A map depicts the location of Fort Wagner, a heavily fortified Confederate encampment that—despite several bloody attempts—Union troops were never able to capture.
When Confederate forces evacuated in September 1863, Union troops quickly built dozens of barracks, gun emplacements, supply depots, and a wharf. By 1864, some 10,000 troops were stationed on the island
(Right) After Confederate forces abandoned Fort Wagner; (Top left) Union troops constructed temporary housing. (Bottom left) The Beacon House was nearly destroyed during the Battle of Fort Wagner.
Life on the island for both Union and Confederate soldiers became one of unrelenting torment. Wrote John Harleston, “Dead bodies were all around. The water smelt and tasted of them.”
Photographs by Jon Puckett; courtesy of Douglas W. Bostick; courtesy of Library of Congress; Andy Lassiter; Richard L. Beck; from the Colonel Peter C. Hains collection; from the Faith Ferguson collection; from the Katherine Davis Craig collection, courtesy of Douglas W. Bostick; from the Mrs. Roulain Deveaux collection, courtesy of Douglas W. Bostick; Richard L. Beck; (Lighthouse rendering & Sullivan’s Island Lightouuse) courtesy of Douglas W. Bostick; courtesy of Taylor Bros. Marine Construction, Inc.; Photograph from the Jim Booth collection; from the Katherine Davis Craig collection courtesy of Douglas W. Bostick
