The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-20
What Was News
Fifty Years Ago
From tho Richmond Dispatch July -. 1854.

AS intiinatcd In this paper yesterday
morning. the report that General Grant
had been struck by Shell and died
shortly afterwards, while his arm WAS
neihS amputated, was untrue. The
whole story grew out OF a conversation
across tho lines" between Federal and
Confederate pickets. who nowadays get
so close together in front OF Peters
burg they sometimes have friendly"
talks. Federal picket said TO a Con-
federate: II suppose YOU fellows will
be satisfied now that YOU have killed
General Grant" and then went on to
explain that he had just heard that
the general was struck by shell and
died while his wounded arm was being
amputated. AT another point on the
picket limo there was another swap
ping of news across tho border. in
which the Yankee picket told the Con-
fcderate that a piece of news which he
would not disclose had Just been pro-
mulgated at headquarters, and that it
was news that will probably give the
| ftendish rebels" great deal of Joy
Putting this and that together, the re-
port that General Grant had been
killed by a Confederate she'll spread In
both armies when. a 8 n matter of fact,
at the time, General Grant was no.
where in reaching distance of a Con-
federate shell.
Picket firing in front OF Petersburg
was general during much of the day
Sunday, and in the afternoon and even
Ing the enemy INDUCED in Its usual
pastime of throwing shells at the city
Beyond this there was but little OF In
terest and no indications OF a general
engagement
The Confederate shore batteries down
the James River fired vigorously Sat
urday on the Federal gunboat FIunch-
back and struck her several times. un-
til the Hunchback sought refuge under
the nearby bluffs The Indications
were that she was considerably dam
aged before she got out of range
The Confederate gunboat Nansemond
was attacked on Saturday ny the Fed
eral shore batteries at Trcnts Beach
The Nansemond responded. but as far
as can be learned no damage was dono
on either side.
On Sunday our batteries opened on
the enemy's pontoon bridge and camp
near Trcnts. Several horses were
killed. and company Of Fcderals were
made to skedaddle In short order
1t turns out that General MorGan's
operations in Kentucky, of which we
have had but meagre reports. were to
head off Federal raid under General
iObson. the object of which was to de-
stroy the Confederate salt works in
Southwest Virginia. Morgans expedi-
ZION was SuCCeSSlui, anu the salt WORKS
are still safe.
General Joseph f. Johnston has been
relieved OF the command Of the Army
of Tennessee, now operating in North
Georgia. and General John B. Hood has
been appointed to take command of
that army. IT seems that President
Davis and his Cabinet were dissatisfied
with General Johnston for not making
n vigorous fight against Sherman and
for giving up so much territory with
out such fight. 1t may BIO said Of
General Hood that he Is fighter
whether a wise one not remains to
be seen.
An official report made public yes
terday is to the effect that tho Con-
fcderate forces that have been threat
ening Washington have crossed the
Potomac at Whites Ford: that tho re-
treat was In good order. and that the
Federals attempted pursuit. The
results Of the expedition were a fright
TO the Washington government the
capture of vast herds of cattle, very
many horses and army stores. and the
Gripping OF the railroads entering
Washington and Baltimore.
George A. Trenholm. of South Caro-
linn. has been named as the successor
OF G. c. Memmingcr. as Secretary of
the Treasury of the Confederate States
Mr. Memminger resigned over a week
ago.