[282]
the place, I hardly see, for the land is open for a mile in front of it, and the Rebs had artillery in position and a regular infantry running quite to the river. . . .
November 28, 1864
Let me see, I had got to Fort Harrison, had I not?
Really I got so sleepy last night over the second sheet that I should not be surprised if it contains numerous absurdities.
From the Fort you have an excellent view of the Rebs in their line opposite, their main fort being only 800 yards distant. I was surprised they did not fire upon us, as there was a great crowd and evidently several generals among us. But I believe they never shoot.
The pickets, on either side, are within close musket-range but have no appearance of hostility.
There was one very innocent “Turkey,” who said to me: “Who are those men just over there?”
When I told him they were Rebs, he exclaimed: “God bless me!”
and popped down behind the parapet. . . .
Thence we all went to view the great canal.
You will notice on the map, that the river at Dutch Gap makes a wide loop and comes back to nearly the same spot, and the canal is going through there.
This cuts off five or six miles of river and avoids that much of navigation exposed to fire; and it may have strategic advantages if we can get iron-clads through and silence the Rebel batteries on the other bank.
The canny Butler sent an aide to see if they were shelling the canal, who reported they were not; so we dismounted a little way off and walked to the place.
It was very worth seeing.
Fancy a narrow ridge of land, only 135 yards wide, separating the river, which flows on either side; a high ridge, making a bluff fifty feet high where it overhangs the water.
Through this a great chasm has been cut, only leaving a narrow wall on the side next the enemy,