Letter, 1863 August 16, Suess to Brooks on methods of sapping

TitleLetter, 1863 August 16, Suess to Brooks on methods of sapping
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CreatorSuess

CollectionsThomas Benton Brooks Papers

Dates

Descriptive InformationLetter to Brooks from Suess regarding the commencement of sapping operations. Suess writes that Capt. Walker has serious misgivings about the effectiveness of the fall sap, and that Capt. Walker proposes a different method of sapping, which was first used by the Turks in the 17th century.

Transcription[Letter] Camp N. Y. [New York] Vol. [Volunteer] Engineers; Morris Island S. C. [South Carolina] August 16/63; Capt. [Captain] T. B. Brooks, Vol. [Volunteer] Engrs. [Engineers]; Asst. [Assistant] Engineer; Sir: In consequence of the verbal instruction given by you to Capt. Walker and myself to the effect that the necessary preparations for starting sapping operations should be forthwith commenced, a party of Engineers with a large detail of Infantry under the charge of Ltns. Mehles and Harrold, of the Vol. Engrs., has been sent to Folly Island for the purpose of making gabions etc. Capt. Walker and myself meanwhile proposed to organize brigades of sappers, to give them some preliminary instructions in the school of the sap. It now appears that Capt. Walker has serious misgivings about the effectiveness of the fall sap, and is disinclined to adopt this method of advancing. He is in favor of cutting a simple [illegible], piling up a mound of earth in front of the working party, which he intends to move forward gradually, thus using it as a shield against the enemy's projectiles. He has made a preliminary trial on a somewhat small scale, and is apparently satisfied of the superiority of his method. I for my part, cannot say that I see any reason to adopt this method, but of course it depends upon your decision, which way of proceeding should be adopted. I only wish to share a few points which present themselves to me in relation to this matter. The mode of sapping proposed by Capt. Walker is the original method, and was first practised by the Turks, during

LocationsMorris Island, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States(32.71573,-79.89037)

TopicsSouth Carolina--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Artillery operations
Fort Sumter National Monument (Agency : U.S.)

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RightsU.S. Government Work Learn More