[
537]
South of the
Appomattox.
If that Fort should be carried, and possession obtained of the high ground in its rear, the
National Army would thereby be cut in two, and
Lee would have control of the military railway from
City Point to Hatcheir's Run.
This would doubtless open a gate through which the Confederate Army might pass, and, by forced marches, escape across the
Roanoke, join
Johnston, and crush
Sherman by a single overwhelming blow.
The risk was great, but the value of the advantage sought justified the attempt.
Lee assigned to the duty of assaulting Fort Steadman, the two divisions of Gordon's command, with a larger portion of Bushrod Johnson's in support.
He massed behind them all of his disposable force, to the number of twenty thousand men, ready, in the event of a successful assault, to pounce through the open door.
They were well supplied with ammunition and provisions for a long struggle.
at four o'clock on the morning of the 25th,
Gordon advanced to the assault.
Fort Steadman was garrisoned by the Fourteenth arc, New York artillery.
They had no suspicion of danger near.
The Confederates
 |
|
Interior of Fort Steadman.1 |
advanced cautiously, but rapidly, over the narrow space between the works, and seized about half a mile of the picket line.
Then Third two brigades (
Crook's and
Ransom's) dashed forward, and before the garrison were fairly awake to danger, they were pouring over the parapets into the
Fort.
It was a complete surprise, and the assailants met no resistance.
A part of the garrison fled, and the remainder were made prisoners.
The Third brigade of the First division of the Ninth Corps, met a similar fate.
The guns, abandoned without a struggle, were immediately turned upon redoubts near, known as batteries nine, ten, and eleven, and the connecting line of entrenchments, compelling their instant evacuation.
That was the moment when
Lee's Army might have passed through and crowned the
Hill in the rear with their guns and men. It did not, and the golden moment was lost forever.
The troops were not ordered forward, or failed to promptly respond.
the victors attempted to extend their conquest.
On the left of Fort Steadman was a large work called Fort Haskell, commanded by Major Woermer.
This they assailed, but were repulsed, when the guns of Fort Steadman poured a rapid storm of shot and shell upon it. Woermer responded
