Thirty-three year old Lt. Cmdr. Kidder Randolph Breese, Porter's Fleet Captain, was appointed to lead the Naval assault and to coordinate with the Army's attack. The force moved to within 1200 yards of the fort and the fleet set off its whistles to signal the attack.
The fort's commander, Col. William Lamb, led his men to the defense of the northeast bastion while the fleet continued its heavy fire until the sailors and Marines were withing 600 yards. Ensign Robley Evans was assigned to lead his ship's contingent. At 500 yards, the Confederates opened fire on the column, causing the men at the front to drop on their stomachs in the sand.
Naval and Marine officers rose and called on their men to follow on. At 300 yards, another volley was let upon them. Eighteen-year old Evans led his men along the beach at the head of his men. He pulled his hat down over his eyes so as not to see the flash of guns from the top of the parapet and then he was wounded in the chest, but shortly realized he could continue on as it was a flesh wound.
Getting Hot Out There. --Old B-Runner
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