Between ten and eleven o'clock the fire opened from the fleet, and we opened along the whole line from infantry and field-guns.

Our men soon worked in close enough to keep down the fire of the enemy to a very marked degree.
After reporting to General Sherman, and while explaining the position of the fleet, the smoke-stacks and flags appeared above the fort.

What firing was going on in our immediate front ceased.
A good many rebels were in plain sight, running away from the fort and scattering.

While we were still surprised, the cry was raised that a white flag was hung out.

I did not see it, but in a few minutes saw others along the line, and just as the general started for the fort I saw the flag not far from the white house, near the parapet.