The National tribune., 1900-03-15
ON AN OLD BATTLE-GROUND.
Petersburg Guide Tells Of Conditions in q
Once Bloody Section.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Think
ing few lines from Petersburg, Va, would
be of interest to your readers, i have con-
cluded to give you something concerning
the conditions of the old forts and breast
works at this late day.
will first mention the works which were
used on June 10, 1864. They are i'll q
pretty good state of preservation. Battery
No. S, on Jordan's Hill, captured on the
above date, is just as natural to-day as
when it was taken.
Old Fort McGilvray is just as it was left.
Any one who was in this fort cannot fail 10
recognize il. This is the fort which was
occupied by the 1st Conn. Art, commanded
by Capt. f. G. Dow, of New Haven, now
Judge Dow. From this fort Petersburg
was literally torn to pieces. On the left
of it the old Petersburg Express" used to
run, mounted on a flat-car.
Battery Nos. and 10 are in pretty good
shape. Then comes Fort Stcadman, the
most historic spot in this part of the country.
On June 1S, 1864, the Second Corps lost in
killed, wounded and prisoners, on this
place, 10, $50 men; the 1st Me. II. A. losing
604 in very short time; then, again, on
March 25, 1868, Gen. John b. Gordon. of
Georgia, lost 4, 100; the Union forces losing
about $500.
The writer had the pleasure of meeting
Col r. H. |. Goddard, of Providence, X. J.,
who was Adjutant OH Gen. Parke's staff,
who told him that on this memorable day
March 25) he could have taken n dippcr
and dipped up blood, just as one would out
of spring of water.
Next is Fort Haskell, as natural today
as when the soldiers left it in 1865. Bat
terry Is, erected by Gen. J. p. Sanger,
is in as good condition as ever.
Fort Morton has been oblitcrated. This
fronts Burnside's Mine, or the Crater.
Battery 16 is all right; also Fort Meikle.
The 57th Mass. was stationed here for
awhile.
Fort Rice is in remarkable state of
preservation. In fact, it is one of the hest
preserved forts around Petersburg. There
are five lines of works coming into this fort,
all in good condition.
Now for Fort Sedgwick, Better known as
Fort He'll" This place is just as solid as
prcssions made by the cannon-whcels at
this late DAY. This fort is situated OH the
Old JerusnIcm Plank Road, and one con-
tinuouS artillery duel was kept up between
this fort and Fort Malone (Fort Damna-
tom during the whole 10 months siege Of
Petersburg, On Sunday, April 2, 1865,
one of the hottest fights of the campaign
took place here. On June 22, 1864, the
Second Corps suffered Il terrible defeat at
this point; also, on the 9th Of June. 1854,
Kautzs cavalry almost anniniiated the
Home Guard.
On june 16. 1854, "Baldy" Smith. com
manding the Eighteenth Corps. could have
walked into Petersburg without any re
sistauce, IS there We're only Il handful of
SolGcrS to keep him out. On June Il,
1864, "Bald," Smith WallOpcd Gen. Beaurc-
gard. This is the fight III which the 1st
Mich. S. S. lost heavily. | had the Col
9ncl of this regiment here OF Sept. 8 last
and he recognized the spot on which lie was
wounded as soon as lie was taken OH the
ground.
The battle Of the Crater, the Petersburg
& Weldon Il. r., iieam's, Station. Fort
will give You some other time.
This short epistlc is from boy who used
to peddle papers around the lines during
the siege of Petersburg.
BY the way, a great many visitors ask
me about the feeling towards the North.
There is practically no bad feeling at the
present day. Now and thcn you might
meet an old rcb who don't know the war
is over; but they are few and far between.
-CHAS. a. CLARK, Petersburg, Va.