Morris Island was the key to taking Fort Sumter in April of 1861. And Morris Island was the key to the whole Federal campaign to retake Fort Sumter and capture the city of Charleston. It was on Morris Island that the 54th Massachusetts made its immortal charge against Battery Wagner. It was from Morris Island that the Union was able to launch its devastating attacks on Charleston. Now we have the chance to save this important piece of American history. Help us save Morris Island.

Resources and History
Morris Island Organizations

• National Park Service: Fort Sumter
• South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust
• Coastal Conservation League
• The Trust for Public Land:
  Historic Morris Island Preserve

History Resources for the Battle of Morris Island / Fort Wagner

• General Taliaferro’s Report on the Battle
  of Battery Wagner
• The Swamp Angel
• Wikipedia: 54th Massachusetts Regiment
• African American Civil War Memorial Museum
• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
  Company B Reenactors
• Sgt. William Carney (54th Mass):
  Letter Describing Heroics
• Lt. Stephen Swails get overdue honors
  (54th Mass)
• Harper’s Weekly Coverage:
  The Attack on Fort Wagner
• 67th Ohio’s Assault on Fort Wagner
• The Civil War Artillery Encyclopedia
• Goofs for “Glory”

 

Morris island / Fort Wagner:
Battle At a glance

Other Names:
Second Assault, Morris Island

Campaign:
Operations against Defenses of Charleston (1863)

Description of Battle:
Read a brief description of the battle

Location:
City of Charleston, South Carolina
Google Map of Charleston

Date(s): July 18-September 7, 1863

Principal Commanders:
Maj. Gen. Quincy Gillmore [US];
Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard [CS]

Forces Engaged:
6,800 total (US 5,000; CS 1,800)

Estimated Casualties:
1,689 total (US 1,515; CS 174)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Acres Previously Preserved by CWPT: 0

Source: CWSAC, CWPT

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Visit Charleston:

Fort Sumter National Monument

Warren G Lasch Conservation Center (see the Hunley)

CWPT's Resources
on Morris Island

• Historical Slide Show of Morris Island
• CWPT Photos of Morris Island
• Modern and Historical maps
  of Morris Island/Fort Wagner
• Test your knowledge and learn some history: The Morris Island Quiz
• History feature on Fort Wagner and the 54th Mass Infantry By Brian Pohanka
• Recommended Books and Videos
• Read President Lighthizer's letter about Morris Island