April 13, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
THE MORRIS ISLAND BATTERIES that participated in the recent engagement with the iron-clad fleet were Battery Wagner and the Cumming’s Point Battery. They were ordered not to open fire until the last of the attacking fleet had come within range, and hence it chanced that their first fire was directed against the doomed monster Keokuk. The firing at these batteries, like that at all the others which were engaged, was highly creditable – a large proportion of their shots having hit the mark. We have heard the manner in which the guns at the Cumming’s Point Battery were handled highly commended. In entering the fight, by way of Ship Channel, the Monitors passed Battery Wagner with closed ports; but when withdrawing, baffled and disappointed, from the contest, every turret vomited forth it huge missiles against the defiant sand fort. Battery Wagner was commanded by Maj. CLELAND K. HUGER, and was manned by the Mathewes Artillery, Capt. J. RAVEN MATHEWES, and the Gist Guard, Capt. C. E. CHICHESTER, who hastened from a sick bed to participate in the fight. – The Cumming’s Point Battery was commanded by First Lieutenant LESESNE, and manned by a detachment from his regiment, the 1st S. C. (regular) Artillery. Neither battery was damaged by the enemy’s fire, and the only casualties that occurred were those resulting from the accidental ignition and explosion of an ammunition chest. The effects of this terrible explosion are detailed in the following note from Captain MATHEWES:
BATTERY WAGNER, 11th April, 1863.
To the Editor of the Mercury: I will thank you to publish, for the benefit of the friends and families of those of my command who were so unfortunate as to be injured by the accident at this battery during the action of the 7th instant, the following correct list:
Killed – Sergeant G. W. Langley, from Aiken, S. C.; Privates Amos Fitzgerald and Jerry Dyer, from Habersham County, Georgia.
Wounded – 2d Lieutenant G. E. Steadman, not dangerously, from Aiken; Corporal Mathew Martin, slightly, from Habersham County, Georgia; Privates Samuel Red, seriously, from Barnwell District; Marion Quillon, slightly, from Barnwell District; Thos. Prince, slightly, from Aiken.
J. RAVEN MATHEWES,
Captain Mathewes Artillery.