The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-30
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
ANTIETAM BRIDGE.
The Gallant Services Q, the Connecticut Brig

The Gallant Services OF the Connecticut Brigade.
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune j have felt AS
much surprise as Comrade Williams, eth Conn,
tha, the action Of the Connecticut Brigade IA
taking Autietam Bridge has been Ignored.
The brigade was commanded by Gen. Edward
Hnflnud of Norwich, Conn. and WAS composed
OF the nth. sth and 10th Conn. and ATM *, l.
four as good regiments rs ever trod the Held OF
hattie. After Gen. Mcclellan had made hls
effort on the right, Gen Burnside delegated
Con Earland 10 open the bail on the LETT by
storpliug the stone Bridge. With this object
iu view, the nth Conn, which think al THIS
time numbered zoo men, commanded by Col.
Kingsbury. led the van Of the brigade. Soon
after the regiment began marching the Colonel
detached Co A, Capt. Griswoid, TO do duty on
the left flank of the regiment as sklrmlslers
The impetaous Captain led has men quickly
forward, and soon engaged the enemys Skin
lnishers on the opposite side OF the creek. The
Canaan plunged into the str, am, calling on his
men 10 follow him. which they did. Our skir-
mishers had barely reached the opposite side
wher the gallant Grisw0ld fell mortality wound
ed I clam that the men Of Co. A, llth CONF,
were the FIRST Union troops TO pass over the
stream.
The llth regiment quickly came into action
on high ground directly in front of The bridge.
! think my comrades viii agree with me that
foT two consecutive hours we were subjected TO
the hottest iire we ever received. The other
regiments of the brigade came into action on
our left in a less exposed position. Before go
ing into action 90 rounds OF cartridges were
given TO each enlisted man OF the regiment.
Many OF MS
FIRED EVERY RoUED
and were obliged 20 take the ammunition from
our dead comrades. The gallant Col. Kings
bury, of our regiment, was killed at the com
mencemcnt of the action. He was loved and
adorcd by every member OF his command. lie
WAS our beau ideal of a soldier We held our
position until We saw the enemy hastily re-
treating from the bridge. Lieut. Col stead
man, now in command, was preparing 10 cross
with cur rcgiment when he was ordered by
his superior officer TO fall back under The bill,
ms the regiment had lost heavily and we had
but little ammunition. At this moment, Wiih
but li.tlc opposition the 5lst Pa went over the
bridge, FOR the 18th Conn. had made it possible
for them 10 cross.
I'm the afternoon our ammunition was repen-
ished. aud about o'clock we were ordered 10
Join our brigade on the field Of battle on the
opposite side of the stream. We crossed the
bridge and We're misled by a treachcrOus guide
into tight place, isolated from the rest of the
command, and came very near being taken
prisoners BY the GOODNESS aud sagaciiy OF our
regimontal commander we were led out oil the
trap Licut.-Col Steadman was here severely
wounded and left the field. Capt. Charles
Hosford, of Co. ID, now assumed command OF
the regiment.
We were marched in another direction to
fEd our brigade, when Maj. Lyon, of Gen.
Harland's staff, rode up with the information
that one OF our batteries OF three guns, situated
on an eminenoe was in great danger Of being
captured. We were ordered TO support the
battery. Our Color Sergeant, carrying the
Stars and Stripes, was at this moment killed
Providence always furnishes a man for the oc-
oasion. In an instant a soldier by the name OF
Eastman bore the colors aloft
DASHED A FEW PAGES
20 the front toward the battery, and the whole
regiment followed after the flag in quick time
as il inspired. The battery was reached, and
VIC bcheld a whole brigade Of the enemy
marching toward us. Our color bearers waved
their coors defantly, and we gave them
volley. They halted and soon slowly retreated
They were deceived as to our numbers, think.
ing larger body of troops than we really
were.
We held the battery until reinforcement
came up aud achieved US We then by Order
retired and recr0sSed the bridge mere hand
ful OF men, one Of our glorious coors torn "a
tatters by rebel bullets. iii my memory serves
me right the 18th Conn. lost nearly half il,
number I'm killed, wounded aud missing on that
18th day OF September. j have forgotten tho
name OF the battery we saved. Will some O
my comrades please INFORM usf Inc olhel
regiments of the brigade acted gloriously on
the cnsauguned field. IL has been conceded
by high authority that the Connecticut Bri
Fade led the way and bore the brunt Of tht
tight at Antictam Bridge on that memorable
day. Dear comrades OF the nth, we are al
fast marching to the great encampment bcyon,
the river. We shall all soon be there. Belor
we pass over let US with Gods favor, cree
suitable monument where we stood in from
Of Antietam Bridge ms a memorial 10 our dca
conIades who laid down their lives for a right
Conn.