hes; the unceasing roar of the explosions; the demoniac
shriek of the shells in the air, followed by their explosion with a
lightning flash, and crash like thunder; the volumes of gray smoke
rising upon the dark air,--make up a wonderful and memorable sight.

In the morning the bombardment was recommenced, and the work of
landing troops went on. Eight gunboats were sent to tear away the
obstructions in the channel; and there beneath the guns of the enemy's
fleet, and the frowning cannon of the forts, the sailors worked with
axe and ketch until the barricade was broken, and the eight ships
passed to the sound above the forts. In the mean time, the troops on
the island began the march against the forts. There were few paths,
and they groped their way through woods and undergrowth, wading
through morasses, and tearing their way through tangled thickets to
get at the enemy's front. The advance was slow, but steady, until the
open field before the forts was reached; then a change was ordered,
led by the famous Hawkins Zouaves, who rushed madly upon the fort,
shouting their war cry of _Zou, zou, zou!_ Like a resistless flood the
attackers poured over the earthworks, and the frightened defenders
fled. Before five o'clock the entire island was in the hands of the
troops, and the fleet had passed the barricade. During the bombardment
the vessels sustained severe injuries. An act of heroism which made
the hero celebrated was that of John Davis, gunner's mate on board the
"Valley City." A shell entered the magazine of that ship, and
exploded, setting the woodwork on fire. An open barrel of gunpowder
stood in the midst of the flames, with sparks dropping about it. At
any moment an explosion might occur which would shatter the vessel to
fragments. Men shrank back, expecting every moment to be their
last. With wonderful presence of mind Davis threw himself across the
open end of the barrel, and with his body covered the dangerous
explosive until the fire was put out.

[Illustration: Contrabands escaping to Fleet.]

As soon as the stars and stripes were hoisted on the flagstaffs of the
forts, the Confederate fleet, which had been maintaining a desultory
fire, fled up the sound, after setting fire to one schooner which had
become hopelessly crippled in the battle. She blazed away far on into
the night, and finally, when the flames reached her magazine, blew up
with a tremendous report, seeming like a final involuntary salute paid
by