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

4
commanding the Second Corps, to accompany
him to the assistance of Gen. Miles, COM
mapdinc the First Division of the Second
CoyFs. The movement commenced, ana at
nr near Sutherland Station, on the S0uthslde
Rsilroad. we came up with the lines of Gen.
Mites. Having carried out the instructions
given. was ordered by Gen. Humphreys to
yeio5p the Second Division, which L did, and
biypuacked on the Cox road near Boydton
plank road.
The lines next day moved forward at
early morn and continued success met cur
every movement until, on the afternoon OF
fhe 9th OF April. at Sailors Creek, stand
~as made by the Coniederates, which was
repnlsed. and they We're driven on toward
FErmville. losing heavily in men, supplies
and munitions Of war.
on the morning of the 9TH of April the
Second and Third Brigades were ordered on
she march. and the First Brigade OF The
Second Division was, for some reason
never known to me. held in position near
fhe healquarters of Gen. William Hays,
ccmmanding the Second Division. Shortly
Bffer the departure of the Second ana Third
Bricades of the Second Division, Mai.-Gen.
+. c. Barlow rode TO my headquarters and
xRnted to know why l had not moved out.
! told him had not been ordered to do so.
He inquired where Gen. Haysis headquarters
were. and pointed them out to him, and
on his invitation rode with him to Gen.
Hays, where he Gen. Barlow announced
his succession TO the command of the Sec
ond Division, Second Corps. He then rode
down with me, placing me in position to
move down a road 1000 yards. and then to
change direction and move through woods
primeval due west, and to take my course
by compass Arriving at The position indi-
Gated I changed direction westward and
moved through this piece of woods, and L
verify believe no one ever before marched or
went through them. Finally, we came out
in an open country, and in our front, about
one mile distant. saw a fort, line of works,
and rebel train moving. Knowing we
were close upon the heels of Lees army,
and receiving information from deserting
Confederates that the troops were Lees
rear-guard, and that the line of works was
the last stand made by Lee to cover the
crossing of his army, and that there was a
foot-bridge, over which Lees army had
crossed. and that it was the intention of the
Confederates to fire this bridge and an ele-
giant railroad bridge a short distance apart,
/ ordered Col Isaac ". Starbird, with his
regiment. the 18th Me-, to capture the first
line OF earthworks and secure the bridge at
all hazards The wagon-road bridge re-
ferred to was reported by prisoners TO me
TO be the only crossing available for long
distance. Appreciating this / detailed Col.
Starbird for this important task. There
were no other Union troops in sight at this
time Col Starbird advanced rapidly with
the 18Th Be, securing the works and pris-
oners, from whom he learned where the foot
or common road bridge was; the fort and
line CT works were on the brow of a hill on
the south side of the Appomattox River.
As Col Starbird left to perform his i'm
portant mission l dispatched staff officers
every where TO hunt up Gen. Barlow and re-
wore apace The staff officers did not report
back as promptly as wished, and / sought
the services of Confederate soldier who
lived in this vicinity and he piloted me to
where l supposed Gen. Barlow would be.
Finding him, he approved my action. and
ordered me to hold my position thus OBJ
tanned Riding rapidly back to my COM
mand ] was informed by staff officer that
Col S.arbird had captured the line of works
he had been ordered TO and asked for fur
fheT instructions. Hearing from Col Star
bind what information he had obtained,
directed him to save the little wagon road
bridge at all hazards.
Col. StaFbird having captured the line of
works, was directed to find the bridge and pre-
vent the enemy from burning il. Pressing
prisoner into service, with pistol at the head
of the Confederate he moved rapidly toward
the river, discovering the railroad bridge
fre-that IS, the span Of the bridge nearest the
Confederate side of the river-and also the CON-
mon wagon bridge few hundred yards
TO the right of the railroad bridge in flames
The railroad bridge was some go feet high, a
beautiful structure, extending from bluff TO
bluff over the river. The common wagon road
bridge extended over the narrow but unfOrda-
bic river. The importance Of saving the COM
mon wagon road bridge was at once appreci-
&ted by Col Starbird. He directed his regi-
ment 10 center all efforts TO save this bridge
for the passage Of troops, IS the railroad bridge
was Of 10 consequence at this time, as it could
not b. utilized for the immediate passage of
troops, artillery, etc. The river could not be
forded, and as the rebels could be plainly seen
on the opposite bluff, it was Of incaiculable inn
hat nf he yiy
should be secured for our pursuing corps The
small common wagon-road bridge must be
saved. This Col. Starbrd proceeded to do with
his nobIe 18th Ne. and with a whoop and
run, every man recognizing how much de-
pended On his personal excrtion. they rushed
down the bank to the bridge and put out the
fire with water that was in their canteens TO-
gether with boxes, hats, dippers aud tents, left
by the rebels in their retreat, carried water
from the river and extinguished the fire saw
ing the bridge in condition TO admit of the
passage OF troops.
The rebels, seeing the flames extinguished
and our men on the bridge brigade of Gen.
Mahone's (rebel) Division, of Gen. Gordons
Corps, was sent back 10 regain possession of
this bridge go as to prevent our troops from
pressing too closely on their rear. The 18th
Bie.. seeing the large force coming 10 attack
thet1, retired TO the hillside covering the
bridge. and WAS so gtTagcticaily placed as to
utterly prevent the rebels from recapturing
it; ana as the rebels advanced commenced
what IN history is known as the battle of High
Bridge Va. Starbird early realizing the i'm