Category Archives: 1863

The Huge Swamp Angel Bombards Charleston

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The “Swamp Angel” – A Union 200-Pounder Parrott Gun.

August 22-23, 1863

The “Swamp Angel” was a Union 200-pounder Parrott Gun used on August 22-23, 1863, at Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina to shell nearby Charleston.

Quincy A. Gillmore

Quincy A. Gillmore

On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was bombarded by Confederate batteries located around Charleston Harbor. Within thirty-four hours the Fort Sumter had surrendered and a long, bloody Civil War was underway. From the moment of its surrender, the recapturing of Fort Sumter became one of the Union’s most important objectives. Nearly four years went by before Union forces were successful at retaking Fort Sumter.

By the summer 1863, the Confederate held Fort Sumter had been bombarded by Federal artillery for two years, but the fort still stood and guarded Charleston. At the entrance to Charleston Harbor is Morris Island and Union General Quincy A. Gillmore and his troops were stationed there. Gillmore wanted to construct an artillery battery on Morris Island so he could directly bombard Charleston and force the city to surrender. Gillmore’s plan would bypass troublesome Fort Sumter and other forts in the Charleston Harbor. A big gun with the range to bombard Charleston would allow Gillmore to force the rebel stronghold of Charleston to surrender. General Gillmore needed the Swamp Angel.

The Swamp Angel was huge. It was cast of iron at the West Point Foundry in New York and it weighed 16,700 pounds. The Swamp Angel’s barrel bore was 8-inches and it had an 11-foot bore depth. Even the construction of the battery and parapet needed for the Swamp Angel was impressive. Merely getting this giant gun into place on the swampy, mushy, ground of Morris Island (with mud sometimes twenty-feet deep) in Charleston Harbor was a challenging engineering job. Construction of the battery and parapet began on August 2, and it included:

  • 13,000 sandbags weighing greater than 800 tons total
  • 123 pine timbers, 45-55 feet in length and 15-18 inches in diameter
  • 5,000 feet of 1-inch thick board
  • 9,500 feet of 3-inch thick planking
  • The spikes, nails, and iron required to hold it all together weighed 1,200 pounds
  • 75 fathoms (450 feet) of rope, 3 inches thick

The Swamp Angel used a 17-pound powder charge to fire a 200-pound projectile 7,900 yards into the heart of Charleston. To add to the threat of the Swamp Angel, the projectiles could be filled with an incendiary fluid called “Greek Fire” that would set Charleston ablaze. On August 17 the Swamp Angel arrived at Morris Island. An awesome weapon of war was about to go to work.

A Huge Monster Cannon

Gillmore sent a message on August 21, to General P. G. T. Beauregard demanding the evacuation of Confederate posts on Morris Island and Fort Sumter, or else shelling of Charleston would start. The Yankees had sighted the Swamp Angel in on the steeple of St. Michael’s Church. Beauregard gave no reply to Gillmore’s demands.

At 1:30 A.M. on August 22, the Swamp Angel belched and roared its first shot at Charleston. Bells, whistles, and alarms from Charleston could soon be heard on Morris Island. Before daylight arrived, fifteen more shots rained down on Charleston from the Swamp Angel. Twelve of these shots filled with Greek Fire.

Charleston was receiving the wrath of the Union in the form of horrible huge shells filled with fire, shot from a huge monster cannon 7,900 yards away. On August 23, the Swamp Angel belched out more shells into Charleston. It looked like the Confederacy would have to surrender Charleston as the Swamp Angel rained its hellish fiery shells on the city.

When the Swamp Angel fired its thirty-sixth shell on August 23, it did something cast-iron Parrott guns were known for, despite their distinctive wrought iron reinforcing bands positioned around their breeches. On its thirty-sixth firing that day the Swamp Angel’s breech blew out and the gun’s barrel flew on top of the sandbag parapet. The great Swamp Angel was dead.

Although it had suffered some damage and a few fires were set by the Swamp Angel, Charleston was now safe. No further huge guns like the Swamp Angel were placed on the Union’s Morris Island battery.

The Swamp Angel

The Swamp Angel

The Swamp Angel

With its blown breech the Swamp Angel’s military career was over. The great gun now was to be sold as scrap iron and physically forever lost to history. However, new life came to the great Swamp Angel. The good citizens of Trenton, New Jersey bought the Swamp Angel and made it into a monument.

If you visit Trenton today, you will find the Swamp Angel at Cadwalader Park. Even if it could still fire and despite all its monstrous might, the Civil War Swamp Angel’s Greek Fire projectiles could not reach Charleston, South Carolina from Trenton, New Jersey. The people of Charleston may rest easy. The Swamp Angel is no longer a threat to them.

The Swamp Angel picture is courtesy of: CivilWarAlbum.com

Learn More About Civil War Artillery…

The Death Of Stonewall Jackson

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General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson Crosses Over the River

May 10th, 1863

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson

At Chancellorsville during the night of May 2, Stonewall Jackson is struck three times by friendly fire. A bullet each to Jackson’s right hand and left wrist, and a third to his left arm between the shoulder and elbow. The third bullet fractured Jackson’s humerus bone and injured his brachial artery, this wound was very serious and it bled profusely. Doctors amputated Jackson’s left arm two inches below the shoulder early the morning of May 3.

As the days pass, Jackson is healing and recovering well from the amputation and other wounds. The prognosis for Stonewall’s recovery looked good.

Early the morning on May 7, Jackson awoke and complained of a sharp pain in his right side. A doctor’s examination determines that Stonewall has pneumonia. Since the amputation of his left arm Jackson had been alert and sharp of mind, but with pneumonia he became feverish, lapsing in and out of consciousness.

Sometimes Jackson would speak coherently with those around him, but at other times he was in a delirium… giving orders to subordinates as if he were still on a battlefield.

Mary Anna Jackson Arrives With Baby Julia

Jackson’s wife Anna was summoned to his bedside. Anna arrived on May 7, bringing little Julia with her, the Jackson’s five-month-old baby. Stonewall had seen baby Julia only once before. In Stonewall Jackson’s coherent and lucid moments he was able to visit with Anna and baby Julia, but his pneumonia was very dire and his condition continued to decline. By the morning of Sunday, May 10, the doctors knew the general’s time on earth was short.

Stonewall Jackson was a devout Presbyterian, his faith in God was the cornerstone of his life. In his personal habits Jackson neither drank or smoked. Anna was told her husband would not live through the day, she asked her dying love: “Do you not feel willing to acquiesce in God’s allotment, if He will you go today?” and Jackson replied, “I prefer it.” Anna continued, “Before this day closes, you will be with the Blessed Savior in his glory.” Jackson replied: “I will be an infinite gainer to be translated.”

As this Sunday in early May continued, Jackson’s condition worsened more and more. He was becoming weak and exhausted, his breathing difficult. Anna asked her husband if he realized that before sunset he would be with his savior. But Jackson thought otherwise and told his wife: “Oh no, you are frightened my child, death is not so near. I may yet get well.” Anna told her husband the doctors said there was no hope.

Always Desired To Die On Sunday

Jackson called for his doctor, saying to him: “Doctor, Anna informs me that you have told her that I am to die today.” The doctor answered: “That is so.” Jackson replied, “Very good, very good, it is all right.” Later, when his strength was further slipping away, Jackson spoke: “It is the Lord’s day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday.”

At 1:30 in the afternoon Jackson’s doctor noticed the general was conscious, he told Jackson that he had only but a couple of hours left yet to live. Brandy and water were offered, but Jackson declined saying: “It will only delay my departure and do no good. I want to preserve my mind to the last.” Soon, the famed Confederate general’s mind was back in delirious confusion.

Stonewall first gave orders like he was on a battlefield, then like he was at a mess table talking with his staff, then with his wife and daughter, then he was at his prayers… all this while lying in bed with his mind clouded by unrelenting fever.

Let Us Cross Over The River And Rest Under The Shade Of The Trees

The Sunday of May 10, 1863 was a beautiful spring day at Guinea Station, Virginia, where a great Confederate general lay dying in a farmhouse bed. In the early afternoon, General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson spoke: “Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks…”

After that Jackson paused, then with a smile he spoke his last words: “Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”

At 3:15 in the afternoon on May 10, 1863 Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson gained his infinite translation, making his way to eternity.

Lee’s Right Arm Is Gone Forever

Stonewall Jackson, General Robert E. Lee’s “right arm,” was now gone forever. The great Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, where Lee had gambled and won (this battle would become known as Lee’s “masterpiece”), had came with a tragic loss for Lee. Thomas Jonathan Jackson could never be replaced. In battles yet to come, General Lee and the Confederacy would sorely miss Stonewall Jackson and his aggressive leadership.

Stonewall Jackson’s Lexington, Virginia Home

Stonewall Jackson on Little Sorrel

Stonewall Jackson on Little Sorrel

The only home Stonewall Jackson ever owned is a brick house in Lexington, Virginia. Jackson owned this home before the Civil War as he taught at the nearby Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Today, the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington is a Registered National Landmark and is open to visitors.

A number of Jackson’s personal items are on display at his home. While in Lexington, you will learn much about Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson at VMI’s museum, where you may view the preserved Little Sorrel, Jackson’s horse.

Also in Lexington is the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Jackson is buried there along with other Confederate veterans.

 

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