Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[40] which must follow the opening of our batteries, we. demand the unconditional surrender of Fort Morgan and its dependencies.

We are very respectfully, your obedient servants,

D. G. Farragut, Rear Admiral. Gordon Granger, Major-General.

To which my reply said:

Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, Gordon Granger, Major-General:

Sirs — I am prepared to sacrifice life, and will only surrender when I have no means of defence. I do not understand that while being communicated with under flag of truce, the “Tennessee” should be towed within range of my guns.

Respectfully, &c.,

R. L. Page, Brigadier-General C. S. A.

From this time to the 15th, day and night, we were engaged by the fleet, sometimes in a brisk fight of several hours duration, at other in a desultory firing — without any very effective damage being done to our fort, save a demonstration of the fact that our brick walls were easily penetrable to the heavy missiles of the enemy, and that a systematic, concentrated fire would soon breach them.

On the 15th, three of the 15-inch shells striking the right-fllank face of Bastion No. 4 breached the wall, and disabled the howitzers therein.

During this time a pretty continuous fire was kept up on the fort from the Parrott guns in several batteries erected by the enemy; and in the intervals of serving the guns my men were engaged in the work before mentioned, for their protection, in the anticipation of a vigorous bombardment.

The sharpshooters in our front had become very numerous and active, and with these encircling us on the land, and the fire delivered from the fleet on the flanks, our guns had to be served with much care and under great difficulty.

The land forces of the enemy completed their first approach (see accompanying sketch) on the 9th and 10th across the peninsula; the second through the 11th and 12th; the third, a bayou, near and parallel to gulf shore, 13th and 14th; their first parallel 500 and 700 yards distant, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th; approaches on 20th and 21st to within 200 yards of our glacis.

Such guns as I could use on this force I annoyed them with, especially at night, and to the extent possible retarded their work;