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April 18, 1861 - Captain Thomas Wagner to Captain W.R. Calhoun

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Report of Lieutenant Thomas M. Wagner, commanding channel battery

FORT MOULTRIE,
April 18, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the signal for the attack on Fort Sumter on the morning of the 12th instant, at 4 1/2 o'clock, the company went to battery, every man present. Thirteen guns ont eh channel battery were manned; a detachment of six men were placed int he magazine, under Mr. Scanlon, and the hot-shot furnace put under Corporal Marshall, with four men. Eight detachments relieved Company B from Sumter battery from 9 o'clock to 11 and from 1 to 3 on Friday, and from 12 to the end of the firing on Saturday. Detachments from Company A were engaged during both days in supplying the hot shot for the guns. The officers were at Sumter battery during the whole engagement.

The conduct of both men and officers under me deserves the highest commendation. All behaved so well that it would be invidious to mention names. I beg to ask that the thanks of the officers of this command may be tendered to Mr. F. Blake, who volunteered to assist the officers in the arduous duties devolving upon them on account of the smallness of their numbers. The zeal, ability, and gallantry displayed by him deserve the highest commendation.

The men who were at the battery during the night of the 12th were exposed to a violent storm, but submitted with cheerfulness to all their hardships. During the whole engagement the channel battery was manned, ready for the fleet.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

THOMAS M. WAGNER,
First Lieutenant Company A, Bat. Art., S.C.A.

W.R. CALHOUN,
Captain Company A, Bat. Art., S.C.A.

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