140 



ARMY OPERATIONS. 



lie also says that " by a longer fire it could be made 

 more completely a ruin and a mass of broken masonry, 

 but could scarcely be made more powerless for the de- 

 fence of the harbor." 



My breaching batteries were located at distances 

 ranging between 8,320 and 4,240 yards from the works, 

 and now remain as efficient as ever. I deem it unne- 

 cessary, at present, to continue the fire upon the ruins 

 of Fort Sumter. 



I have also, under a heavy fire from James Island, 

 established batteries on my left, within effective range 

 of the heart of Charleston city, and have opened with 

 them, after giving Gen. Beauregard due notice of my 

 "intention to do so. 



My notification to Gen. Beauregard, his reply there- 

 to, with the threat of retaliation, and my rejoinder, 

 have been transmitted to the army headquarters. 



The projectiles from my batteries entered the city, 

 and Gen. Beauregard himself designates them as the 

 " most destructive missiles ever used in war." 



The report of my chief of artillery, and an accurate 

 sketch- of the ruins of Fort Sumter, taken at 12 M. yes- 

 terday, six hours before we ceased firing, are herewith 

 transmitted. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Q. A. GILLMORE, 

 Brigadier-General Commanding. 



OFFICE OP CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, DEPARTMENT OF ) 

 THE SOUTH, MORBIS ISLAND, 8. C.. V 

 August 28d, 1863. ) 

 Brig. 'Gen, Q. A. Gttlmore, Commanding Department 



of the South, Morris Island, S. C. : 

 GENERAL : I have the honor to report the effect that 

 our breaching batteries have had upon Fort Sumter, 

 and the condition of that work to-night, at the close of 

 the seven days' bombardment. 



The gorge wall of the fort is almost a complete mass 

 of ruins. For the distance of several casemates about 

 midway of this face the ramparts are removed nearly, 

 and in places quite to the arches, and but for the sand 

 bags, with which the casemates were filled, and which 

 have served to sustain the broken arches and masses 

 of masonry, it would have long since been entirely cut 

 away, and with it the arches to the floor of the second 

 tier of casemates. The debris on this point now forms 

 a ramp reaching as high as the floor of the casemates. 



The parapet wall of the two northeasterly faces is com- 

 pletely carried away, a small portion only being left in 

 the angle made with the gorge wall, and the ramparts 

 of these faces are also a total ruin. Quite one half of 

 our projectiles seem to have struck the parade and 

 parapet of these two faces, and judging from the effect 

 they nave had upon the gorge wall within our obser- 

 vation, the destruction of masonry on these two sides 

 must be very great, and I am of opinion that nearly 

 every arch in these fronts must be broken in. But 

 one gun remains in position on these two fronts. This 

 is in the angle of the gorge, and I think unserviceable. 



The ruin extends around, taking in the northeast- 

 erly face as far as can be seen. A portion of this face 

 adjoining the angle it makes with the southeasterly 

 face is concealed, but from the great number of mis- 

 siles which have struck in this angJte during the last 

 two days, it cannot be otherwise than greatly damaged, 

 and I do not think any guns can be left on this face in 

 a serviceable condition. 



The ramparts on this angle, as well as in the south- 

 easterly face, must be ploughed up and greatly shat- 

 tered ; the parapet on this latter face being torn off in 

 many places, as we can see, and I hardly think the 

 platforms of the three remaining guns on this face 

 could have escaped. 



.With the assistance of a powerful glass, I cannot 

 determine that more than one of these guns can be 

 used. The carriages of the others are evidently more 

 or less shattered, and such is the ruin of the parapet 

 and parade in the immediate vicinity of this gun 

 that it probably could not be .served for any length of 

 time. 



In fine, the destruction of the fort is so far complete 

 that it is to-day of no avail in the defence of the harbor 

 of Charleston ; by a longer fire it can be made more 

 completely a ruin and a mass of broken masonry, but 

 could scarcely be more powerless for the defence of the 

 harbor. 



I therefore respectfully submit my opinion that a 

 continuance of our fire is no longer necessary, as giv- 

 ing us no ends adequate for the consumption of our 

 resources. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JOHN W. TURNER, 

 Colonel and Chief of Artillery. 



The correspondence mentioned in the pre- 

 ceding despatch commenced on the 21st. On 

 that day Gen. Gillmoro addressed the following 

 note to Gen. Beauregard : 



HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SotTTH, I 



MORRIS ISLAND, 8. C., Augu*t 21< 1868. f 

 To Gtn. G. T. Beauregard, Commanding Confederate 



Forces, Charleston, 8. C. : 



GENERAL : I have the honor to demand of you the 

 immediate evacuation of Morris Island and Fort Sum- 

 ter by the Confederate forces. The present condition 

 of Fort tiumter, and the rapid and progressive destruc- 



tion which it is undergoing from my batteries, seem to 

 render its complete demolition within a few hours a 

 matter of certainty. All my heaviest guns have not yet 

 opened. 



Should you refuse compliance with this demand, 

 or should I receive no reply thereto within four hours 

 after it is delivered into the hands of your subordinate 

 at Fort Wagner for transmission, I shall open fire on 

 the city of Charleston from batteries already estab- 

 lished within easy and effective range of the heart of 

 the city. 



I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 

 vant, Q. A. GILLMORE, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. 



