General Hunter returned to Hilton Head for a short visit. In his absence, in an evil hour General Benham took it into his head that he might take the Secessionville fort. Its guns were shelling our pickets, and even the commanding general himself, when he ventured within range. They could almost reach Wright’s camp. He resolved upon this attempt as precipitantly, and as regardless of the difficulties, as was his wont. On the evening of the 15th be summoned his subordinate commanders on board his headquarters steamer. There assembled Generals Stevens, Wright, and Williams. Captain Percival Drayton, commanding the naval force, was also present. To them Benham announced his decision: General Stevens to assault the fort before daylight with his division, Wright and Williams to support, the navy to coöperate. This announcement, coming at nine o’clock at night, for such an attack before daylight the next morning, without any previous notice or chance for preparation, must have taken them aback.
General Wright couched an emphatic protest in the diplomatic form of questions to General Stevens:—
“Have you impaired the strength of the enemy’s works at Secessionville by the firing of your battery?”
“Not in the least,” replied General Stevens; “I have driven the enemy from his guns by my fire, and I can do it again, but as soon as the fire ceases he returns. I have not dismounted a gun, and we shall find him in the morning as strong as ever.”
“Do you know of any instance where volunteer troops have successfully stormed works as strong as those which defend the approach to Secessionville?”
“I know of no such instance.”
“Have you any reason to believe that the result in the present case will be different in its character from what it has invariably been heretofore?”
“I have no reason to expect a different result. It is simply a bare possibility to take the work.”
“There, general,” said General Wright, turning to Benham, “you have my opinion.”
In this General Williams concurred.