Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-03
WESTERN CAMPAIGN.
INCIDENTS OF THE FouR-DAYy
FIGHT AT FORT DoxELsox.
The Part Taken in the Memorable
Engagement by Floyd's Virginia
Brisade--A Pious But Brave Cap
tain who Was MortaIly wounded.

CHASE CITY, VA, February 2.-(spe-
cial JAS time passes. and the partici-
pants In the civil war are further removed
from the scenes, their comrades fast dis
appearing and their voices silent In the
great beyond, II seems that interest In
crcases instead OF dIminishes In reading
all the incidents and "reminiscences per-
tanning TO the "time that tried mems
souls"
l recall some, which may be interest
ing to your readers. and especially to
those who were actors IN that not-to-be-
forgotten western campaign.
1t Is known that the battle OF Fort
Donelson continued four days In Febru-
ground covered with snow. LOG fires
some distance In the rear OF the en-
trenchments afforded the only comforts.
There was but little rest or sleep. Pro-
visions OF all kinds were abundant. I'm
mense quantities of commissary supplies
were left piled on the banks Of the Cum
berland when the Confederates departed.
General Floyd was very solicitious about
the safety OF the Virginians In his bril-
gade. When the writer, with some OF
his company OF the Fifty-sixth Virginia
Regiment, before the surrender, got
aboard the steamboat to go up the Cum
berland river to Nashville. guards were
standing near the gang-plank, saying that
1t was General gloyd's orders that none
but Virginians should get on the boat
Some Mississipplans, who also belonged
to Floyd's Brigade. were not allowed on
board. and were left behind. The writer
said In loud voice from the deck OF the
steamer: This Is not fair; one soldier
has as much right to escape being made
prisoner as another" one of my COM
pany. who had not quite reached the
boat. on hearing me, hollered OUT Cap
tain. don't talk too much let us save
ourselves before We look out for others"
IN THE TRENCHES.
On the morning Of the third day OF the
fight the Yankees could be dimly seen in
our front; some were In trees as sharp
shooters firing at any head above the
oreastworks. My regiment. the Fifty
sixth Virginia, F'loyds Brigade. was in
the trenches awaiting an attack, ex-
pected as soon as the light Of day fairly
broke upon US.
Captain Dabney Carr Harrison, Pres
byterian minister. commanded company
from Henrico and Hanover counties, Va,
in that regiment. His company was next
In line to mine. Just as the first streak
OF morn cleaned upon us. there was
an impressive scene. The noble and pious
Captain called his company to attention,
and repeated in a calm and solemn man
ner the 9th Psalm, commencing:
The Lord Is my light and my salvation:
whom shall l fear; the Lord is the
strength Of my life; of whom shall 1 be
afraid?
when the wicked. even mine enemies
and my foes, come upon me 10 eat OF 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 so continued to the
end Of the chapter.
All the men around him listened with
heads uncovered and bowed on that me-
morable cold winter morning. Some re-
peated after the devout Captain. and the
appropriateness OF the verses and senti
ment contained seemed 10 Undue all in
hearing distance with greater confidence
and a more consoling feeling for the fiery
ordeal through which they were soon TO
pass.
But II was not long before there was
a strange dispensation Of the Almighty.
Captain Harrison, in CALAMITY leading
charge on the Federal lines. was NOR
tally wounded. In his last moments he
exhibited the same fortitude and resigna-
ton to the will Of his Saviour. Singular
to say. only one other man OF his COM
pany was killed. Captain Harrison was
a true type Of Christian soldier. and
one held in the highest esteem by his
brother officers. In has often been
mystery to me why an All-Wise Provi-
dence should have singled out such an
exemplary. useful, pious. and noble man
for the javelin Of death. ! told the Rev.
DR.. Hoge Of this incident in his friends
life many years ago, and mention was
made OF 1t in Sunday-school tract, and
also In sketch OF his lie by some one.
/ wrote the Dispatch an account OF 1t
from Chattanooga. Tenn, In February,
1852.
STANDARD OF VIRGINIA.
Soon after Captain Harrison had finish-
ed the Psalm we saw coming along the
lines all the Confederate generals and
their aides. The Fifty-sixth Virginia
Regiment had then no Confederate co.,
ors, but only the standard OF Virginia
emblazoned on its folds-"Virginia, Sic
semper Tyrannis." General Floyd pass
ed first, looking sternly 10 the front.
Generals Buckner and Bushrod Johnson
next came along, and simply touched
their caps TO our flag. Then came Gene
raj Gideon J. Pillow, with splendid APP
pearance and superbly mounted, and the
prestige OF a Mexican-war hero. When
he reached our centre he refined in his
horse, and. facing the regiment, saluted
our banner, and said so all could hear.
pointing TO the Virginia emblem: SOL
diera I trftcf IN old VIRGINIA NV fat,,
and my honor" The effect was electri-
CAL and inspired the Virginians with re-
newed hopes and courage and great ad-
miration for the magnifcent-looking Ten
nesseean.
CONFIDENCE IN BUCKNER.
But all the officers and men centered
their confidence in Buckner. He drilled
our brigade at Russellville. KY, the pre-
vious Sunday, and all remembered him.
He looked every inch a typical military
man and leader. BY some intuition or
inexplcable influence officers and men
said: 'Buckner is the only general with
us we can rely on" The result showed
their confidence was not misplaced.
Floyd ana Pillow turned over the COM
mand TO Buckner. and escaped In safety.
l heard General Pillow say In a public
speech at Columbia, Tenn, the next
Wtth thdh TIC ildu TdtHST nave
his head than that of any man In the
South.
STOOD BY HIS MEN.
General Buckner stood by his men.
negotiated for capitulatlon, and surren-
dered with them. Several Of the Federal
generals at Donelson knew Buckner well,
and were at West Point with him. He
was treated with much consideration.
On the evening OF the first day after
fighting commenced the Confederates
took as prisoner captain OF an Illinois
regiment BY some means he was brought
to my campfire. and while sitting there
at night asked him who commanded the
Federal army. He replied: General u.
S. Grant" When asked where he came
from. as we had never heard Of him be-
fore. he said: you will know him we'll
enough before Saturday night. His initials
are suggestive OF Unconditional Surrender
Grant" He seemed TO be an intelligent
and jovial fellow, and all around the fire
laughed at his supposed ridiculous as
sertion, but. much to our astonishment,
his predictions were verified at the ap-
pointed time.
BEDFORD CITY,S WATER SUPPLY.