Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/213

 Memorial Window in Trinity Church, Portsmouth. 207

WHAT CAPTAIN ATKINS SAYS.

BOYDTON, VA., November o, 1891. Colonel B. L. FARINHOLT:

My Dear Sir: Your letter, with a copy of the Richmond Times of the 2yth of September, containing General Dabney H. Maury's account of the fight at Staunton river bridge in June, 1864, came duly to hand.

Of course it was unintentional, but nevertheless the account does you a great injustice in giving to others the credit of planning and directing what General Maury correctly terms " the most remarka- ble fight of the war."

I was an active participant in the fight, and probably knew more about its details than any other person except yourself, and very

cheerfully give you my recollection of its main features.



From the time I reached the bridge until I left, you were unques- tionably in command of all the troops on both sides of the river, di- recting in person every movement, disposition of the troops and other details of the fight, every officer present looking to you for and obeying your orders.

Colonel H. E. Coleman did not reach the bridge until the morn- ing of the 25th, when he reported to you for duty, and you assigned him to the immediate command of about one hundred and fifty men

then placed at the foot of the bridge on the north side of the river.



General Maury also misunderstood Colonel Flournoy as to where he was stationed during the fight. The Colonel, with some mounted men he had raised, was guarding Cole's Ferry, two or three miles above the bridge, to prevent the Federal forces crossing there.

Yours truly,

W. T. ATKINS.

The Memorial Window in Trinity Church, Portsmouth, Va., to the Confederate Dead of its Congregation.

[This account, which is published by request, was furnished by a former officer of Trinity Church.]

This beautiful stained-glass gift was erected in Trinity Church, in the city of Portsmouth, Va., by the Rev. John Henry Wingfield,