The Washington herald., 1914-09-29

Gen. Heckman's division was delayed
IN getting into position in the woods In
front of the fort, and when the order
was given to advance against the Con-
federates. Gen. Ames' division moved
forward alone. With impetuous fury the
Federals dashed upon the works, cut
through the abatis, jumped the ditch
and clambered upon the parapet
The struggle was short and bloody
one. and when Gen. Grant. who had
crossed the James at Deep Bottom, came
upon the scene early in the forenoon, he
found the fort in the hands OF his
troops. The general made his way into
the fort on foot, stepping carefully to
avoid treading upon the dead and
wounded who lay thick upon the ground.
From the walls OF the fort he got his
first near view OF Richmond The city
was scarcely seven miles distant, and
its church spires could be distinctly seen
Confederate battery continued to
throw a rain OF shells into Fort Harri-
son. yet Grant did not seem TO notice
It. and coolly sat down upon the ground.
tucked his legs under him. and wrote
a dispatch to Gen. Birney. ordering him
to continue the movement toward Rich
mond.
Negro Troops Fought Well.
Grant had just come from Gen. Bfr-
ney's position on the New Market road.
where the Federals had been equally
successful. There Gen. Butler took his
stand with the negro troops which he
mad organized. He was determined TO
demonstrate their fighting abilities. Or
ders had been given them to 60 at the
enemy with the bayonet. and the nipples
mad been removed from the guns so
that they could not be fred.
AS the negro regiments came in sight
OF the Confederate defenses across the
New Market road and north of it toward
the Darby road. they advanced upon
them with great EsIlantry. The defend
ers Kept up heavy fire and several
times the ranks Of the black troops were
broken, yet they rallied and maintained
bold front
Cutting their way through two lines
or abatis, with aXmen falling all along
the line, they threw themselves. upon
the earthworks. carried them and drove
the defenders back TO the second line
OF defenses
The position gained had been made
strong against attack when Grants mes
sage to continue the advance was re-
ceived. Some advantage was gained in
the succeeding hours. About p. m. Gen.
Ames division and Brig. Gen. Birnev's
colored brigade stormed Fort Gilmer. one
OF the defenses of the interior line and
were repulsed with heavy loss. In this
attack Gen. Ames' troops We'd with the
negroes in deeds of gallantry The COL
ored soldiers forced their way into the
ditch. but were unable to gain a foot
hold upon the works.
Check on the Enemy.
Grant was we'll satisfied with the dav's
work He had gained strong position
with sixteen guns and several hundred
prisoners. and believed he had called
from Richmond or Petersburg to the
That night the Confederates moved
several brigades across the James from
the Petersburg lines to the lines at Chat
ms Farm, and the next day, September
81 attempted to retake Fort Harrison
Ihey were reDulsed with heavy loss by
The Federals, who had worked all through
The night making their positions secure /
The transfer Of Confederate troops
from Petersburg to the north bank Of
the James so weakened Lees lines that
when on September 80 Gen. Meade made |
IN attack in the vicinity of Poplar Springs
church, south of Petersburg he gained /
considerable ground. This he held in
ne face of counter stroke by the Con- !
'ederates.
On the whole, the operations of Sep
ember $3.50 were greatly to the advantage .
II the Federals. They allayed the fear !
nat Sheridan, in the valley. might be 4
attacked by superior numbers, and paved !
he way for subsequent movements south .
md west Of Petersburg.
The Federal losses on the two days ,
north OF the James werS 3S3 killed, :. .2g9 /
wounded and 6i5 captured or missing, .
otal OF 3.321. Gen. Hiram Burnham. Of
division, was killed in the as
'ault on Fort Harrison. Gen. Stannard .
ost an arm on September 30 and Gen.
(rd was wounded and borne from the :
ield on the first day. The Confederate
osses were considerably more than 2,OOO
TILED, wounded and missing. |
Cen Meade's losses at Poplar Spring
shurch on September 20 were 1ST killed,
GO wounded and 1,SO2 captured or missing.
total of 2SSs. Ine Confederate losses
we're heavy, but no estimate Of them
las been made.
rOmorrow-Death of Mrs.. Green
low, famous SPY.
CcORsrisht. lsld. Associated LitsrEJ PrssAl ii