“Attempt of the Rebels to recapture Fort Harrison” (September 30, 1864)
The September 29, 1864 Union attack at Chaffin’s Farm was audible in Richmond. The Richmond Daily Dispatch was not published on September 30th because Virginia Governor William “Extra Billy” Smith ordered the newspaper’s employees to militia duty on the 29th.
150 years ago today the Confederates tried to retake Fort Harrison General Robert Lee reported his army’s failure with what might be a little bit of spin.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 1, 1864:
Saturday morning…October 1, 1864.
The War News.
The excitement throughout our city on Thursday was intense. On Thursday morning we announced that an attack had been made upon our lines in front of Petersburg; but this appears to have been only designed to cover the crossing of a heavy force of the enemy to the north side of James river at Deep Bottom. It seems that the alarm was spread from brigade to brigade on the south side, until it nearly reached the Appomattox river; and solid shot and shell were thrown in great profusion. The firing continued throughout the entire night, and in the morning the reports of heavy guns were heard distinctly from Richmond, showing that a severe conflict was taking place between the opposing forces below Richmond.
At about eleven o’clock the following communication was received at this office:
“State of Virginia,
“Executive Department,
“Richmond, September29, 1864.
“To the Proprietor of the Dispatch:
“Sir:
The Governor desires that you direct the employees of your office, liable to militia duty, to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment’s warning.
Very respectfully.
“
P. Bell Smith,
“Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-camp.”
An hour or two afterward, whilst we were quietly awaiting further orders, and had made no communication with the Executive, we received the following emphatic order:
“Governor’s Office, September28, 1864.
“Editor of the Dispatch:
“I order your men to report at once to Captain Crump. The enemy are approaching the city, and this is no time for delay or difficulties to be made when duty demands our presence in the field.
“By order of the Governor.
“A. R. Boteler,
Aide-de-camp.”
Pursuant to there orders, every man employed in the Dispatch officer promptly reported for duty They each received a musket and a cartridge-box, and, in company with some forty others of the craft, were marched and countermarch for about four or five hours, when orders came for them to be dismissed. The consequence of this movement we that we were compelled to suspend the publication of our paper yesterday, which, we hope, will not occur again. …
The latest.
About one o’clockyesterday heavy firing was heard below the city, and much anxiety was expressed to learn the cause. It was generally believed to have been an attack upon Fort Harrison, but nothing could be definitely ascertained until night, when the following official dispatch was received at the War Department:
“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“September30, 1864.
“Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of War:
“An attempt was made this afternoon to retake Battery Harrison, which, though partially successful failed.
R. E. Lee.”
We understood last evening that our troops gained some advantages, which they did not after wards relinquish. …
NY Times 9-30-1864
In the same issue Dispatch editors admitted that the loss of Fort Harrison was a “sad affair”:
Saturday morning…October 1, 1864.
The situation.
The grand manæuvre which the Yankee papers according to their custom, have been hinting at for the last three weeks as about to be executed, and to result in something if it would astonish all the world and the rest of mankind, has at length been tried. It has not captured Richmond, but it has procured “hospitable graves” for many of Grant’s cut-threats, black and white. What will be try next to. Why, we suppose he will manufacture a bulletin, in which he will announce the most splendid success, and which will set the whole semi-barbarous generation represented by him and his army to screaming, dancing, throwing up their hats, and shouting for old Abe. That is all he has done since he has been in command of the grand army, and it is pretty much all that he can expect to do hereafter. But that will not take Richmond, although it may, and no doubt will, assist greatly in electing Lincoln.
The sudden abandonment of Fort Harrison by our troops was a sad affair. It proves that none but tried veterans ought to be entrusted with the defence of outposts, liable at all times to be suddenly attacked and to be overwhelmed before the arrival of assistance. The Yankees will represent the capture of this post as a great victory, of course. But time will show whether it is so or not. …
