Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31
THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE,FLAG.
FIGHTS NEAR HERE.
Vivid Review Of the Battles Fought In
RiChTOnd'S Defence
ROUTED The ENEMY'S Big FLEET.
Her GnnbOatS Driven from DreVry'S
Bluff by the COnfederateS.
GENERAL MCCLELLAN REPULSED.
All His Efforts 10 Reach The Capital
Resulted in Disaster.
THE SEVEN DAYS CAMPAIGN
Thrilling Recital of the Most Nota-
BILE Features I'm This Important
Chief engagements, and Those
Who Conducted Them.

II will be a matter Of interest 10 vete
rams at the reunion TO recall the battle
fought in the immediate vicinity of Rich
mond, and Il is my pleasant task to give
not an elaborate description Of them,
for that would require u volume, but q
bare outline with some personal reminis-
conces and anecdotes which may serve
TO freshen the memory, and revive the
interest of old comrades who participated
IN them. and Of others who care for our
heroi, history.
IL should include all Of the battles
fought In defence OF Richmond l should
have TO write the history of the Army of
Northern Virginia, for Manassas. Lees
burg, Yorktown. williamsburg, Jackson's
Valley campaign, Cedar Run, Second
Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg,
Charlottesville Gettysburg, the Wilder
ness, Spotsylvania Courthouse. Han
over Junction, Early's Valley campaign,
Rnc the battles around Petersburg were all
really fought In defence OF the capital OF
the confederacy, which was the real OBJ
Jective point of every movement OF the
Federal armies In Virginia.
the near vicinity of Richmond.
Drewry's DluG, or Fort Darling.
The evacuation of Yorktown and the
retreat OF the Confederate army TO the
line of the Chckahominy in the early
days Of May. 1862. necessitated the evacu-
alton of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
1t had been intended that the Virginia
(the old Merrimac). which had performed
such splendid feats in Hampton Roads,
had whipped the Monitor. until she had
for weeks absolutely refused TO fight her,
and ruled the wave" about Newport
News and Fort Monroe, should be used
for the protection Of James river, and the
defence of Richmond; but, unfortunately,
the pilot announced at the last moment
that she drew too much water 10 be
carried up the James. and the noble IRON
clad had TO be destroyed TO prevent her
from falling into the hands of the enemy
This left the James open for the Federal
gunboats, and the Monitor, the Galena
the Aroostook, the Nangatuck. the Port
Royal. and others, which had been
covering under the guns of Fort
Monroe for fear of the Virginia (Merri-
mac. now boldly steamed up the river
in the confident expectation of capturing
Richmond. But they found, May 10, 1866
a lion sin their path at Drewrys Bluff
Hort Darling, situated on the south
side of the James, seven and a half miles
below the city. The fort was incomplete
and the distractions in the river made
quate: but the position was held by the
heroic men who had fought on the Vir-
gnia. and other troops worthy TO be COM
yades of these
After four hours bombardment by the
Federal fleet the heroic defenders showed
such persistent pluck and .such skill in
handling their guns, and several of the
gunboats were so severely injured that
the attempt was abandoned. The fleet
moved down the river. Richmond was
saved and Fort Darling was made so
strong that II resisted TO the end all
attempts upon 1t, and was held by the
Confcderates until the evacuation of
Richmond, in April. 1866.
Seven Pines.
When General Mcclellan, with his i'm
mense army, superbly equipped, approach
ed the defences of Richmond, he threw
his left wing across the Chickahominy at
Seven Pines and Fair Oaks and strongly
fortified his line at that point, as indeed,
along his whole front.
Mcclellan numbered over 100000 men In
position before Richmond, but was wait
ing for McDowelrs 10000 at Fredericks-
burg. which were about TO move down
on his right flank. when the brilliant opera
lions of Stonewall jackson startled the
country, and caused Mr. Lincoln 10 issue
his famous order for Mcdowell TO send
large part of his troops TO the Shenan-
doah Valley. But Mcclellan still waited
IN the hope that McDowell's diversion
would be only temporary, and General