The National tribune., 1890-07-10
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What0U Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
FREDERICKSBURG.
What Regiment Crossed In the PontOOn Boats
Dec. IN, 1861


What Regiment Crossed In the POntOon Boats
Dec. IN, 1861
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Allow me to
say few words in regard to the crossing at
Fredericksburg, Dec. il, 1862 am disguised
with comrades of different regiments who claim
the honor of crossing the river in pontoOn
boats. and would like TO state few facts in
regard 10 the crossing. In the first place.
Franklin's Corps were three miles down tho
river on the left below Fredericksburg.
Now / would like TO say one word in regard
60 the statement Of SeTg't E. NJ. Latierty, Co.
b, seth n Y, who claims that his regiment
was the first TO cross the river. If Sergt
Lafrerty belonged 10 Franklin's Corps how is
il that he was at Fredericksburg at this time.
when az the same time Franklin's Corps lay
three miles down tho river, and at this time
the 50th y. Y Engineers were laying the pom
toon bridge in front of Fredericksburg2 But
they were driven back by shArpshO0teTs, and
were compelled 70 abandon the bridge before
completion so our troops could not cross until
the bridge was completed. Now, in order 20
do this, Gen. Burnside rode from the left wing
Of Fr8nklin's Corps, calling for volunteers 10
take the remaining boats-l0 in number-that
were required 10 complete the bridge. Bat
no regiment seemed 10 respond 20 his call un-
Gil he reached the pontoon bridge aud our
regiment responded. / will relate here that
Comrade L. J. Davis, Corporal, Battery X, ith
Z. :. Art, is correct ia his statement IN regard
70 the crossing. aud we were supported aud
greatly aided by that battery, who opened =
terrific fire on the rebels. Then our regiment
started down the bank on a run, being loudly
cheered by the surrounding troops. The Tegi-
mot was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Baxter,
who was severely wounded while crossing; then
the 50th NY. Engineers followed on the bridge,
taking the boats that we crossed in and COM
pleted the bridge, aud the 18th Mass. was the
first regiment TO cross on the bridge, followed
b. the Goth Mass, 42d and seth N. Y.
] viii give a few facts, taken from J. T.
Headley's history OF the late war, which / con-
slider reliable. i refer to page I23, Chap. VIII:
" In order 10 drive out the sharpshooters, vol
unteers were called for. To do this the 9TH
Mich. volunteered TO cross over in boats, under
the fire Of the sharpshoOters, and eXpel them
with bayonets in 10 boats containing % or 30
men each They pushed of with a ringing
cheer, and pulling straight into and through
the pattering balls reached the opposite shore.
The 18th and Goth Mass. followed, and the
rebels popping mp like rats from behind walls,
rihe-pits and heaps of rubbish scampered of
through the streets of the city, when three
pontoon bridges were quickly laid and soon
shook 10 the tread Of a mighty host. BY satur-
day morning, tie 18th, the army was across,
including Franklin's Corps down the river"
Now If any comrade doubts this statement /
would refer him TO any comrade of the regi-
ments above named or TO the war records.
This is no guess work, but actual facts. Give
honor 10 whom honor is due"
! would also say, that Elijah Gill, Corporal,
Of Co. q, 18th Me, cOrrobOrates my statement,
and is correct in the main.
We agree with Capt. Thomas Groody, of the
s9th y. y, aud also with Gen. Palfrey, IN his
history OF the battle Of Fredericksburg, on
page I46, with one exception; that is, when he
claims that the 18th and goth Mass. crossed at
the same time IN boats which is wrong; for
this could not have been, from the fact that
there were only ten boats and our regiment,
the 9TH Mich, occupied them all
And / would Furthermore say that there was
no other pontoon bridge laid until after the
50th X. !. Engineers completed the first bridge.
il there was another pOntoOn bridge laid, why
was il necessary for us 70 cross in front of
Fredericksburg, instead OF below, where there
was less danger in crossiHg2 Ii there was
bridge below, il must have been several miles
from Fredericksburg: aud IL Burnside did
know Of any such bridge, why would he not
have ordered his troops to cross there instead
Of At fredericksburg
There are war histories ard records that will
corrOb0rate my statements IN regard 10 these
facts.-WM. J. CHURCH, 20. ID, 7th Mich, Le-
roy, n. Y.