Fort Wagner II/Morris Island
- Other Name:
- Second Assault, Morris Island
- Campaign:
- Operations Against Defenses of Charleston
- Date(s):
- April-September 1863
- Principal Commanders:
-
Brigadier General Quincy Gillmore [US]
Brigadier General Pierre Beauregard [CS]
- Forces Engaged:
- 6800 total (US 5000; CS 1800;)
- Estimated Casualties:
- 1737 total (US 1515; CS 222;)
- 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.
- Results:
- Confederate Victory
- CWSAC Reference #:
- SC007
- Preservation Priority:
