The only book on Fort Harrison is Richard Sommers' book, Richmond Redeemed. I'm sure you can buy it for practically nothing at www.used.addall.com

Essentially what happened was this: Lee had stripped the troops defending Richmond so that the city was almost undefended on Sept. 29th. On that date, Butler's army of the James attacked the Richmond defenses at 2 points, New Market Heights and Fort Harrison. The capture of Harrison forced the evacuation of New Market Heights.

Gen. Charles Field urged Lee to recapture the fort immediately but Lee waited to bring up several additional brigades of troops. The delay was fatal. The Federals used the delay to strengthen the fortifications they'd captured. When the Confederates attacked on Sept. 30 they were repulsed with heavy loss. On Oct. 7th Lee tried to retake the fort again, this time by outflanking the Federals by advanceing along the Darbytown Road. This attack was initially successful but a stout Union defense near Harrison again repulsed the Confederates with heavy losses.

Your regiment was also involved in a number of battles north of the James, several of which I'm writing about.

Feel free to email me.

The County of Henrico will publish a two volume history of the war in that county written by the historian Louis Manarin. Considerable space will be devoted to Fort Harrison.

Bryce A. Suderow
streetstories@juno.com