VIRGINIA. 



815 



much science and skill had been expended, con- 

 sisted of three lines of works. The first line 

 was about a mile from the city. It consisted 

 of a series of detached earth forts, entirely en- 

 circling Kichmo'nd. They were within a com- 

 mon range of each other, but not connected by 

 any line of breastworks, and so placed as to 

 command all the roads or other avenues of ap- 

 proach. The forts were pierced for four and 

 in some cases six guns, but none had been 

 mounted ; it had evidently been intended that 

 they should b'e used as a last resort, in the 

 event of the outer lines being carried. The 

 depth from the bottom of the ditch to the top 

 of the earth parapet was about ten or fifteen 

 feet. Bather more than a mile from this line 

 of defence was the second. It was a connected 

 system of works extending from a point about 

 three miles south of Richmond, on the James 

 River, entirely around the northern side of the 

 city, till the line again touched the river three 

 miles north of Richmond. This line was sup- 

 plemented at -various points by additional earth- 

 works commanding the roads leading down to 

 the different pontoon bridges across the James, 

 which were used to cross with supplies to the 

 armies or to the city. The forts which formed 

 the angles of this line of works, and all of 

 which were connected by breastworks, with a 

 ditch in front, were not so large and formida- 

 ble as the detached forts nearer the city, or 

 those on the third or outer line. The second 

 line was reached only on one occasion by Fed- 

 eral troops, under General Terry, who skir- 

 mished up to it, after breaking through a part of 

 the outer line. Four or five miles beyond the 

 second line of defence was the third, which 

 also commenced at the James River, and about 

 opposite to Fort Darling. It was carried con- 

 tinuously around the city, to a point on the 

 James about three miles north of the second 

 line. It was by far the most formidable of all. 

 It was not parallel with the second, but in some 

 places nearer, and at others more distant, ad- 

 vantage having been taken of the undulating 

 surface of the ground. At about the most 

 southerly angle of the line was Fort Johnson. 

 Southeast from this was Fort Harrison, and 

 about three hundred yards distant. About one 

 to three hundred yards distant from each other, 

 were placed similar forts along the whole line. 

 Fort Johnson had three points for heavy guns, 

 the centre one forming the apex of a triangle 

 with the other two, and all being connected 

 with a heavy line of breastworks, with a deep 

 ditch in front. At each of the points at which 

 heavy guns were placed, there was a bomb- 

 proof to protect the men from the fire of artil- 

 lery and shells. The breastworks were formed 

 by driving timbers well into the ground, and 

 building in front of them an earthen wall 

 some six or seven feet high, and about as many 

 broad, with a ditch in front about six feet deep, 

 and nearly as many wide, thus making about 

 12 to 14 feet from the bottom of the ditch to 

 the top of the earth ern parapet or wall. There 



were embrasures for guns, commanding the 

 country in front of the fort, and partially also 

 the ditches in front of the breastworks. About 

 100 feet in front of the fort was a line of abatis, 

 formed of timber about the thickness of heavy 

 cordwood, firmly embedded in the ground, 

 with sharply pointed ends, and rising a height 

 of about three feet at the sharp end. This 

 pointed timber was planted close together, and 

 was a most formidable barrier to break through, 

 under the fire of heavy guns and rifles blazing 

 away from the fort. In advance of this line of 

 abatis were two similar lines at about 100 feet 

 apart, so that before reaching the ditch, three 

 separate lines of abatis had to be passed or 

 broken through under a heavy firey besides that 

 between each line numerous shells were placed, 

 and lightly covered with earth, which, on be- 

 ing trod upon, at once exploded. In advance 

 of the third line of abatis were the picket 

 posts, formed of a triangular mound of earth to 

 protect the sentry. "When to all this is added 

 that for a mile in front of the fort the forest had 

 been cut down, the difficulties of an attacking 

 column may be imagined, they having to charge 

 for nearly a mile under accurate range of the 

 guns of the fort, over ground which is covered 

 with trees which have been made to fall in 

 every possible confusion ; and if they succeeded 

 in reaching the first line of abatis, having then 

 to overcome the difficulties above explained, 

 before reaching the edge of the ditch where 

 the final struggle would begin. 



Upon the occupation of Richmond by Gen- 

 eral Weitzel, military authority was established. 

 Steps were taken for the reassembling of the 

 State Legislature with the approval of Presi- 

 dent Lincoln, who was at the time in Rich- 

 mond (see UNITED STATES). No meeting, how- 

 ever, took place. Major-General Halleck then 

 took command of the military force at Richmond, 

 and modified the course of events by refusing 

 to recognize any official authority in the State 

 officers elected during the war. Affairs con- 

 tinued in this state until May 9th, when Pres- 

 ident Johnson issued the following : 



EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON CITY, May 9,'1SC5. 

 Executive Order to reestablish the authority of the United 

 States, and execute the lairs teithin the geographical 

 limit* known as the State of Virginia. 



Ordered 1. That all acts and proceedings of the 

 political, military, and civil organizations which have 

 been in a state of insurrection and rebellion, within A 

 the State of Virginia, against the authority and laws 

 of the United States, and of which Jefferson Davis, 

 John Letcher, and William Smith were late the chiefs, 

 nre declared null and void. All persons who shall 

 exercise, claim, pretend, or attempt any political, 

 military, or civil power, authority, jurisdiction, or 

 right, by, through, or under Jefferson Davis, late of 

 the City of Richmond, and his confederates, or under 

 John Letcher or William Smith and their confeder- 

 ates, or under any pretended political, military, or 

 civil commission or authority issued by them or either 

 of them since the 17th of April, 18G1, shall be deemed 

 and taken as in rebellion against the United States, 

 and shall be dealt with accordingly. 



2. That the Secretary of State proceed to put in 

 force all laws of the United States, the administration 



