Civil War Confederate Army Officer. Before the conflict began in 1861, he served the citizens of South Carolina as a State Senator and was the executive of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. As stated by him in a March 1861 letter, he was the “first man who volunteered a company of enlisted men” when war was inevitable. His initial service for the Confederacy began as a lieutenant in the First South Carolina Artillery and would be promoted through the ranks until his March 25, 1862 promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Along with this promotion came the responsibilities of Inspector of Artillery. In the summer of 1862, he received orders to construct a battery on Morris Island, a barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina. He remained the officer in charge of the construction of this battery until his tragic death on July 17, 1862 at Fort Moultrie on nearby Sullivan’s Island. He was performing his duties when an explosion occurred during an inspection of one that garrison guns. With his death, Confederate authorities proclaimed the Morris Island Battery should be renamed “Battery Wagner” in honor of him. Upon completion and with the ever steady stranglehold of the approaching federal army, Battery Wagner became a strategic strength for the Confederates in their defense of Charleston. The narrow beach approach to this battery and its ramparts became the embodiment of valor and courage as countless Union soldiers attempted to capture it. All challenges to take it were unsuccessful due to the likewise courage and valor of the Confederate defenders.
Civil War Confederate Army Officer. Before the conflict began in 1861, he served the citizens of South Carolina as a State Senator and was the executive of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. As stated by him in a March 1861 letter, he was the “first man who volunteered a company of enlisted men” when war was inevitable. His initial service for the Confederacy began as a lieutenant in the First South Carolina Artillery and would be promoted through the ranks until his March 25, 1862 promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Along with this promotion came the responsibilities of Inspector of Artillery. In the summer of 1862, he received orders to construct a battery on Morris Island, a barrier island near Charleston, South Carolina. He remained the officer in charge of the construction of this battery until his tragic death on July 17, 1862 at Fort Moultrie on nearby Sullivan’s Island. He was performing his duties when an explosion occurred during an inspection of one that garrison guns. With his death, Confederate authorities proclaimed the Morris Island Battery should be renamed “Battery Wagner” in honor of him. Upon completion and with the ever steady stranglehold of the approaching federal army, Battery Wagner became a strategic strength for the Confederates in their defense of Charleston. The narrow beach approach to this battery and its ramparts became the embodiment of valor and courage as countless Union soldiers attempted to capture it. All challenges to take it were unsuccessful due to the likewise courage and valor of the Confederate defenders.
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