The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-06-05
HUMOR IN CAMP AND FIELD.
Some Anecdotes of Soldiers In the North
ern Armies During the War.
By General James s. Brisbin, in Philadelphia
Times

Some Anecdotes of Soldiers In the North
ern Armies During the War.
By General James s. Brisbin, in Philadelphia
Times.
In the war days Grapevine Bridge"
became historical in the Peninsular
campaign. Its name originated as fol-
lows: Whilst Summers Division was
encamped on Taylor's farm a detail
was made to construct bridge across
the Chickahominy at a convenient
distance from the camp. The First
Minnesota and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania
did most of the work. After the bridge
was finished private soldier suggested
that it was not safe. When asked his rea-
son for being of that opinion he stated
in case of a food the Cross piece
would be carried away by the waters. He
advised that the cross-ties should be
fastened to the string pieces, which
would preserve the bridge intact If a
food should come on suddenly, as was
likely from the nature of the surround
ing country. But how tie them? There
were no ropes to be had, but he at once
solved the difficulty by pointing to the
grapevines which grew in great abund-
ance all around on the trees along the
river banks. They were used as he
suggested, and mark the result.
One night m 1862 it rained in torrents
all the night through and continued till
late in the morning. The river rose
rapidly, flooded its banks and swept all
before it. At noon the opening fire of
the enemy indicated his quick appre-
citation of the dangerous position OF
Casey's and Keyes' troops, which had
crossed the Chickahominy and which
were apparently cut off from the main
army Sumner instantly put his troops
in motion and sought the bridge. Not
vestige of it was to be seen. The
water covered it to the depth of two
feet. The General called for the officer
who commanded the pioneer corps that
had built the bridge.
ssWhat has become of the bridge you
were ordered to build hereabouts ?"
asked the General.
"It is there, General" he said, point
ing between two trees that had been
marked to indicate the location.
.'Well, sir, let me see you cross it.,
then"
The officer put spurs to his horse and
riding down the bank crossed slowly
over, feeling his way. The passage was
made in safety amid the shouts of those
on shore. The infantry, cavalry and
artillery followed and the battle of Fair
Oaks was won. The grapevines had
held the bridge in place and ever after
wards it was known in the army of the
Potomac as the Grapevine Bridge"
A very bitter Southern woman, MOTTO
ing the large loose and ill-fitting trousers
which our soldiers wore during the carl
| Ter part of the war, asked asoldier:
"What do you critters wear such loose
pants for?"
II assure you, madam, said the prac-
teal Joker, "that when we left home it
was as much as we could do to get our
| pants on and they we're really too tight
| for us, but your climate down here has
not agreed with us and we have thin
ned down until now our pants are q
trifle too large, as you see."
well" said she, "I'v hearn tell OF
poor Yankees, but I'll be dog-goned il
you uns don't get back home petty soon
you'll turn into fy-up-the-creeks"
y
For the protection of Savannah the
Confederates planned number of bat
teries along the Little Ogeeche river,
Big Ogeeche being protected by the for
midable McAlister required but little
protection on that side. Our sailors in
connection with Watching for blockade
runners kept an anxious eye upon the
batteries and determined to give the
nearest one . hazing ct the first oppor-
tunity when things were considered fav-
orable for such . feat. Occasionally .
boat would run IN, Are few eleven
inch shells to keep the Johnnies from
rusting and then was generally glad to
! get out again. An unusual quietnesa
seemed to creep over one particular bat
terry; still the sailors could see with
glasses what they supposed to be gar
rison and their numbers seemed to be
considerable. The beacon lights were
lighted with great regularity, which