Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-02-03
The Capture OF Fort Harrison.


A British field officer of ability and expert
ence, who has recently visited the Army of the
Potomac, has written letter to the London
Star. which is copied by the Army and Nary
journal, and in which we find the following
passage:
Gen. Butler, was in New York, and so hav-
ing partaken of the hospitality of his Adiutant
General, rode of about six miles further to
the nearest point TO Richmond in possession of
the Federal Army. This place | understood TO
be called Fort Harrison 1t is about six miles
and quarter from Richmond, strong earth
en- fort, and so placed that the taking of il is
quite unaccountable. Ii is on a hill with nat
ural glacis Of six or seven hundred yards, and
which good gunners should sweep against all
comers-taking into account an extensive abat-
lis, which is constructed by merely telling the
trees and pointing them outwards. 1t should
have been tosome, dangerous work to have
traversed that long slope. However, there is
the fort in the hands OF the Federas, he it at
tributable TO pluck, luck, surprise, ireachery,
scare, or whatever other explanation.
The history of the capture of Fort Harrison
has not yet been written, and perhaps never
will be. But it was one of the most brilliant
achievements of the War. The strength of the
position is indicated by this English officer, and
it is only necessary TO add that the armament
of the fort was correspondingly strong, consist
ing of ga and 100 Founders, and an S-inch col
umbiad. 1t was piuck and not luck or treach-
cry which gave US this formidable work. 1t
will be remembered that Fort Harrison was
the main fortifcaton and key of the line OF
works on Chapin's Farm. To the carrying OF
this line on the 30th os September last the
EiUhtprnth Cnrns uns eiuunb md tho taek of
storming the Fort was given to Gen. STAN
NARD, Of Vermont. The assault elsewhere was
made in line of battle. For the storming OF
the Fort, however, Gen. Stannard, believing
that only by the momentum of a column could
it be carried formed his division, 5000 strong,
in "column by DIVISION" which for the benefit
OF our unmilitary readers, we may remark,
would make a long column with narrow front.
He had esked for brigade to cover the right
flank OF his column, but not receiving it, was
obliged to detach brigade from his column
for that purpose. So formed he carried his
men across an open space of 1900 yards, un.
der fire all the way, ald having to order de.
tour in order TO cad a practicable opening in
the abattis across the glacis through deer
ditch; up the steep parapets $50 steep that the
men could barely crawl up on all fours,) and
into the fort. Gen. Stannard rode at the side
OF the column, ana IOSt 1Our alQS SnOt down Dl
his side, the last of whom fell on the edge o.
the ditch. About hdlr of the division reached
the fort, the balance being mainly killed and
wounded.
The capture of the Fort made necessary the
abandonment of the rest of their line, by the
rebels, and it was only, as we understand it
after the success of Slannard's division, thai
the other divisions succeeded in efecting lodg
ment within the entertainments they were tC
carry. The repulse of the enemy in his etfor
to retake the Fort next day, was equally bril-
liant. The fort, it should be understood, wal
open 10 the rear and so afforded no protection
against an assault from that direction. From
want Of time and entrenching tools, not much
breastworks, and the assault was repulsed b'
Stannard's men, standing without cover or pro
lection, in the open ground in tho of the
work, and without the aid of artillery. The
attack was made under General Lees eye, il
three lines of battle, was twice repeated atte
the first repuse, and was pressed each time b,
the rebel commander, with desperate energy
Their dead lay thickly within 80 yards of Stan
nard's lines but beyond that point, at whicl
his command opened fire, they made no pro
gress. To their repulse the hot and incessau
fire of a regiment which had been armed but
day or two before with Spencer rifles, contribu
ted greatly. 1t was alter the final and disor
derly retreat of the enemy, that Gen. StannarC
standing on the parapet of Fort'llarrison, from
which. he had directed this most successful de
fence, was struck by sharpshooter's bal
which shattered his good right arm.-Fre
Press