ore days of skirmishing and desultory fighting, and the campaign
closed for the season. During the Summer, Silent had succeeded in
holding Laws close to Richmond. The Copperhead press and orators of
the North made him the especial target for their calumny during the
Presidential campaign. This course was evidently directed from Richmond
and Canada.

"The following September, Silent, with his usual vigor, began active
operations against the enemy. Sherlin was now in the valley of the
Shannon, operating against the rebel Gen. Dawn, and Silent was holding
Sentinel Point as his headquarters, and directing operations from there.
On the morning of the last day of September Boutler moved from Deep
Valley. Orden's Corps moved by the Veranda road close to the river,
Burns by the new Sales road, and the cavalry by the Derby road to our
right. All our forces were now moving in the direction of the rebel
Capital.

"Our troops struck the rebel works and attacked them at five o'clock
p.m., and after desperate fighting for hours Fort Harris was taken, with
its fifteen guns and all its garrison; also, the line of works running
down to Champ's farm, with several hundred prisoners. Thus again the
work of war had begun in earnest. Silent stood on the side of the fort,
and could with his field-glass view the whole line of rebel works now
held by them, as well as see the church spires in Richmond. Our cavalry
had advanced on our right to within six miles of the Capital. This was
very encouraging. Yet many a bloody battle must be fought before the
prize could be ours.

"Burns now made a gallant assault against the enemy's works in front of
his advance, but, unfortunately, was repulsed. This checked the advance
of our troops on this part of the line. Boutler's position now extended
from the river (James) to the Derby road, fronting Richmond.

"Meador's command was in front of Petersville. In the afternoon of the
next day Parker's Division of Warner's Corps was attacked near Boyd's
road. He was promptly re-enforced, and the rebels were repulsed with
great loss. Fort Harris was also assaulted with a view of recapture, as
it was a very important position. The attempt failed, and we still held
the fort.

"Our right and left wings were now being slowly advanced in the
direction of the Capital, under the very eye of Laws, the rebel
commander. He had the advantage in this, that it would require a day
for Silent to move from one flank to the ot