The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-22

dence in my ability to ride him had come back,
at this time 10 stay, and quickly threw the
saddle on him and mounted and was soon in
line.
Brave Mai. Dodge, Of New York, afterwards
rigadier-General, was our commander, and
started us of on a trot for Newport News. The
Merrimac had finished the Congress and Cum
berland, and now turned her attention TO she'll
ing the road that we were travelling on, but
their shells went clear over our heads and into
the woods beyond. We met many of the sail
Ors, who had made their escape by jumping
overheard from their sinking gunbOats. They
were hurrying as fast as they could for Fort
Monroe We soon arrived at Newport News,
and reported to Gen. Mansfield. who was in
command. lie was a noble soldierly-looking
man, tall aud straight as arrow, with hair
as white as snow, and calm, serious expires
sion Of countenance as Of one who realized the
| enOrmity Of the great disaster which had just
befallen the Nation. His great mind no doubt
filled with the thought that the Merrimac, hav-
ing had such an easy victory, would follow il
up next morning by Smelling the fort aud de-
stroying all the shipping around il; and Wade
Hampton and Magruder. with 10000 or $4,000
men at Newmarket, ready 20 cooperate with
the Merrimac and wipe tho few troops at Fort
Monroe aud Newport News out Of existence.
Such i believe were the thoughts Of the
brave and noble Gen. Mansfield who gave up
his life on the bOod-stained battlefield of An
tietam that this glorious Republic should live
one and inseparable twenty-five OF US were
sent 10 the edge of the bank 10 act as sharp
shooters. The Merrimac lay just below rs, but
pOWerless 10 injure any OF us, rs she was Obliged
10 elevate her guns so that her shot went over
our heads; and it was impossible for us TO do
them any injury, they were so thoroughly en-
cased In iron. Soon we had the satisfaction Of
seeing her move back TO Norfolk The Min
b,t ,rnI
tOwed off next morning during the engage
ment between the Monitor and Merimac.
IL has always been a mystery TO mo why the
Merrimac was so morciful as not 20 have de-
stroyed her before she returned to Norfolk. /
saw two sailors that night that had been saved
from the burning Congress. They were raving
maniacs, and their screams were heartrending.
assisted in tying one Of them, and it took five
Of us TO do il.
Early next morning we were ordered 10 fall
IN 10 return TO camp. As VIC stood in line
waiting for orders 10 move, the band struck up
ITS eniivcning strains, and my big gray reared
up on his hind feet, stood there a second taking
a view Of the situation, and then fell over
backwards. j had taken Kilpatrick's advice,
and learned 10 keep on my horse He was not
a horse 10 stay down long, for he was up again
as quick as no had struck the ground, and /
was with him, firmly braced in the saddle, but
unfortunately he had got the curb. bit in his
teeth and was unmanageable. / had no fear
for myself. but there were so many troops
around me that thought nothing short Of q
miracle could prevent some one from getting
hurt. As be dashed along the road leading to
the camp, the Goth n. Y. German regiment)
stood in line at parade rest. Col. Max Webber,
who commanded the regiment, sat upon his
horse in the middle Of the road. He yelled al
the top of his voice, Hold up there, my man !"
and yelled as loud as | could for him 20 ret
out Of the road or / would go through him.
So thinking that discretion was the better part
Of valor, he moved TO one side just in time TO
prevent a collision.
The road was now clear, and If mistake
not IL was about IL miles 20 camp. i made up
my mind that this would be my last ride on
that gray horse, aud resolved TO have salts
faction for my injured feelings. i had a pair
Of Mexican spurs on, with rowels as large as a
silver dollar, and at every jump he gave gave
him dig with those spurs and kept it up un-
I'll j ran him against the side of the stables. /
dismOunted and found that the curb-bit had
broken bis jaw. He lived three days without
eating. and then was led out and shot. So
ended one Of the worst horses / ever had any
experience with during my three years service
in the cavalry.-THoMAs Ransom, Orderly-Ser-
Rcant Troop A, LIST n. Y Mounted Rifles, 9TH
n. Y. Cav, Pluckemin, n. J.