Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-11-28
An Interesting Incident of the
War.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. I3 l866


EDITOR W. R. CHRoNIcLE:-The fol-
lowing incident of the 1car" will doubt
ful interest many of the old soldiers
who were with Fremont in the 'Shenan-
dOah Valley While at Burning Springs
West Va. last month, l met a very
| intelligent German, who had belonged
10 the excellent German Ohio Bat
terry" with McDowePs command, on the
opposite side of the river, and in the
Luray Valley. This young man en-
lightened me on point that we were
never fully satisfied about at the time.
That was why the sport Republic Jridqs'.
t0as not burned, as it should have been,
20 as to prevent the escape of Jackson
The battery was commanded by
very high spirited and patriotic Ger.
man Captain, whose name, l regret, /
canno. recall, and he was under Gen
Tyler, whOswas sent up the river to
Port Republic" opposite Harrison
burg, to burn the bridge there and pre-
vent the crossing Of Jackson's force
that Gen. Fremont was pressing hard
At that time every soldier in the rank
well understood the situation of the
force in the valley opposite, and knew
too that Gen. Fremont expected the
bridge would surely be DESTROYED ms
king the destruction or capture of
Jackson's force certain, as the river
was too high to ford, and there was no
other chance to cross except by that
bridge. Fremont had remarked re-
peatediy that Jackson could not posi-.
bly, escape. The German battery ano
Col Carols Ohio brigade, were first on
the ground at the bridge, and the Ger.
man Captain set the bridge on fire.
when Jackson approached, supposinp
that to be the order-but Gen. Tvler |
ordered the fire put out, to the utter
astonishment of every soldier, every
one of whom had sense enough to know
that it would be utterly impossible ta
defend 1t against such heavy force |
with one battery and one brigade o
lnfantry-amidst the excitement the
bridge was again fired, but Tyler again
ordered it tinguished-eursing loud
ly the German Captain, and declaring
that Mcdowell had ordered the bridge
saved, so that if Jackson succeeded in
crossing. Gen. Fremont could cross In
pursuit. High words ensued-the off
GERS and men boldly declaring that n.
Gen, unless traitor or fool, would
give such an order. But the bridge
was not burnt-our boys undertook 10
defend 1t against ten times their force
and never did men fight more bravely
Or earnestly, sweeping down with terri
BILE slaughter the Rebels, as they came
massed onto the bridge, filing their
guns with grape and shrapnell 1t short
range, fercely defending their pieces
hand to hand with sabre and bayonet ,
until more than half their number had r
allen. The fearfully bloody and une-
lual contest ended-Jackson crossed
md OF course at once burnt the bridge
md passed on toward Richmond tnI
nd Lee. Our forces arrived lust in r
ime to see the bridEe in flames. De-
Iond being saved. Fremonb at once
material gathered to make a
'rldge, and before the next morning /
lad 1t nearly ready to cross, when he .
vas ordered to fall back towards Straus-
'urg, and jackson was, allowed to go
N TO Richmond unmolested, arriving g
mere just in the right time to hit !
Mcclellan fated blow on his right
lank, saving Lee and Richmond
the whole tide and current
# the war. All of which was
,rought about by McDoweIs ordering
hat bridge saved, so that Fremont
ould cross after Jackson-as if Jack {
on would leave that means for an enc =
ly to pursue him. y
The grand design was to iDjure Ere
lont by allowing Jackson to get away,
5 Mcdowell well knew he could not, =
Mess means of escape were left HIM. =
ne movement was so near treason thai >
e thought at the time, and do still, a
lat General guilty of such conduet :, -
as a hit subject for the court martial, = :
nd bullets of t'0slvs men, armed with =
Iuskets. u
This instance of foul tFeaehery of one "
eneral towards another, frausht, "a it Y
as, with so much moment to the q
'untry at the time, should be remem 81
red by every lover of the Govern 81
ent and hater Of Treason.
Very Respectfully, %
E.O. B. 3