"Take It If You Can"-- Fort Sumter

SEPTEMBER 7TH-8TH-- After the evacuation of Morris Island, Rear Admiral Dahlgren demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter. "I replied, General Beauregard wrote, "to take it if he could."

Indeed, after all the bombardments it now had the appearance "from seaward...of a steep, sandy island more than that of a fort."

Dahlgren prepares to attack Fort Sumter again, but the monitor USS Weehawken runs aground and came under heavy fire from Fort Moultrie and batteries on Sullivan's and James Islands. The USS New Ironsides took up position between the Weehawken and Fort Moultrie, drawing fire and was forced to withdraw,  being hit 50 times after running out of ammunition.

The Weehawken was finally floated with the assistance of tugs.

--Old B-Runner