The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-06-13
HUMoR m CAMP AND FIELD.

Some Anecdotes of Soldiers IN the North
i ern Armies During the War
By General James S. Brisbin, in PMladeiphla
Times.
In the war days "Grapeyine Bridge
became historical in the Penlnsulaf
campaign. Its name originated as fol-
lows: Whilst Summers Division was
! encamped on Taylor's farm q detail
was made to construct q 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 a private soldier suggested
thatit was not safe. When asked his rea-
son for being o fthat opinion he stated
in case of q flood the Cross piece
would be carried away by the waters. He
advised that the cross-ties should De
fastened to the string-pieces, which
would preserve the bridge intact II q
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 in 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
We're apparently cut off from the main
army. Sumnerinstantly put his troops
in motion and sought the bridge. Not
o 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.
What has become of the bridge you
were ordered to build hereabouts?'
asked the General.
at 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,
them"
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 ofthose
on shore. The infantry, cavalry and
artillery followed and the battle of FAIR
Oaks was won. The grapevines had
held the bridge III place and ever after
wards it was known in the army of the
Potomac as the ''Grapeyine Bridge"
A very bitter Southern woman, MOTTO
ing the large loose and ill-titting trousers
which our soldiers wore during the carl
ier part of the war. asked asoldier:
"What do you critters wearsuch 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 YOU climate down here has
not agreed with us and we have thin
ned down until now Il pants are a
trltle too large, rs you see"
"Well," said she, "Iv hearn tell of
poor Yankees, but I'll be dog-goned if
you uns don't get back home petty soon
you'll turn into fy-up-the-creeks!"
For the protection of Savannah the
Confederates planned a 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 a hazing at the first oppor-
tunitv when things were considered fav-
orable for such a. feat. Occasionally q
boat would run in, fire a few eleven
inch shells to keep the Johnnies from
rusting and then was generally glad to
get out again. An unusual quietness
seemed to creep over n particular bat
terry; still the sailors could see with
glasses what they supposed to be q gar
rison II their numbers seemed to be
considerable. The beacon lights were
lighted with great regularity, which
was considered good evidence that the
works were still occupied.
One of our naval captains, who was
known far and wide as a man of pluck
and fighting abilities, being senior of
ticcr Of Il little fleet, determined tc
capture the battery. Organizing an as
saulting party, he gave the details grea,
attention. If successful this venture
would enable the vessel to run in sew.
cral miles nearer land into smoother
water, avoiding the terrible shaking M
the vessels were getting from their out
side station. The storming party was
composed entirely of sailors, who were
to attack the garrison in the fort in a
~hand-to-hand fight with revolvers and
cutlasses. The preparations were be-
gun by fitting out the launches and
cutters with the essentials required
upon boats for such an expedition,
mufied oars, etc. Preparations com
pleted, the boats were filled with de-
termined crews, who knew the work in
hand and were prepared to do it or die
IN the attempt. Great caution was OBJ
served and the men were now nearing
the fort. The guns could be seen in
position and the muzzles frowning down
upon them. The object of the expedi-
ton could not be kept from the enemy
much longer, and every moment it was
expected those guns would belcb forth
fire and death into their very midst.
Many a poor fellow said his PRAYERS as
he grasped his revolver and cutlass, re-
solved to sell his life as dearly as posi-
BILE.
The fort was now reached and crawl
ing up the sides the men peered over and
saw what they thought was the whole
garrison asleep. A fire was burning
and the sickly reflection from it's FADING
ilSht was cast over scores of sleeping
terms. The assault would be a com.
plete surprise. The captain was lust
about to give the order to charge when
he fell into the fort. In a moment n