Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-05-08
FROM NORTHERN ALABAMA.

Tho Macon (Gs) Telegraph publishes the following
account of 1.-THE Stampede" at Bridgeport:
Mr.. Cowles who returned to Macon from Cbatianoo-
co. Yesterday gives deplofable account Of the Con.
le ierste stampede at Bridgeport by which moot i'm.
poran gateway to Georgia was opened to the enemy,
aud the Procession OF all our rich mineral deposits Of
coal, iron and sapstre placed in imninen. Danger.
guard of sbcu: 400 men had been placed BY Gen.
eral Lea ibettr the Western end Of the bridges at
Bridgeport These bridges two in number, resting
for their termin upon Island in the middle Of the
ri-er aud distant about thirty miles from Cha:lapoo
On Tuesday la0t word Was brought 10 General Load
better at Chattanooga, that the enemy ives advancing
and had driven 10 the pckes OF the guard Stationed az
bridges. Accordingly Gen. started for the scene Of
action with special train taxing with him reinforce.
men.s to the number OF 500 men.
Soon after his arrival the enemy approached, to the
number supposed, Of ten TO fifteen hundred and
o5ened fire upon our men An instant stampede follow
cd which General Leadbstter led better than
else according 10 the account We lave received. He
took the he had brought " with him, put OF!
and never stepped ill he reached Chattanooga. All the
officers with exception 20 far as We have learned
did the same. The men followed in double quick throw
ing away their srd secocrements es they ran
Bui Captain Gain remained behind, approached the
eastern bridge esd cre2 under TO shelter himself from
tbs Cncmys ic ard here Whaling shAyngs from the
timber, kndled Are with soma matches he happened
TO have in bis pocket and mover fs his posilon till the
structure was too far in fimes TO be saved.
Meantime when Gen. Lssdbetter bad arrived In Chat
tsnoosa, a Gen. Reynolds and ssj n from Virginia
name not recoectsd) took the train and back 70
Bridgeport, meeting many strangers on the way and
gathered the and accoutre uens which had been
thrown aside They collected some four or fTe hundred
mu-ksts and corresponding number OF knspsack',
tidge boxes bsnksis r.; aud fading tho bridge III mt
tae Confederate force oil dispersed and no mmed a.s
likelihood Of the cnemys crossing, returned TO Chstta-
noogs With what they had saved
The oGy loss Of life in th, brilliant sfr" wsg said
to have been oco,soacd By novel experiment in gun
merry. Some Of ueo had rugged two pieces Of artl
lery up,n hsrd car and in the 40. Of letting il down
tue grade towards the bridge, the became
msnag able ran Of the track killed two Confederate
.oijiers, aud sev rely wounded two more.
The strsggcrs daily coming in and cay they ran
because the ocers all ran, aud let nobody to take COM
mand.
Gen. Reynolds by last accounts trying to get up
volunteer force defend tic psISes this side OF tie
bridge which, i is said, could be easily defended by
small force Mayor Smith, of Chattanooga, had been
teegraphng about in tho vain hops Of arousing the at
te ton OF the Confederate officers in that region 10 the
Importance Of defsnd!pgit.
We tell this soy as 1t told to Us BY one who had
the ampes opportunities Of getting at tho Truth. II
record Of shame unless informant wis altogether
misoi In the facts. We learned BY private telegram
yesterday hat The enemy have nov possession OF both
sid If the river at Bridgeport.