The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-09-08

entering his mouth; and thus ended the life
and heroic, gallant career of as genial. high
| toned elegant and brave an officer as ever
| drew a sword in the Army of the Potomac.
| The lines pressed forward and came up with
the rebels at Farmville.
Gen. Hum phrcys recognized the Importance
of the work, and freely gave the credit where
| it belonged. There is work entitled the
Blue aud Gray" which, in describing this
battle, says, in conclusion. as to the Importance
of this carriage bridge over the Appomattox
River: This enabled Gen. Humphreys Corps
to cross to the north bank without delay, and
he continued the pursuit with such vigor as to
compel a halt of the Confederate forces upon
Farmville Hights. few miles above, and thus
detained the Confederates until darkness set
in. This was loss of valuable time to the
Confederates, occasioning the loss of their sup
plies at Appomattox Station, and enabled the
Union troops to reach Appomattox Courthouse
in advance of them on the morning of the 9th
of April 1865"
Gen. A. A. Humphreys commander of the
Second Corps, is quoted by Gen. L. a. Wal
ker's History of the Second Corps" as fol-
lows: Humphreys having resumed the pur-
suit at $50 on the morning of the 9Th, and
moving by the road nearest the river came up
to High Bridge inst at the moment when Cor
don's Corps and Mahones Division. having
crossed by the railroad and wagon road bridges,
had blown up the redouht that formed the
bridgehead, and were setting fire to both
bridges. Barlow, whose division had the ad
vance, with the utmost pr0nptness pushed Tor
ward the head of his column and drove away
those of the enemy who were engaged in the
destruction of the wagon-road bridge. Sur
priSed at this interruption OF their work, the
Confederate commander sent back reinforce
ments; but Barlow had now arrived upon the
ground with troops enough to seize and hold
the bridge against ali interference, and thus
the wagon road bridge was saved by the ar
rival and prompt action of Barlow.
The enemy's purpose of destroying the
bridges having been thus foiled, Barlow's Di-
vision commenced to move over the wagon
road bridge. Mahene's Division, drawn up on
the opposite bank, resting upon the redoubts,
seemed prepared to dispute the crossing, but
soon moved away toward FaTmville, and the
Second Corps passed over without opposition"
Col. Starbird, with the 18th Me-, saved that
wagon-road bridge, so that the Second Corps
could pass over.
Gen. Humphreys, again quoted by Walker,
says:
But for the promptitude and energy of
Gen. Barlow and his command the wagon road
bridge could not have been saved, and the
Second Corps would have been compelled, like
the troops of Ord and Wright, to remain help
itSc OH buS Suutu Ddbh, Nb9tS I@tE was
gaining distance on its way to Lynchburg. II
no infantry had crossed the Appomattox on
the 9TH, he Gen. Lee would have reached
New Store that night, Appomattox Station on
the afternoon of the Sth, obtained rations
there, and moved that evening toward Lynch
burg.
by the detention az Farmville, on the other
hand, Gen. Lee lost time, which he could not
regain by night marches failed TO obtain the
{ oaad Iiac Il i'm OF tpn
mattox Station, and gave Sheridan and Ord
time to put themselves across his path at APP
pomattox Courthouse"
The First Brigade of the Second Division,
Second Corps, under Col. William A. Olmsted,
seth n. Y. was the advance of Barlow's Di-
vision of the Second Corps, and the 18th Me-,
under Col ]. w. Starbird. was in the advance
of this brigade to which it belonged. and saved
the bridge and is entitled TO all the credit aud
glory for so doing; no other troops were there
to aid them, and they are further to be credit
ed for their pluck and good staying qualities
for saving the little wagon-road bridge.
Col. /. ". Starbird, of the 18th Me-, was, on
the recommendation Of Col. William A. Dim.
sted 59th n. Y, commandant of the Firs.
Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, brc-
vetted a Brigadier-General for gallant aud
conspicuous conduct in saving the crossing at
High Bridge Va
So you see il was TO Col. starbird and his
gallant 18th Me-, of the First Brigade fOm-
stedsl, Second Division (Barlow's), Second
Corps tHumphreys's), who saved this bridge,
and they are entitled to the honor; and if it
had not been so promptly and effectively done,
Gen. Lee might not have surrendered so soon
as he did, and reached Lynchburg, and gave
us lots more hard work. and continued the
fight. 1t is not the purpose of the writer to
detraet one jot or little from the credit of any
gallant soldier who was at the fight, and my
purpose is honestly taken to give the credit
only where it belongs-and that is to my dear
old friend, DIR. now, then Col L w. Starbird,
and his regiment, the 18th Ne.