Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-07
INCIDENTS OF THE LATE WAR.
A Virginia Regiment at Fort Donaldson
CAPTAIN Harrison, the Flag, and Generals

A Virginia Regiment at Fort Donaldson
Cap,nIn Harrison, the Flag, and Generals
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dlspatch.l
CHASE CrrY, Va. June 5.--People appear
never to weary in reading incidents OF the
late war. / recall some never pupnsneu
and may be interesting TO some OF your
II Is we'll known that the battle Of Fort
Donaldson continued four days in Fopru-
On the morning of the second day OF
tbe fipht nv regiment (the Fisty-sixth
Virginia of Floyd's brigade( was in the
trenches awaiting an attack expected as
soon as the light of day broke upon US.
Captain Dabney Carr Harrison, Presby-
terrain minister, commanded company
from Henrico county, va, In that regi-
ment
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
He called his company TO attention just
az the first streak of morn cleaned upon
us and repeated in calm and impressiv
manner The 27th Psalm, commencing /;
"The Lord is my light and nv salvation:
whom sball / fear: the Lord is the strength
of nv life: of whom shall be afraid?
when the wicked, even mine enemies
and nv foes, come upon me to eat up my
flesh they stumbled and fell.
"Though host should encamp against
me. my heart shall not fear; though war
should rise against me, in this will be
confident;" and continued to the end oil
the chapter.
All the men around him listened with
heads uncovered and bowed on that solemn
and still. cold winter morning. Some re-
peated after him.
STRANGE DESTINATION.
But soon there was strange dispense
ton of the Almighty. In few hours Cap
tam Harrison was mortally wounded while
CALAMITY leading charge on the Federal
lines. Strange to say only one other man
OF his company was killed. Captain Har-
rison was a true type of Christian SOL
der. told DR.. Hoge of this incident in
his friends life many years ago, and my
| impression is some mention was made OF
| it in q sketch of his life.
sALUTED v1RGINIA's FLAG.
Soon after Captain Harrison had finished
the Psalm we saw coming along the lines
all the generals and their aids. Our regi-
| ment had no Confederate colors, but only
| the standard of Virginia emblazoned on
| its folds, " Virginia. Sic Ssnaper. Iyrdnnis. ="
General John b. Floyd passed US looking
sternlv to the front. Generals Buckner
| and Bushron johnson simply touched
| their CAPS to our flag. Then came General
Gideon ]. Pillow, superbly mounted and
splendidly dressed.
GENERAL Pillows TRIBUTE.
He refined in his horse and facing our
| regiment said so that al could hear, point
| ing to our glorious banner: II trust to
old Virginia my safety and my honor"
| The effect was electrical and inspired the
Virginans with renewed hopes and
courage.
BUCKEEB BELoVED.
But all the officers and men centred
| their confidence in Buckner. He had
drilled our brigade the Sunday evening be.
| fore at Russsllville, KY, end all knew him.
He looked every inch a typical military
man and leader. The result showed their
confidence was not misplaced. Floyd and
Pillow turned over the command to Buck:
ner and escaped in safety. Buckner stood
| by his men and surrendered with them.
PREDICTION VERIFIED.
On the evening of the first day after
| fighting commenced the Confederates took
| as prisoner a captain of an Indiana com
| pany. He was brought to my camp under
| guard, and while sitting before the camp.
| fire at night L asked him who commanded
| the Federal army. He replied, General
| Z. S. Grant, When asked where he came
| from, as we had never heard Of him before
| he said: You will know him well enough
| before Saturday night, and his initials are
| omlnous. meaning Unconditional Surren:
| der Grant, His predictions were verified
much to our astonishment. L. u. j.