Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-31
A DESPERATE DASH.
CAPTURE AND REOCCUPkTlON Of
THE HOWLETT HOUSE IN 1864.
Tho Gallant Achievement of Colonel Morrl-
son and Captain Hudgin and Their
Commands Without Any Orders.
cwritten for the Dlspatch)

/
On the 10th day OF June 1894 when
| Grants flank movement across the James
river threatened Petersburg and IL was
found necessary 20 send forces 10 de-
fend that city, which WAS in imminent
peril from an attack on the east. Confel-
crate troops were Withdrawn from Gene
raj Buffers front. on the Bermuda Hun
dreds line and hurried across the Appo-
mattox TO foil the Federal forces. The
exigencies Of the occasion were 50 urgent
and unexpected that no troops could BE
mustered Immediately 20 replace those
sent from the north OF the AppomattoX
river TO defend Petersburg, and for
short time the entire line OF defence
reaching from Howetts house. on the
James river, TO the Appropriateness left
exposed and defenceless. To fiji this gap
/ and reoccupy the deserted works, os
above described, Pickett's Division. in
| General Il. II. Anderson's Corps, was has
tened TO the south side Of James river,
and advanced down the turnpike towards
Chester station and Petersburg with
orders to push back the enemy when
| found so as to occupy and hold the line
IN Buffers front, II possible. without
! bringing on an engagement
! When Corse's Brigade OF Pickctts d.
vision. had reached point on the pike
/ between Chester station and Bermuda
/ Hundreds, and nearly opposite to the
! Hewlett House. on James river, a halt
/ was made, and an order given for a Skin
mish line TO be thrown out on the east OF
! the pike and TO advance almost at right
angles with il towards >ne river. 1he
Fifteenth Virginia Regiment commanded
by Colonel f.. Nj. Morrison, was detailed
for that service, but his regiment being
a small one. at that time depleted from
long and active service, Company i, Of
the Thlrtieth Virginia Infantry. COM
manded by Captain j. NJ. Hudgin Sharp
shooters) was ordered to report 10 Colo
mel Morrison, who, though not actually
present when the order was given 10 his
regiment, rode up in time TO assume COM
mand as II, with Company + on the left
was being deployed preparatory TO an
advance. The instructions given to Colo
mel Morrison were to move forward and
locate the enemy, who were reported as
coming in heavy forces from the Ber-
muda Hundreds line OF Notifications to-
wards the Richmond and Petersburg pike
and railroad.
PROMPT AND CAUTIOUS.
The orders given to Colonel Morrison
and Captain Hudgin were TO move eau
tiously but promptly In the direction OF
/ the enemy. Yeering towards the river
! flank. 50 as TO prevent a surprise in
| that direction, and when the enemy were
found TO halt and report back TO Gene
| raj Corse without engaging them. IL II
could DO avoided.
This precaution was thought necessary
no doubt because the enemy We're known
10 be in heavy force at the Buruuda Hun
dreds, and severe battle at that time
and place might seriously interfere with
: the movements OF Confederate troops
that were hurrying TO the defence OF
| Petersburg along the pike and railroad.
! The space between the pike and James
river over which Morrison's men had
| 10 advance was broken surface and
| heavily wooded most OF the way.
| To prevent surprise and disaster, there
fore, II was thought best 10 move as
| quickly as possible Enough slow at
besD, and at the same time to - very
cautious and guarded. To locate the enc
my, but not 10 attack them, was the
/ object of this movement. and as soon as
their position was definitely ascertained
| Colonel Morrison was To report back TO
/ General Corse in tho rear.
| Under these directions Colonel Morri-
sons little command was ordered TO adj
vance, and after be ana Captain Hudsin
had carefully instructed the officers and
men what was the object of the move
ment, for each and all had TO know and
understand how important II was TO be
very vigsiant and willy in the execution
| OF the manoeuvre, the movement COM
rnenced. AS well as ] can remember now,
the sun was between one and two hours
! high when the command started. At
intervals II was SO rolling and broken
that tho whole line was frequently re-
tarded by tangled brush. underground.
and bsisrs. that sSeA " TIA way au6