Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-07-28
WITH POPE'S ARMY
HOW A MICHIGAN CAyALRYMAN TOOK
LAST GLIMPSE OF EARTH.

now A MICHIGAN CAyALRYMAN TOOK
LAST GLIMPSE OF EARTH.
White Pope's army was crossing the
ford at Rapanhanno Station, the 1st
Mich Cav was sent down the river
about TWO miles To guard another ford,
At which We remained until late in the
afternoon, and unit our army had all
crossed over Then we rode back to
the station aud found that 1t was en-
urely deserted Where we had 5, zen
thousands of men, horses wagons, ann
balances, artillery and every thing that
goes To make up a large army only
few hours ago, now not a vestage re-
manned except an immense pile OF
shelled corn in sacks at The railroad
station, which had been set on tire, and
was now hcrcey burning There we're
parts Of he pile which had notyet iguit-
ed. and as soon Is Col Broadhead took
in the situation he set q squad Of men
at work pulling out The sacks not Yet
reached 10y the fire There was about
three bushels in each sack, and every
tenth man took sack on his saddle
bow in front OF him. which was TO be
divided when we reached camp for the
night, which was supposed would be
only mile or two ahead.
Our road led up along the river bot
tom On our right rose bluff not so
very high. hut too steep for horses 10
climb There was also fence on that
side. We were some little time getting
our cargo aboard, and as fast as one
company was loaded they would move
up the road AVID wait for the next, and
so on. At last we were all fitted out
and in motion. The road wound
along the river bank, which made
wide curve Just at this point My com
pany OBJ was the third from tie frort,
and by turning in my saddle | could
see the other nine companies winding
along the curve behind US and across
the bow. How odd they all looked
with huge sack OF corn at regular
intervals clear along the whole line,
and how contented aud comfortable we
all felt; for our haversacks had been
wen filled that morning with grub for
ourselves, and our horses would be pro-
vided with abundant grain for their
suppers. The afternoon was neither
too hot nor too cool: the sky overhead
was blue; not cloud in sight; the trees
over across the river made a nice shade
for us, as the sun was low The uni
forms Of the boys looked clean aud
as there was abou; a thousand of u,
we telt strong in our own might, and
was feeling very compliment thinking
that although war service was some
times unpleasant, just now it was moer
like picnic. and bore rather an agree
able character than otherwise.
OF such were the tenor ofmy thoughts
when they were suddenly dispelied by
seeing the leading company break into
the utmost confusion, part of the men
and horses going down in the road,
and q huge gap appearing, which
looked rs if half the company had beep
wiped out at one slap At the same
instant a huge pull OF white smoke was
blown nearly across the creek by the
rebel battery on the other side, that
had been quietly waiting 10 ambush for
us to come along, and had got the drop
on us without our dreaming of their
presence.
Good gracious What a scrape we
are in, thinks l. That's right, boz 5,
push ahesd, was the comment | made,
rs saw the leading company canteI
along the ruat Ha IA look at The
boys with the sacks Nearly every
one out with his knife. cut the ends, tor
II he can carry feed for bis nine com
radeS. he can save feed tor ms OWL
horse: but il is terribly awkward hang
ing on 70 il while the balance runs out
In a moment tho road is yellow viii
loose com | presume il was pretty
well mecadamizsd withit by the tim,
the rear cot by
In the meantime We were rushn!
along, anxious TO get past the batter
before they could load up and ban!
away ut us again. took ~ the dis
lance with my eve. and was Just con
graduating myself on the fact that
was altogether probable hat our con
pany would Get by before the next dis
char ge-but God help the poor follow
behind. The attack had occurredSo sui
denly. and there was so much 10 oC
cupv my attention, that hadn't tim
70 get Hurried. and would have con
through the scrape comparatively N
rptlled. il Just at that moment hadn
seen the head of the column sop al
turn their horses across the road. con
pleley blocking il up and briuglu
every thing behind i, 10 a standsu|
Good God. thinks |. what do these ft
lows mean by blocking mp the TO;
ahead there; for bN the time we jam !
against them we viii Sc right in fro
of those cannon.
Sure enough, when MY hCrse fetch
ND against the oae befue Him, and
,.Ittij ,rp ~ t4lrthef / }Cobep d across I