St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-10-08
ST. CLOUD STEARNS CO.. MINNESOTA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER
THE FIGHT ON THE BRIDGE

THE FIGHT ON THE BRIDGE
sTbey are cutting in on the left. Stay
BY tho bridge till the rear guard comes" "
This was the message delivered to Maj.
Hcyne by young staff officer, who gal
lopcd off as soon as the words we're COM
pretended" "'.r
The major who had already ordered his
guns limbered, countermanded the order,
and: prepared to contest the possession Of
the bridge with the enemy, who began to
appear at. some dista6ce on the swampy
bank Of the Chickahotnihy, slowly defiling
around to the lett, in order 10 intercept
the passage Of the rear-guard.
10 few minutes everything was in
readiness to receive the foremost of the
Confederate column, and as it advanced
a terrific shower Of. grape and canister
went whirling through the woods
Tue front rank recoiled, but the awful
gaps made in them by these iron hail
stones closed up in an instant, and the
column once more advanced, increasing
itsspeed.
The second section of Major Keynes
battery then spoke; and, this time, the
foe was so near that the destruction was
really fatal. The ranks broke, and disor-
der persailed for some minutes. When
the smoke lifted, the column had retired
from sight, leaving horrible field sown
broadcast with corpses.
4.',Ve can't hold this LONG, said the ma
jor to a captain. 'They are IN force ;
and, if they have cavalry, they'll get six
as pretty field guns as there are in the ar.
my. l wish that rear guard would hur-
ry"
Once more the enemy appeared, charg-
ins at rapid trot, and Major Heyne per-
miited them to approach still closer, with
a view to making the havoc more sweep
ing, even, than before.
AT the proper monei1t the order was
given and three of the guns burst forth
withering welcome Men went down
like. harvest grain, and those who follow
ed actually tripped and fell over the piles
Of dead before them
zIIalting a moment, the Southerucrs
the section 81 tic 6attsr rttsts iH Jpsp
ed. It was close fighting and they almost
picked their inen. The idea undoubtedly
was to prevent the second section from
practiEe, and to capture both with a bay
onet charge.
But, though u,ah5 brate and stout
Gunner fell dead at his post the manocu-
vre was expected. Fur every man that
fell, another stepped forward in his and
the three remaining charges went roaring
into the Southern ranks with deadly ef;
feet.
"Once more, as they fall back" said
the major, and while yet the enemy hest
tated, the first section spoke again.
At FIRST Major Heyue supposed that he
had dispersed and routed the whole op-
posing force, or it had divided into two
halves, and spread out into the woods be-
hind.
"Hcre they Gomez cried the captain
Those are Louisiana cavalry, and they al
ways fight like the devil.
"My poor little battery" murmured
the Major.
There was no time to be lost. While
the cavalry was forming for a charge, be-
hind the Infantry, the battery sent vol
ley or two of shell among them, that dis
concerted them extremely. Six vel
served guns, at short range, are ugly Gus
toners to face, especially when the cas'
is desperate one.
Finally, however, the Infantry partee
in the centre, and the horscmen CAM
through in good order. The musketr!
had to cease, as the charge was in lin
between the two forces, and the cavalr.
came down at a swinging trot, quite un
protected.
Grape first, from two guns, emptied
! few saddles, and disordered the compact
ness of the line. At Eve rods nearev, tw
more guns were brough ght in practice; an
then, by speedy reloading, the first tS
Joined the last iu a round Of cahlstet:
The cavalry we're plucky enough bu
they lost their principal officers by the az
curate and sweeping cannonale, and te
into confusion. The line broke; and TO
moment trembled between advance an
retreat. The infantry behind, howeve
followed in two lines at double quick, an
pressed the horsemen forward. But thl
hesitation had given time for the batter
to reload. The whole six pieces wel
served, and many rough rider went hee'
over head over his horse, creating sa
havoc among the foot soldiers, who crowt
ed up too closely in the rear.
The commander of the ttacking torce
seeing that tho battery, served as 1t va
by able gunnefs; was too much tor hin
withdrew his men once more to the rc'
Of the woods, and directed a company {
sharpshooters to pick of the men N n at tn
gaps. By thinning them out SO that l9a< =
= ing would be slow work, he knew that
dashing Charge could easily result in th
capture Of gus, horses and artiller'sts:
J: This was the severest trial yet for Ma
t Heyne and the little band who had stoo
fso gauantls to their metal.