The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-07-15

/ GERS nau caught DInL Oh the mysteries
which prevailed The trains were or.
dered to move, troops to hold themselves
in readiness to march at any moment
So passed the day, dreadful in its moral
attributes as day of peslilence, and
when night closed upon the dreary scene,
the enterprise had fully begun. Endless
streams of artillery trains, wagons and
funeral ambulances poured down the
roads from all the camps, and plunged
into the narrow funnel which was our
only hope of escape. And now the ex
quisite truth flashed upon me- II was
absolutely necessary, for the salvation OF
the army and tie cause, that our wound :
ed and mangled braves who lay moaning,
IN physical agony in our hospitals should
be deserted and left in the hands OF the
enemy. Oh the cruel horrors of war.
Do you wonder, my friends, that the
features Of youth wrinkle, and that the
strong mans beard sivers soon amid
such scenes? The signature of age
lndltes itself full soon upon the smooth
est face of warriors and those who wit
ness wars cruelty. All, well, another
night Of sorrow without catastrophe.
Officers were on horseback nearly all
night, ordering the great caravan and
its escorts. No wink of sleep again no
peace Of mind for any who realized the
peril Of our country in those blank hours.
At daylight, General Nc cClellan was
on the road. Thousands Of cattle, Of
wagons, and our immense train of arhl-
lery, intermingled with infantry, and
great troops of cavalry, choked up the
narrow road already. General Summers,
Heinizelman's and Franklin's corps,
under Summers command, had been left
10 guard the lear, with orders to fall back
at daylight, and hold the enemy in check
ill night, A noble army for sacrifice,
and some, oh how many, must fall TO
save the rest. The very slightest move
ment from the front was critical Atno
point along the line, were we moro than
three-four;hs OF mile from the enemy,
and in front Of Sedgwick's line, they
were not over 60 yards distant. The
slightest vibration at my point was apt
70 thrill the rebel lines from center TO
wings. Bat fortunately, by skillful
secrecy. column after column was march
ID 10 the ear-Franklin FIRST, SeJswick
next, then Richardson, and Hooker, and
lastly the knighty Kearney.
!'.ae ADVANCE cyiumn and all that
mighty train had now been swallowed in
the nav Of the dreary forest. II swept
onward, onward, fast and furious like an
avalanche. Every hour OF silence be
hind was ominous, but hours were prec
ous to us. Pioneer bands were rushing
dong in front, clearing and repairing
our single road reconnaissance ofii ;ers
were seeking new routes for haven OF
rest and safety. The enemy was in The
rear pressing on with fearful power lie
could press down tllukward TO our front,
cutting of our retreat. Would such be
our fate ? The vanguard had passed
White Oakc bridge and lad risen TO a
line defensive post tlanked by White Oak
swamp. where part Of the train, at least,
could rest. How sadly the feeble ones
needed it, those who having suspected
their friends were about to abandon
them, trusted rather to The strength of
fear to lead them to safety, than 10 he
iate which might await them at lhe
hands Of the foe. But the mach was
orderly rs upon any less urgent day, only
switzerland marvellous too. il seemed,
that such caravans Of wagons, artillery,
horsemen, soldiers, camp followers, and
all, should press through that narrow
road with SO litle confusion.
Two miles beyond the bridge the
column suddenly halted A remor
thrilled along The line A moment more
and the dull boom of cannon and its
eehoing shell fell grimIy upon our ears,
We're we beleaguered ? An hour later,
and there was an ominous roar behind
The enemy was laundering on cur rear.
knew that the moment was painful to
many, but no soldiers hear. seemed TO
shrink from The desperate shock Back
and forth dashed hot riders. M.ssen-
gers here, orders there. composuye and
decision where il should be, with deter
mnation TO wrest triumph from the Jaws
of disaster. As YET everything had pros
pered, and NJ noon brighter ray flash
ed athwart our dreary horizon Ayeril
our dashing {" Ashby had moved
with tho vanguard. met eight companies
OF rebel cavalry charged them. routed
them, pursued them miles beyond our
reach, and returned in triumph with six
ty prisoners and horses.
Our trains had now passed White Oak
Bridge. Such An achievement, in such
order, under the circumstances. might
well be regarded wonderful The re.
treat was most ably conducted. Until
this day Monday the enemy seemed
constantly q have operated upon the sup.
position that our army was intending 10
retire to the Pamunky. They had been
deluded into this belief by the i7th New
York and 18th Massachusetts, regiments.
together with part of the lst, 2d, and 9Th
regular cavalry, which had been sent out
10 Old Church on Thursday morning to
impress the enemy with that notion
(Par parenthesis-thcy arrived SAFELY to
Yorktown, aud are now at Malvern HID
But our true object must now have be.
come apparent. and il was vitality neces-
>ary 10 get the trains through before the
enemy could push columns down the