They fired slowly and with such accuracy that the infantry stationed outside of the works hastily fled, though the gunners bravely remained at their posts.
Foote opened fire when not quite a mile from the fort.

His instructions were to fire slowly and with care, the result of which was that guns were continually dismounted and the earth and sandbags sent flying in every direction.

It was while the attack was being pressed in this vigorous fashion that a shell pierced the boiler of the _Essex_, commanded by Lieutenant Porter, and caused so many deaths, as has been related in a preceding chapter.
This appalling accident was a serious loss to Captain Foote, for Porter was doing inestimable service when thus driven out of action, but the daring commander pressed forward in the face of the murderous fire, encouraged by the visible results of his shots, which were playing frightful havoc against the defences of the fort.

Tilghman, the Confederate commander, displayed great bravery, fighting until every one of his guns was dismounted.

Then, finding himself powerless to offer further resistance, he hauled down his flag.