Second Battle of Fort Wagner

Other Names: Second Assault, Morris Island

Location: Morris Island, South Carolina

Campaign: Operations against Defenses of Charleston (1863)

Date: July 18-September 7, 1863

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Quincy Gillmore [US]; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard [CS]

Forces Engaged: 6,800 total (US 5,000; CS 1,800)

Casualties and losses: 1,689 total (US 1,515; CS 174)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

After the July 11 assault on Fort Wagner failed, Gillmore reinforced his beachhead on Morris Island. At dusk July 18, Gillmore launched an attack spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a black regiment. The unit's colonel, Robert Gould Shaw, was killed. Members of the brigade scaled the parapet but after brutal hand-to-hand combat were driven out with heavy casualties. The Federals resorted to siege operations to reduce the fort. This was the fourth time in the war that black troops played a crucial combat role, proving to skeptics that they would fight bravely if only given the chance. The fort was reinforced by Brigadier General Johnson Hagood's brigade shortly after the assault had ended. The garrison of Fort Wagner was then changed during the night, and General Hagood assumed command.