A pivotal American Civil War battle where Union forces launched two major assaults against Confederate Fort Wagner near Charleston. The battle is particularly notable for featuring the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first African American regiments, in a heroic charge that helped change perceptions of Black soldiers.

The assault on Fort Wagner stands as one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. On July 18, 1863, Union forces launched a daring attack against this Confederate stronghold located on Morris Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The fort's strategic position made it a crucial target in the Union's campaign to capture Charleston Harbor.

Fort Wagner served as a critical Confederate fortification protecting Charleston Harbor during the American Civil War. Its strategic value stemmed from both its geographical position and its robust defensive infrastructure.

Fort Wagner occupied a dominant position on Morris Island's northern end, stretching 600 feet east to west and 250 feet north to south. The fort's walls rose 30 feet above sea level, constructed from earth and sand that effectively absorbed artillery fire. A 10-foot-deep moat surrounded the fort's front, while its rear faced the marshes of Vincent's Creek.

Defense features included:

• 14 heavy artillery pieces
• 1,700 feet of underground bombproof shelters
• Multiple powder magazines
• A protected freshwater well
• Network of rifle pits and obstacles

Fort Wagner formed a crucial component in Charleston's three-tiered harbor defense system. The fort's position enabled its guns to:

• Control the shipping channel into Charleston Harbor

• Protect Fort Sumter from land-based attacks

• Prevent Union warships from establishing a foothold on Morris Island

• Maintain communication lines between Confederate forces

• Forcing enemy ships within range of Confederate guns

• Providing interlocking fields of fire with other harbor defenses

• Blocking Union access to Charleston's vital port facilities

• Securing Confederate supply routes through the harbor

Fort Wagner's Defense Statistics
Artillery Pieces	14
Wall Height	30 feet
East-West Length	600 feet
North-South Width	250 feet
Moat Depth	10 feet

The initial Union assault on Fort Wagner occurred on July 11, 1863, marking the first major attempt to capture this Confederate stronghold. Union forces launched a direct frontal attack under the command of Brigadier General George C. Strong.

The Union battle plan centered on a three-pronged assault approach. Strong's brigade deployed 1,500 troops from the 7th Connecticut Infantry supported by the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Naval vessels, including the USS Catskill, USS Montauk, USS Nahant, delivered concentrated artillery fire on Fort Wagner from 12:20 PM to 2:30 PM. Three Union gunboats positioned in the Lighthouse Inlet provided additional fire support.

Union Forces	Numbers
Infantry troops	1,500
Naval vessels	4
Artillery pieces	12

Confederate Colonel Robert Graham commanded Fort Wagner's garrison of 1,000 defenders during the initial assault. The defenders utilized the fort's advanced defensive features:

• Positioned sharpshooters in rifle pits along the southeastern approach
• Maintained concentrated artillery fire from 14 heavy guns
• Deployed infantry units behind sand walls 30 feet high
• Utilized the 10-foot-deep moat to impede Union advancement
• Coordinated cross-fire from adjacent batteries

The Confederate forces successfully repelled the attack, inflicting 339 Union casualties while suffering only 12 losses. Graham's troops exploited their elevated position behind the parapets to deliver devastating fire on the advancing Union forces.

Battle Casualties	Numbers
Union losses	339
Confederate losses	12

The second assault on Fort Wagner marked a pivotal moment in the Civil War, featuring 5,000 Union troops in a direct frontal assault against the Confederate stronghold. Union forces launched this major offensive under the command of Brigadier General Quincy A. Gillmore, incorporating both naval bombardment and ground forces.

The 54th Massachusetts Infantry, led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, spearheaded the assault on Fort Wagner at dusk on July 18, 1863. This all-black regiment advanced across 200 yards of beach amid intense Confederate artillery fire, grape shot and canister rounds. The 54th reached the fort's parapet, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with Confederate defenders for 30 minutes before being forced to retreat. Colonel Shaw fell during the initial charge, killed while leading his men over the fort's walls.

Key points of the 54th's charge:

• 600 men participated in the frontal assault
• Advanced through 200 yards of exposed beach
• Suffered 272 casualties, including 54 killed
• Demonstrated exceptional valor under heavy fire

The battle resulted in significant losses for Union forces:

Category	Union Losses	Confederate Losses
Killed	246	36
Wounded	880	133
Missing/Captured	389	0
Total Casualties	1,515	169

Confederate defenders maintained several tactical advantages:

• Elevated position with clear firing lines
• Strong fortifications protecting 1,800 defenders
• Advanced artillery placement
• Superior defensive positioning against naval bombardment
• Network of protected trenches and bombproofs

The assault's failure demonstrated the effectiveness of Fort Wagner's defenses against frontal attacks, leading Union commanders to adopt siege tactics for future operations against the fortification.

Following the failed assault of July 18, Union forces initiated a systematic siege of Fort Wagner that lasted 60 days. The operation combined sustained artillery bombardment with trench warfare tactics to gradually weaken the Confederate stronghold.

The Union army established a series of parallel trenches advancing toward Fort Wagner starting July 19, 1863. Federal engineers deployed 36 siege guns including:

Artillery Type	Number Deployed	Primary Function
Parrott rifles	12	Long-range bombardment
Mortars	15	High-angle fire
Naval guns	9	Coastal defense suppression

The bombardment maintained a relentless pace of 1,000 rounds per day, targeting the fort's walls and gun positions. By late August, Union forces had advanced their siege lines to within 250 yards of the fort's walls using a combination of trenching and sandbagged fortifications.

Confederate forces evacuated Fort Wagner on September 7, 1863, under the cover of darkness. Key factors leading to the evacuation included:

• Deteriorating structural integrity of fort walls from constant bombardment
• Shortage of fresh water after Union shells damaged the main well
• Rising casualties from artillery fire totaling 372 defenders
• Threat of being cut off from reinforcement due to advancing Union trenches
• Flooding of gun positions caused by Union destruction of drainage systems

The Confederate garrison withdrew to Charleston via rowboats, leaving behind 18 artillery pieces for Union forces to capture intact. Morris Island came under complete Union control following the evacuation, providing a strategic position for operations against Charleston Harbor.

The assault on Fort Wagner marked a transformative moment in the Civil War, reshaping both military strategies and social perspectives. Its impact extended far beyond the immediate tactical outcomes, influencing the broader trajectory of the conflict.

The Battle of Fort Wagner revolutionized Union siege tactics against Confederate coastal fortifications. Union commanders adopted methodical approaches to fortress reduction, employing extensive trenching operations combined with sustained artillery bombardment. This tactical shift resulted in:

• Implementation of parallel trench systems for gradual fortress approach
• Integration of naval gunfire support with land-based artillery
• Development of counter-battery fire techniques against fortified positions
• Enhanced coordination between infantry assaults and artillery preparations

Military Impact Statistics	Numbers
Days of Siege Operations	60
Daily Artillery Rounds	1,000
Siege Guns Deployed	36
Artillery Pieces Captured	18

• Increased recruitment of African American soldiers, with 180,000 serving by war's end
• Enhanced Northern support for African American military integration
• Widespread coverage in Northern newspapers highlighting Black valor
• Implementation of equal pay legislation for African American troops in 1864

Social Impact Metrics	Numbers
54th Massachusetts Casualties	272
Black Regiments Formed Post-Wagner	166
Northern Newspaper Articles (1863)	85+
Pay Equity Achievement	1864

• The assault on Fort Wagner took place on July 18, 1863, when Union forces launched a major attack against this Confederate stronghold near Charleston, South Carolina
• Fort Wagner was a strategically vital fortification featuring 14 heavy artillery pieces, 30-foot-high walls, and a complex defense system that protected Charleston Harbor
• Two major assaults occurred - the first on July 11, 1863 (resulting in 339 Union casualties), and the second on July 18, 1863 (causing 1,515 Union casualties)
• The 54th Massachusetts Infantry, an all-black regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, spearheaded the famous second assault, demonstrating exceptional valor despite suffering heavy losses
• Following the failed direct assaults, Union forces initiated a 60-day siege with sustained artillery bombardment of 1,000 rounds daily
• The Confederates ultimately evacuated Fort Wagner on September 7, 1863, due to deteriorating conditions and constant Union bombardment

The assault on Fort Wagner stands as a defining moment in American military history. While the initial attacks failed to capture the fort the battle demonstrated the remarkable courage of the 54th Massachusetts and forever changed perceptions of African American soldiers. The subsequent 60-day siege ultimately proved successful forcing Confederate forces to abandon the strategic stronghold.

The battle's impact extended far beyond its military significance transforming both Union warfare tactics and social progress. Today Fort Wagner's legacy lives on as a powerful symbol of sacrifice valor and the ongoing struggle for equality in American society. Its story continues to inspire and educate new generations about this pivotal chapter in the Civil War.