Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-08-21

Federal transports on the river, from whicha
dense black smoke arose. We were now in
sight of Tupstall's railway crossing
where heavy picket was stationed. This
was charged at once, and retreated rapidly,
the officer in command falling into the hands
of the Confederates. He had. Just filed a
hideous-looking wooden pipe, and was about
to light it, when Confederate politely re-
quested him to surrender it.
II want to smoke" growled the Federal
captain, greatly disguised, apparently, at his
capture;
"My pipe is my own property
"Oh, what mistake! r responded the 9th
er, reaching from the saddle and taking the
pipe, which he placed between his own lips.
The railway crossing was now in Stuart's
possession, and, under the quick blows Of the
axes, the telegraph poles were soon- sashing
down. An attempt was also made to burn 81
small bridge near by, but the timbers were
too damp. In the midst Of all this scene OF
bustle, shrill whistle was heard from the di-
rection of the Chickahominy !; a railway train
was evidently approaching, andit was soon
seen coming around q wooded bend. & a loud
order to halt was given, but the train did not
stop. On the contrary, steam was crowded
on, and it shot by in the midst Of 9 fusilade,
which, it is said, wounded some Of the troops
on the train and killed the engineer. In q
moment it disappeared, and, getting his men
into column again, Stuart pushed on toward
the village Of Talleysvlle, directly in the
Federal rear. He afterward told me that the
temptation to attack. and destroy the great
depot of stores at the White House was al
most irresistible, but the risk was too great
and, looking at the situation afterward, with
full information of the state of affairs, it was
obvious that this movement must have re-
suited in his capture or destruction. He right
" determined to move without delay in the
direction Of the lower fords Of Chickahomi.
ny, and did 30 just as night was coming
having first burned q huge wagon camp in
field near. They were loaded with grain,
coffee and other stores, all of which we're
burned.
The column moved little past midnight
from 'Talleysrlle, and at daylight came in
sight of Chickahominy, near Forge Bridge.
There sudden halt took place. The bridge
was destroyed, and itwas soon found that the
fords were entirely impossible. The whole
command was apparently caught in trap,
from which there seemed no possibility Of es-
Gaping. The presence Of Stuart was perfect.
ly well known now to Gen. Mcclellan; to
discover bis whereabouts it was only necessa-
ry in fact to follow the steps Of his fifteen
hundred horsemen over the sandy highway,
and there could be very little doubt that in q
few hours, at most, the Federal infantry, cav.
airy and artillery would be upon him and
make short work Of him. As to passing the
river it seemed wholly impossible. Col. Lee
rode into the stream, but his horse was swept
down and nearly drowned. He had just come
back, when Joined him and said:
"aWhat do you think of the situation, colo
mel 2" - ,. -
s"Well, captain" he replied, coolly, Il think
we are caught" Fix (.
And that they were caught was, ! am pref
ty certain, the impression of the whole COM
mand. The men were sitting or lying on the
ground beside their horses, and the bravest
looked "blue." When I laughed and told
the men not to lose heart, as all "would be
right" they gazed at me with stare, which
clearly showed me that they regarded me as
lunatic. My expectation of getting off safe
ly was based on the conviction that a mount
ed man can always swim his horse across a
stream of the width of the Chickahominy at
that point, and my confidence, too, in Stuart's
resources. My chief uneasiness was about
the artillery, but I believed that by hitching
eight horses to each gun and forcing them
across-even if they had to drown-the pieces
could be dragged through in some way, and |
said as much to Stuart
Certainly, certainlyl' he exclaimed, twist
ing his long beard, as he always did at critl-
cal moments. He soon after hurried off toa
point lower down, and found the men work
ing there like beavers to construct a bridge.
One had formerly stood there, but had been
destroyed, the abutments only remaining. AS
the gap to be spanned was not great, however,
Stuart resolved to bridge it, and the men hast
ened to tear down barn near by, and bring
the timber on their shoulders. A little skiff
was then foated to the middle of the stream
between the abutments, where it was held by
rope in the bow tied to tree trunk above,
and the men standing in the boat raised the
ends of the timbers as they were lowered and
pushed them on the opposite abutment. In
this work Stuart assisted with his own hands,
SCaUQlug Ill Guo UUdG duu oliSluSs on ooon 90
the timbers were laid across, planks were put
upon them, and the artillery and cavalry de-
fled over safely. Stuart followed last, the
bridge was torn up and the column moved
on-they were out Of the trap. 1t was close
Craze. AS they disappeared in the foliage Of
the morass shots, from the opposite banks
were heard, and COL Rush came down with
his "Lancers" in full array. The game had
escaped and COL Rush was forced to return
without his prize When asked, on his way
back, by lady, if he had Caught Stuart"
his reply was, the lady informed me:
"No, madam. He has gone in at the back
door, I only saw his rear guard as it passed
the swamp"
Such is brief account of the famous "ride
around Mcclellan" But for want ofspaceI
might add number of incidents-how Fed
eral prisoners, as they rolled from their stumb.
ling mules in mud.hole after mud.hole of the
swamp exclaimed "How many Chicken.hom.
inies are there in this internal country :" how
we were feasted by the hospitable gentlemen
of Charles City; and how Stuart, sparing
neither himself or horsefesh, rode all night to
reach Richmond and make his report to the
President that the Federal right flank was un-
defended-a ride in which, looking back now,
can see that I committed an error in not ac-
cepting his invitation to accompany him. '