ghtful inaction to which they had been
subjected, poured from the ramparts and embrasures sheets of
flame and a tempest of lead and iron, yet their intrepid
assailants rushed on like the waves of the sea by whose
shore they fought. They fell by hundreds, but they pushed
on, reeling under the frightful blasts that almost blew them
to pieces, some up to the Confederate bayonets. The
southeast bastion was weakly defended, and into it a
considerable body of the enemy made their way but they were
caught in a trap, for they could not leave it. The fight
continued; but it was impossible to stem the torrent of
deadly missiles which poured out from the fort, the reflux
of that terrible tide which had poured in all day, and the
Federals retreated, leaving near a thousand dead around the
fort.

"There was no cessation of the Confederate fire. Sumter and
Gregg threw their shells along with those of Wagner upon the
retiring foe; nor was the conflict over in the fort itself.
The party which had gained access by the salient next the
sea could not escape. It was certain death to attempt to
pass the line of concentrated fire which swept the faces of
the work, and they did not attempt it; but they would not
surrender, and in desperation kept up a constant fire upon
the main body of the fort. The Confederates called for
volunteers to dislodge them--a summons which was promptly
responded to by Major McDonald, of the Fifty-first North
Carolina, and by Captain Rion, of the Charleston Battalion,
with the requisite number of men. Rion's company was
selected, and the gallant Irishman, at the head of his
company, dashed at the reckless and insane men, who seemed
to insist upon immolation. The tables were now singularly
turned; the assailants had become the assailed and they held
a fort within the fort, and were protected by the traverses
and gun chambers, behind which they fought. Rion rushed at
them, but he fell, shot outright, with several of his men,
and the rest recoiled. At this time General Hagood reported
to General Taliaferro with Colonel Harrison's splendid
regiment, the Thirty-second Georgia, sent over by Beauregard
to his assistance as soon as a landing could be effected at
Cummings' Point. These troops were ordered to move along on
t