“Sullen Roar of the Deep-Mouthed Cannon” at Fort Pulaski

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]Hey all, Ron here from Military Images Magazine with a new episode of Life on the Civil War research trail.

[00:00:08]Now, you students of the Civil War are familiar with the siege of Fort Pulaski in Georgia that wrapped up on April 10th to 11th, 1862 after a 30-hour bombardment by Union forces that ended a 112-day siege.

[00:00:30]The Union forces positioned on nearby Tybee Island brought up rifled guns that fundamentally changed the nature of warfare, proving that masonry forts were well, becoming obsolete much in the same way as iron and wood fighting ships had done just a month earlier at Hampton Roads up in Virginia.

[00:00:55]Fort Pulaski is also remembered for the way in which Union artillery strategically targeted a section of the masonry walls, knocking them down and opening up a line of fire into the magazine.

[00:01:10]The surrender of the garrison pretty much closed Savannah as a Confederate port and it tightened the Union blockade along the Atlantic coast just a little bit more.

[00:01:23]One of the Union soldiers who witnessed the bombardment is pictured here.

[00:01:29]22-year-old Quartermaster Sergeant Aaron Hunt Ingraham of the 48th New York Infantry.

[00:01:36]He's the eldest of four children, grew up on the family farm in Amenia, New York.

[00:01:41]Tough childhood, not a lot of money.

[00:01:44]He worked as much as he could as a young man to earn money for the family teaching school in the winter times, other jobs, anything he he do.

[00:01:56]And then the war came.

[00:01:58]In 1861 in August, he enlisted as a corporal in the 48th and began a path to being a soldier and steadily rising in rank.

[00:02:10]I want to share a letter he wrote about Fort Pulaski.

[00:02:14]You'll find out he's a little skeptical about it.

[00:02:17]It's a two-day letter he's written written over the 10th and the 11th of April, the time of the bombardment.

[00:02:23]It's dateline at Quartermaster's office, Camp Perry, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, April 10th, 1862, 8:00 p.m.

[00:02:34]Dear sister, the long-wished and looked-for time has arrived and Fort Pulaski is being bombarded.

[00:02:43]I have no doubt told you before that we were encamped in plain sight of the fort and Tybee Island, where most of our batteries are situated.

[00:02:53]The fort is about 3 and 1/2 miles distant, nothing intervening but swamp and water, and as we are on rather high ground, we have the finest view imaginable for the distance.

[00:03:06]The first shot was fired from our batteries at 8:00 this morning, commencing with those most distant. It was returned from the fort in about a half an hour. I saw the first shot from her.

[00:03:19]The firing has been kept up some of the time with great animation ever since dark.

[00:03:25]For an hour past, have heard no guns, which surprises me much.

[00:03:30]It can't be possible our forces are going to give them a night's rest. If so, we might as well quit at once.

[00:03:38]We can never sub- subdue them in that way, and to worry and keep them from sleeping would be half the battle.

[00:03:45]You may be sure it's a beautiful and exciting place to stand where we do, in full view, still entirely out of danger from that source, and see the columns of smoke rise from the guns on the beach.

[00:04:01]In the thicket, and from the walls of the fort, watch the shell as it bursts, making a little wreath of blue, which gradually grows larger and is lost in the clouds, or the solid shot, which goes skipping across the water, throwing the spray apparently hundreds of feet.

[00:04:22]And when all is passed, listen to the sullen roar of the deep-mouthed cannon, which, when several are discharged together, fairly shake the ground under us.

[00:04:36]But I expected to see the grandest sight tonight, when you could probably trace the shells through their entire course.

[00:04:44]And now that they have ceased firing, I'm disgusted with the whole proceeding.

[00:04:49]I don't believe they intend to take the fort.

[00:04:52]If they do, they have a poor way of showing it.

[00:04:55]If I had command, would just make out to keep a few shots rolling around those successions all the time.

[00:05:03]But now, they can eat their suppers, smoke their pipes, and perhaps sleep all night. Though I can't think our men will be quite as foolish as to let them do that.

[00:05:15]And I don't know how many batteries we have counted, seven columns of smoke at one time, and understand we have a few more that have not opened.

[00:05:24]The rebel flag, which crowned a very tall pole, was hit, or else they were afraid it might be, as about noon it was hauled down and placed on a short, stout standard.

[00:05:37]I suppose our force will open again tomorrow, but I think I shall have General Burnham superseded and give the position to a man who won't stop to sleep.

[00:05:47]It is a noticeable fact, however, that a year ago today after tomorrow, Fort Sumter was bombarded by the man, a General Beauregard, under whose engineering it was built. So, it is here. General Ben Hurman it is said built for Pulaski, and I hope he will succeed as well as Beauregard did.

[00:06:08]Though he could have sailed the rear, while we only reached the front and flank.

[00:06:13]I think I will get the countersign and go up to headquarters, about a quarter of a mile, where we have to go to see distinctly and start then, if possible, get a good night.

[00:06:26]Letter continues, Friday, the 11th, 5:00 p.m.

[00:06:32]Ingraham writes, Fort surrendered at 2:00 this afternoon.

[00:06:36]Our guns opened last night about 12:00 and kept up a steady fire until she struck her flag.

[00:06:43]I had gone to bed last night, so did not see anything of what was been seen by daylight was splendid, and history will notice the fact of it's being a great thing, a big thing.

[00:06:55]I don't know how many were killed or wounded, but think not many on our side.

[00:07:01]I think we shall make a move now.

[00:07:03]Can't say when to but mistrust towards Charleston.

[00:07:07]Suppose everyone thinks we're going to Savannah.

[00:07:09]I did till this afternoon, but have heard something which has changed my mind. However, direct to Port Royal till you hear again.

[00:07:19]By the way, the mail arrived Tuesday, and I did not have a letter.

[00:07:24]Can you account for that?

[00:07:26]I was perfectly disgusted.

[00:07:28]I had a notion to send the boat tie back again, but in fact, it is strange, you were so prompt to write.

[00:07:35]I can't see to it, however. I hope to have a dozen soon. I think it doubtful if my box reached me as there was trouble between the express and the government.

[00:07:46]I can write nothing more now as I want to get to this in time for the boat tomorrow as I'm sure it soon will start.

[00:07:54]Love to all. I hope you're well.

[00:07:57]Excuse the mistakes.

[00:07:59]Affectionately, Aaron.

[00:08:03]Now, here's his letter about witnessing Fort Pulaski the blue rings of smoke coming off the shells as they hit the masonry fort really creates a visual powerful visual.

[00:08:19]Now, you may wonder what happened Ingraham.

[00:08:23]He was a quartermaster sergeant when he wrote that letter.

[00:08:26]He eventually became a first lieutenant and acting regimental quartermaster of the 48th.

[00:08:33]He spent many months in administrative duties before finally earning his captain's bars and being given active field command. It was a role that he was eager to have.

[00:08:47]On June 1st, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Ingraham led his company into combat for the first time.

[00:08:56]Advancing with his regiment and capturing enemy rifle pits, he was shot dead in the moment of success.

[00:09:05]His career as a combat officer lasting no more than just a few minutes.

[00:09:12]So, thanks for listening.

[00:09:13]We'll see you on the next episode of Life on the Civil War Research Trail.