The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-10-04
WAR STORIES.
tA'he Attack Of Fort Harrison.
Maj James B Moore Cameron Texas Confederate Veteran

Having been solicited to give an
account of the action of my command
IN the battle of Fort Harrison, I send
a description of the occurrence,
which, for the number engaged and
resulte achieved, proved TO be one Of
the most remarkable engagements Of
our great war.
It will be remembered that during the
summer and fall of 1864 Gen. Lee
was most actively engaged in the de-
Tense of Petersburg, and to SUCCESS
feily resist Gen. Grants repeated ef-
Sorts to capture that city he had with
drawn all the troops from the front of
Richmond on the north side Of the
James River except one small brigade
Of Tennessee troops, Gen. Benning's
brigade of Georgia troops, few Xir-
sinia militia, and about three hun
dred cavalry, in all numbering not
more than twelve hundred men, under
the command of Gen. Gregg, of Texas.
On the 28th of September, 1861,
the Tennessee Brigade occupied
line Of rifle pits extending from
Drewry's Bluff, on the James River,
to Fort Harrison, situated on the hill,
overlooking James River bottom, and
distant about three. quarters Of
mile.
Fort Harrison was largc earthen
fort commanding the approach by
land TO Drewry's Bluff as we'll as the
heights in its front and for some dis
taEce to lis left. It was armed with
s'y''Al pieces of field artillery and
'"e thirty.two-pouud Columbiaa aud
sas Of sufficient size to accommodate
p.rrison Of some five hundred men,
Du. was manned only by a few militia,
Mho were armed with smooth bore
muskets, with only ten rounds Of car
bridges each, while the artillery was
served by raw troops with only few
rounds Of ammunition.
Benning's Brigade, consisting of
she 3D., 18th, 18th and Goth Georgia
Regiments, was stationed at New
market, about three miles lower down
the james River, in front Of and
watching the command of Gen. But
Ter (spoons). Being in command of
the 17th Georgia, was ordered to
Fort Harrison, and with some two
hundred penitentiary oonyiots aud
three hundred negroes, then at Sas
Harrison, to proceed to strengthen n
the works. With seven companies,
shree companies being left on picket
s duty ! arrived Ct the for! ls.ein th he
evening Of the 2sth Of September,
leaving orders for the three companies
to rejoin the regiment as soon as re-
lieved from picket duty.
Early on the morning Of the 29th of
September Butler, made demonstra-
& tion against our little force at New
market, having during tho evening
and night Of the 2S.h thrown large
force, estimated i at fifteen thousand
B men, across the river from the south
side by means Of pontoon bridge.
& Between our forces and Newmarket
and DreWry's Bluff he undertook to
! march into Richmond, which was
wholly unprotected save by the Ten
h i55nessee Brigade, the militia before
mentioned. and my seven companies
OF the 18th Georgia. About seven
@e'olock in the morning skirmish firing
4 / commenced immediatelyin my front.
About this time / received orders
from Gen. Gregg, then ct or rear
NbaaaAarkst, to turn over the .oopyiqss
tosa. company Of militia detailed for
that purpose and report back to the
commander sas ,;soon as practieable.
ssSveii: sssSsvei e saff.ssRards Is one of my men, re-.
turning from Fort Harrison, reported
to me that the enemy was Immediate
ly In It's front and would soon be in
Z tia works. + Immediately sent the
prisoners to the rearsin charge Of two
os ny companies, and with the re-
naming fse companies, numbering
about seventy three muakets, hurried
into the fort and at cnce opened fire
/, ON the enemy, who was about four
hundred yards distant and steadily
advancing in four double columns OF
4 about six hundred men each, thus
& $arraying the unequal number Of about
& tweDty.four hundred men against my
companies Of only seventy-thres men.
Our fire, being so very effective. soon
threw them in some oonfusion and
5$$bfought them to halt. By this time
The militia and artillerists' ID the fort
{fha II Il. Exhausted their ammunition and
4 fkfirad rather nrae;rikafe e1u$ fnS Aea ~.