I have the honor to state that I could not concur with
Captain Rodgers, with whom I was directed to confer, in his plan for the
entrance of the harbor of Charleston with men and provisions for Fort Sumter.
He proposes to procure a vessel (steamboat), with a draught of not over six and
one-half feet, in some Northern port, and with the cargo to be cleared for
Charleston, letting it be known, as if in confidence, that the design is to
force a landing on the southern extreme of Morris Island; to carry the
batteries by the rear and destroy the channel; to bring in the vessel, the
vessel to regulate her speed so as to arrive off the bar in a dark night and at
high tide, and to proceed through the Swash Channel with her lights
extinguished; in case of discovery and being fired at, to drop a cork with a
light in it, which would deceive the gunners. If the batteries are lighted up
the men cannot see in the distance; if they are not, the lights will not be
visible. The commander is to be allowed to back his vessel in case of a storm
on the way down.
My objections to this plan are very numerous. In the first
place, the deception would be apparent, as no one would attempt a forced
landing with means possible to such a vessel. Secondly, not being a sea-going vessel
the danger to life and the success of the undertaking is so great as to appear
imprudent at best. Thirdly, it is unsafe to calculate upon not being seen off
the bar, as a number of watch vessels, some with troops and cannon, are
stationed off and along the entrance. Fourthly, even though the above dangers
should all be safely passed and it should prove a moonless night and high tide
at a proper time, still a chance shot through the machinery would defeat the
enterprise.
The plan is grounded upon the most fortunate and improbable
circumstances. It might succeed; but I think failure would be the rule. By an
examination of the chart of the harbor of Charleston it will be seen that the
Swash Channel passes outside the range of all the batteries erected along the
entrance, except, perhaps, the small one near Cummings Point (of one 32-pounder
and one 12-pounder), and this can be safely neglected. Fort Moultrie can bring
several guns to bear for a mile and a half (not ten minutes), but their field
has been greatly reduced by the traverse with small embrasures lately thrown up
on the parapet. Considering as effective all the means in the hands of those
hostile to the undertakings, the following are at present to be noticed: The
channel will not admit of more than six and one-half feet draught with ease in
sailing; at least one steamer with troops and field guns will be near the bar;
a line of pilot schooners and signal vessels form a cordon outside the bar; the
main ship channel is obstructed with sunken ships; Maffitt's Channel is raked
and crossed by the fires of Moultrie and batteries placed along Sullivan's
Island; the buoys and range lights are removed; the anchorage, except a small
area, is under the fire of guns from the several fortified points; the Swash
Channel is readily followed by ranging Fort Sumter on St. Michael's till within
five hundred yards of the fort, where a detour to the right will be necessary.
Carefully navigated, passing very near the north side of the fort, the vessel
may be brought to the wharf at high tide. If not successful, small boats may be
furnished by the fort. The only effective guns are those of Fort Moultrie on
this entrance. I have the honor to propose that a war vessel (the Brooklyn
best) be dispatched with two schooners and two ordinary steam-tugs, each of not
more than six feet and a half draught, and under the same pretension as that
first proposed, and this combination will give color to the rumor. One of the
schooners is to be loaded with
provisions entirely, and the hay is to be stored on the starboard. The
other, with some provisions, is to carry the troops. The vessels arrived off
the bar, the Brooklyn can keep all hostile vessels at a distance and make the
following arrangement:
The vessel with provisions is to be placed upon the right,
next a screw-tug, next the vessel with troops, and again a tug. The right-hand
vessel will cover those on the left, protecting from fire the troops and means
of locomotion. The vessels should arrive off the bar two hours before high
tide, so that the tide will be rising all the way in, and if grounded may be
floated off in a short time. To prevent vessels from the city and the cutters
inside the harbor from interfering, the fort shall be signaled, and will reply
by lowering its flag or showing a light, and will prevent any vessel going out.
Signals should be agreed upon, and the time, day or night, also. Two field
pieces, loaded with canister, might be used to meet a desperate attempt to
board the vessels. The hay in bales should be wet, to prevent heated balls from
setting fire to the vessels.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
1 (Serial No. 1), p. 201-2
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