our getting away at all.
Now for personalities. Among the most prominent officers in the fort that night who did their duty in a cool, deliberate manner, were Captain Coan, now major-of the 48th New York; Captain Klein, now major of 6th Connecticut; Captain Taylor and Captain Kahler, of the 62nd Ohio. Of those prominent in the fort of my own officers every one that was wounded went into the fort, and as readily obeyed commands as on parade. These were Captain Lewis C. Hunt, Captain Alfred P. Girty, Lieutenants Cochrane, Hathaway, Kief, Bell, Ward, and Briggs. There might have been other officers in the fort, but those whom I have mentioned were officers who came under my personal notice.
The report that the 54th Massachusetts (colored) did more that any other regiment upon that occasion is, in my opinion, a base fabrication. That they were in the fort as an organization I positively deny. I found but few of them in the fort and none that appeared to be under the control of any officer of the regiment. There were in that regiment, as every other, individual instances of personal courage that deserve credit, but as a regiment I claim that a great deal more is awarded it than was its just due. The officers whom I have specified, the men of the organization to which they belong, were the men who were in the fort and did all that possible for men to do under the circumstances.
The 3rd New Hampshire and 9th Maine Regiments had no men in the fort that I know of; the 100th New York had but very few. About the time that we were entering the fort Captain John B. Chapman, of our regiment, who was wounded and going to the rear, saw Colonel Dandy just above the battery inquiring for his regiment, and was informed by him that he would find it in the rear. My firm belief is that there were more men in the fort from the two Ohio regiments than from any others. I do not say this through any partiality for the Ohio boys, but perhaps from the fact that I was known to the officers and men of those regiments and they more readily obeyed my commands. Great credit is due Captain Coan, of the 48th New York, and Captain Klein, of the 6th Connecticut. They appeared to be the only officers of their regiments in the fort who were laboring to rally their men, standing firm themselves at exposed points.
In conclusion let me say that the repulse we suffered was entirely owing to our not being promptly sustained, and the consequence the numerous loss of life and expenditure of money which had to be incurred to regain the position which we had gained at so fearful a loss of life, and might have been held at a light expense to what it eventually cost. In this report I have not attempted to give anything a coloring which did not belong to it, but as nearly as possible give you a plain statement of facts which came under my notice. Of the scenes of carnage, of the determined valor of the troops, I need not speak, but the fact that they gained the fort amid the darkness of the night and under as withering a fire as any troops were ever exposed, and held it near three hours against fearful odds, speaks a volume for the personal courage of the men which cannot be written.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEWIS BUTLER,
Major 67th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Brigadier-General SEYMOUR,
Commanding U. S. Forces, Hilton Head.
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Casualties
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Field and Staff
Colonel Alvin C. Voris, wounded in abdominal wall
Lieutenant Colonel Henry S. Commager- wounded in both arms and left lung
Adjutant George L. Childs- slightly wounded in leg
Sergeant Major Emil Rampano- slightly wounded in leg
Company A
First Lieutenant Charles H. Stevens- wounded in thigh
Second Lieutenant James H. Baxter- missing
First Sergeant Harvey L. Aldrich- slightly wounded in head
Sergeant John T. Baily- leg shot off and captured, died of wounds July 27, 1863
Corporal Henry A. Hampson- seriously wounded in head and leg
Corporal Joseph Hughes- slightly wounded
Corporal Jacob Merbach- wounded in hip
Private Henry Bailey- missing
Private Peter Brady- seriously wounded in body and leg
Private John Connell- captured and died while POW
Private Edson Edwards- wounded in shoulder
Private Frederick Foster- slightly wounded in back and arm
Private George Gillford (Guilford)- wounded in ankle
Private Thomas Girdham- captured
Private Samuel Green- killed in action
Private George Guilbach- captured
Private Sanford P. Hayes- slightly wounded in shoulder
Private Munson Keith- wounded in leg
Private George Libec- wounded and missing
Private John W. McDonald- missing
Private James Ross- seriously wounded in breast, died of wounds February 22, 1864
Private Edward Roth- seriously wounded in leg
Private Samuel Sheffer (Schafer)- slightly wounded in head
Private George Sibel- wounded and captured
Private John A. Smith- missing
Company B
Captain Henry J. Crane- wounded in thigh
Second Lieutenant Elijah Whitmore- wounded in thigh
Sergeant Isaac G. Rideout- wounded in thigh
Sergeant Samuel McDonald (color bearer)- wounded in side
Corporal Samuel Farsht- killed in action
Corporal Frank Godi- killed in action
Private William Bokey- wounded in face
Private Francis Burnham- slightly wounded in leg
Private Christopher DeLucia- wounded in face
Private Vetiella LaPoint- wounded in face and leg
Private Frank O’Callahan- seriously wounded in neck
Private Solomon Raighard- wounded in arm
Private George H. Raker- slightly wounded in side
Private William Raker- wounded
Company C
Captain John B. Chapman- slightly wounded in arm
Sergeant Christian Getz- wounded in arm, broken
Sergeant William Snyder- wounded and captured
Corporal Edward Hillman- died of wounds July 27, 1863
Corporal Tobias J. Miller- killed in action
Corporal Emanuel B. Rowe- slightly wounded in hip
Corporal Christian Swartz- wounded in arm
Corporal Alonzo L. Treat- wounded in foot
Private Nicholas Andres- killed in action
Private John Frankhauser- wounded and captured, died while POW March 20, 1864
Private William A. Markley- wounded in side
Private Frederick Michel- wounded in arm
Private Stephen J. Miller- killed in action
Private Christopher Schneider- seriously wounded in arm, broken
Private William Strahm- killed in action
Company D
Second Lieutenant George N. Parsons- seriously wounded in right arm
First Sergeant George W. Russell- wounded in abdomen, died of wounds July 27, 1863
Private James DeLantry (DeLantz)- seriously wounded in thigh
Private James Leary- killed in action
Private John Magrath- captured
Private Matthias Mahan- wounded in shoulder
Private James McManis- slightly wounded in head
Private Michael O’Neill- wounded and captured
Private Barney Tierman- wounded and captured
Company E
First Lieutenant William Nixon- slightly wounded in leg
Second Lieutenant Florence J. O’Sullivan- captured
Sergeant James Bowersock- shot through both legs, killed in action
Sergeant Samuel Bowers- wounded in thigh
Corporal John Kinney- captured, died while POW
Private Harvey Adams- slightly wounded in hand
Private William Hielman- killed in action
Private John W. Miller- captured
Private David Moran- wounded in knee
Private James A. Mularkey- wounded in head
Private Michael A. Sullivan- killed in action
Company F
First Lieutenant George Emmerson- slightly wounded in head
Corporal Peter Colton- slightly wounded in foot
Corporal Datus M. Conklin- captured
Corporal George G. Tappin- seriously wounded in thigh
Private Samuel Blain- severely wounded in head, missing
Private Frank Colton- missing
Private William Devlin- severely wounded in side
Private Samuel Duncan- severely wounded in shoulder
Private James T. Grant- wounded and captured, died of wounds July 22, 1863
Private Daniel Hallett- slightly wounded in hand
Private Frederick Hedsig- severely wounded in hip
Private John H. Kaley- missing
Private William H. Sindle- slightly wounded in foot
Private Francis M. White- severely wounded in hand
Company G
Sergeant Alexander Gordon- wounded in right arm
Sergeant Charles E. Minor- slightly wounded in head
Sergeant Oscar Nicholas- wounded in wrist
Sergeant William Sorge- wounded in shoulder
Corporal Orlando B. Adams- died of wounds July 18, 1863
Corporal David Boyd- wounded in hand
Corporal Hiram Henry- killed in action
Corporal Christ. Wagoner- killed in action
Private William Donahue- wounded in shoulder
Private John Gais- severely wounded in head
Private John Grobb- severely wounded in head
Private James O’Brien- slightly wounded
Private Samuel Reed- slightly wounded
Private John Scully- wounded in hand and foot
Private Sidney J. Varney- wounded in thigh, hand, and foot
Private Augustin Winters- severely wounded in neck
Company H
Captain John C. Albert- killed in action
Sergeant Henry J. Carter- slightly wounded in ankle
Sergeant Jacob D. Minton- seriously wounded in thigh, died of wounds August 11, 1863
Sergeant John H. Whitehead- wounded
Private James W. Callem- seriously wounded in thigh
Private Robert S. Davidson- seriously wounded in arm
Private Sylvester Ellsworth- died of wounds July 31, 1863
Private Albert Griffin- killed in action
Private Frederick Hartman- slightly wounded in hand
Private Mathias Lay- killed in action
Private David Maginnis- slightly wounded in hand
Private Joseph Shepherd- slightly wounded in foot
Private Charles B. Tod- killed in action
Company I
Corporal James Egnew- wounded and died of wounds July 18, 1863
Private Edgar H. Clark- slightly wounded in leg
Private Isaac Eckley- wounded and captured
Company K
Sergeant Louis W. Hebenthal- slightly wounded in arm
Sergeant John P. Owen- wounded in hand
Sergeant James Shoemaker- severely wounded in shoulder
Corporal Andrew J. Kline- wounded in elbow
Corporal James Whitton- wounded in arm
Private Daniel C. Bliss- wounded in hip
Private George J. Brewster- wounded in leg, killed in action
Private Alonzo H. Hopkins- wounded in shoulder, died of wounds September 3, 1863
Private Rudolph Howery- severely wounded in head
Private Marvin Jeffries- killed in action
Private Hiram Murdock- wounded and captured, died of wounds July 23, 1863
Private Harrison North- wounded and captured
Private Edwin Russell- wounded in thigh
Private William H. Stebbins- wounded in leg, died of wounds August 22, 1863
Private William Wesley Turk- slightly wounded
Private Philo B. Weaver- wounded and captured
Private James Young- wounded in arm, broken
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