The National tribune., 1904-09-29

DaSSe0 on Win mefeSI meullOu.
After arriving before Petersburg, Gen.
Grant began a persistent push of his LETT
flank out toward the Weldon and South
side Railroads, which were Lees main
lines of supply. Lee fought desperately
to hold these, and Grant repeatedly
thought that he had drawn enough rebels
in that direction to so weaken Lees forces
north of the James River, as to make IT
likely that the Union troops could ad-
vance north of the James, gain ground, and
possibly enter Richmond.
Several times this was tried with more
defeats than successes. Lee had mucn
shorter inside line, and at any movement
of troops to the north bank of the river
he could get men into his works quicker
than the Union soldiers could mass to at
tack them.
Toward the last of September, Gen.
Grant. having gained the Weldon Kali
road desired to push out farther in that
direction, and ordered demonstration on
the north side to engage Lees attention,
draw off his forces, and possibly turn MS
flank.
A substantial success in that direction
would at least relieve the pressure upon
Gems. Warren and Parke on the Weldon
Railroad, and enable them to gain ground.
1t might lead to important success else
where, and the whole army was on the
alert. ;,
Sept. % Gen. Ord, commanding the
Eighteenth Corps, and Gen. Birney. COM
manding the Tenth Corps, were ordered
to cross the James, and advance upon
Richmond. Gen. Ord was to move by the
Varina road. near the river. and Gen.
Birney,with, Rautz's cavalry, by the New
Market and Darby roads.
Gen. Ord was to engage the enemy in
his works at and near the river at Chapln's
Bluff, and prevent reinforcements being
sent from the south side against Birney's
column. He was to cross the James by
q pontoon bridge to be established during
the early part of the night at Alkens, two
miles below Dutch Gap. where the Narina
road abutted on the river. Gen. Birney
was to cross at Deep Bottom by the up
per pontoon bridge; Gen. Kautz was to
follow him.
Gen Ord selected for the purpose 1900
men from each of his First and Second
Divisions. one commanded by Brig. Gen.
man. His Third Division (coloredD. COM
manded by Grig.-Gen. Paine. reported to
Maj.-Gen. Birney, whose column. COM
posed of his First and Second Divisions,
under Gems. Terry and Ames, and Gen.
William Birney's Brigade Of colored
10000 strong. Gen. Ord. from the Ber-
muda front. and Gen. Birney. from the
Petersburg front. each left sufficient force
In the intrenchments TO maintain them.
BOTH COLUMNS
were over the river and moving on the
routes designated, by daylight. driving be-
fore them the enemy's skirmishers and ad-
vance troops. Every precautiOn had been
taken to keep the knowledge of the move
ment from the enemy and make the at
tack surprise.
By 7:3O Gen. Ord had reached the open
ground around Fort Harrison. on Chapin's
farm, the strongest work on the main line
of intrenchments. about mile and a quar-
ter from the works on the river at Chapin's
Bluff. with which it was connected by more
than one line of intrenchments. While one
line of advanced intrenchments held by the
Confederate pickets or skirmishers ran
from Fort Harrison in a northeast direc-
ton, the main line. soon after leaving the
fort. ran north about three-fourths of
mile to Fort Gilmer. which was also con-
nected with the works on the river mt
Chapins Bluff by two intrpnched lines The
main advanced line of Richmond intrench-
ments continued north from Fort Gilmer
about three-fourths of mile, then ran
northeast to the Chickahominy at New
Bridge. The possession of Fort Harrison
did not give possession of the defenses at
Chapin's Bluff. but the possession of Fort
Gilmsr would give it.
OPENING OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
Ord having arrived upon the ground. the
artillery OF the fort and adjacent works
opened upon him. The disposition for at
tack was quickly made by him. Stan
nards Division, Gen. Burnham's Brigade
leading. was to push forward on the left
of the Varina road. in column of divisions,
over the open ground in front of the works.
preceded by skirmishers. The distance if
had to traverse was about ] 400 yards.
Gen. Hickman was to move his division, as
soon as it came up. along the edge of the
wood that skfrted the Varina road on the
right until opposite Fort Harrison, and
then to attack it on the front toward the
wood-the east front. This would enyelop
the work on the south and east. Rein
forcements were now seen entering Fort
Harrison from the enemy's left. Stan
nard's Division advanced in quick time.
and when they reached the foot of the hill
which the work crowned Burnham's Bri-
gade ran up it under a severe fire of artil-
lery and musketry, and after very sharp
encounter captured the work, with is guns
and a number of prisoners including the
Lieutenant-coloneli in command of it, Gen.
Burnham was killed i'm the assault. Col.
Stevens. the officer who succeeded to the
command of the brigade. was severely
wounded. and his successor also. The diyi-
sion lost 594 killed and wounded during
the day
The enemy was next driven from the
intrenchments on the right and left Of
the fort. including two lunets GOO wards
apart. which were captured with their
artillery. six guns. Gen. Ord now en-.
deavored to sweep down the captured in
treuchments to the remaining redan, which
was on the river bank so as 10 secure the
enemy's pontoon bridge. but this redar
was covered by the Confederate gunboats
and by battery in the rear. and the at
tempt was unsuccessful. In making il
Gen. Ord was so severely wounded i'm thu
leg as TO completely disable him. and IN,
command devolyei upon Gen. Hickman
He (Gen. Ord) says in advancing wen,
TOO far into the woods his brigades becam.
scattered. and were not available att th.
right time.
GEN. LEE ARRIVES ON THE SCENE.
In the meanwhile Gen Lee. becomins
alarmed for the safety of his line on thu
north side, hurried over there in person
to the assistance of Gen. Eweil. who was
In command. He also sent pressing order.
fof troops to hasten forward to the NORTH
side, and some brigades were brought by
r4ilroad from his extreme left
Gen. Stannarj had succeeded by attack
M at once, as soon az he came in sight.