Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-01

THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE-FLAG
burg. Yorktown. Williamsburg. Jackson's
Valley campaign, Cedar Run. Second
Manassas. Sharpsburg. Fredericksburg.
Charlottesville. Gettysburg, the Wilder
ness, SbOtsylvania Courthouse. Han
over Junction. Early's Valley campaign,
and 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 i'm Virginia.
But l shall only speak of the battles In
the near vicinity Of Richmond.
Drewry's BiuT, or Fort Darling.
The evacuation of Yorktown and the
retreat of the Confederate army to the
line of the Chickahominy in the early
days Of May, 1862, necessitated the eyacu-
alton of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
AZ had een intended that the Virginia
Uhe old Merrimac) which had performed
such splendid feats in Hampton Roads,
had whipped the Monitor, until she had
for weeks absolutely refused 10 fight her,
and ruled the wave" about Newport
News and Fort NJ nroe, 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 to be
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 (Merrl-
mac). now boldly steamed up the river.
in the confident expectation of capturing
Richmond. But they found, May 10, 1852.
Zion In their path" at Drewry's Bluff
Fort Darling, situated on the south
side of tho James. seven and 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-
ginia. and other troops worthy TO be COM
rades of these.
After four hours bombardment by the
Federal feet the heroic defenders showed
such persistent pluck and such skill I'm
handling their guns, and several Of the
gunboats were so severeL' injured that
the attempt was abandoned. The feet
moved down the river. Richmond was
saved and Fort Darling was made so
strong that il resisted to the end all
attempts upon ii. and was held by the
Confederates until the evacuation OF
Richmond, in April 1866.
Seven Pines.
When General Mcclellan, with his i'm
mcnse 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 10000 men I'm
position before Richmond, but was wait
ing for McDowelfs 1000 at Fredericks-
burg, which were about TO move down
on his right flank, when the brilliant opera
tons of Stonewall Jackson startled the
country and caused Mr.. Lincoln 10 issue
his famous order for Mcdowell 10 send
large part OF his troops to the Shenan-
doah Valley. But Mcclellan still waited
IN the hope that McDowelrs diversion
would be only temporary. and General
Joseph h. Johnston. who had only 63.cto
meh Of all arms. determined to attack