On Morris Island, hurricanes have leveled the site of the sand fort assaulted by the 54th Massachusetts on July 18, 1863, but bones of the brave men who fought on both sides that day still rest in the sand hills of the island where they were buried.  The beach is nearly identical in appearance to what the men of the 54th would have seen that day and conditions on the Island are identical.  
Keepers of the Morris Island lighthouse reburied bones found on the eroding barrier island beach in the 1930's.  Local relic hunters found such bones following Hurricane Hugo, showing the marks of bone saws from the hospitals.  Many soldiers were buried on the now eroded beach, but others were buried in the dunes of the Island.  One man died for every yard of the Island taken by the Federal army in 1863.  The Star of the West Battery was also located along this section of beach, from which Citadel Cadets fired and what some historians consider to be the first shots of the war against a Federal Supply Ship in January 1861.

Memorial Service of the
Assault on Battery Wagner
July 18
3:35 p.m.
Morris Island, SC

Boat Departs the Charleston Maritime Center: 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC at 3 p.m.
Price: $20
Bring lawn chairs
 
Transportation
Transportation by boat is provided. Limited seats available. Please e-mail or phone Joseph McGill for more information and reservations.

Contact
Joseph_mcgill@nthp.org
mlemon2@aol.com
Phone: 843-408-7727