The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-12-18
OVER A HOT BRIDGE.

Twas q senior arst lieutenant Of Unit
ed States light battery, consisting Of eight
guns, six rife and one section of IL pound
napoleon.
We had been fighting for three days con-
tinuously and marching at night. So that
when the battle OF Savage Station was
commenced, at the time of the retreat Of
General Mcclellan Army of the Potomac
to Harrison Landing. our command was
pretty well tired out. However, we gave
a good account CT ourselves during the
days fight, and when night came were
glad 10 lie down beside our guns, regard
less of the mud, for it had been raining
hard all day.
In the meantime it had been deter
mined that the army should retreat 70 and
over White Oak Swamp, destroy the bridge
and make another stand, TO allow our
transportation, etc, to advance on its way
to the landing.
General Richardson's brigade to which
our battery belonged, was detailed TO cover
the retreat of the army and was TO remain
in front of the enemy until ali the corps
had withdrawn, then silently take up the
retreat, following in rear of the army,
An aid -de-camp was sent from General
Richardson TO notify our captain that we
should follow the brigade, which had
obeyed instructions and was then on the
march. But so great was the fatigue OF
our commander and SO deep was his sleep
that he failed 10 realize the order, and
hardly had it been conveyed by the staff
officer TO him than ne sank again into
deep oblivion.
The Army of the Potomac continued its
retreat and reached White Oak Swamp
during the night. l was sleeping soundly,
sweetly, in the mud, dreaming of the good
things at Delmonico's and the sweethearts
at home, when l was aroused by violent
tap on the shoulder. My eyes opened in
dazed manner, and dimiy in the early
dawn l recognized the face of my com
manding officer
For Gods sake, quick, lieutenant.
arouse YOURSELF We are left behind by
the entire army, which reiterated during
the night. The Confederate skirmishers
are now deploying on the plain in front
of us. We alone, an eight gun battery, OPP
pose the entire Confederate army, and we
have got to make ten good miles before we
can reach safety. Mount at once; move
quietly TO the battery; mount all drivers
of pieces and caissons; move quickly in a
column until you are covered by the neigh
boring wood, he cried.
Fortunately the wood skirted both sides
of the road leading TO White Oak Swamp,
about 800 yards distant.
Il will fix prolOngeS on the napoleon
section, and when you are fully covered by
the wood will join you and will then send
the bugler TO direct you to move at a trot, "
continued the captain.
The enemy's skirrnishers were cautious
~ advancing, and in the dim early dawn
could not detect the absence of our army
A shot from one of our captains guns was
hint, however, that there We're Yam
KEGS about
was making tracks as quickly as pos.
sible for the cover, and il was not long be.
fore reached there. was very glad to
hear presently the bugler's familiar voice:
Lieutenant, the captain sends his COM
pliments to you and says he entire battery
is now under cover. He wishes you to
move the head of the column at a trot."
Never did l obey command more cheer
fully, and we We're soon moving at rapid
pace. Hardly had we settled down to a
steady gait when the busier came dash
ing up again with the information from
the captain TO move at a gallop, as the
Confederate cavalry was in pursuit.
How we did dash along, passing many
of the stragglers, to whom we shouted
that the ConfederateS were in pursuit and
to look out for themselves, but still tear
ing on at our greatest speed, every mo-
ment fearing lest a trace break or a horse
tumble, Fortune seemed to favor US, and
great was our relief when White Oak
Swamp bridge opened up 10 our view.
But, oh, horrors, misery! What Is the
smoke; Can il be possible the bridge is
ON fire; Yes, too true. General Richard
son had missed the battery and had waited
as long as he deemed consistent with the
safety Of the army and had been Obliged
TO fire the bridge, which, when We reached
ii, was in full blaze.
There we were, full battery Of eight
guns, fully equipped with horses, amrnuni-
ton, etc, valued at thousands Of dollars
to our government and still more valuable
to the enemy if used against Us.
With burning bridge in front of US, TO
cross which meant safety, and behind Us,
coming rapidly, Confederate cavalry,
which meant capture and Inisery-nOt
long did our gallant captain hesitate.
Now, mon, he said, we have got to
cross that bridge, and / know every one OF
you would rather perish than endure the I
disgrace Of capture. Dismount, all. Can |
uoneers take YOUR blankets, soak them in /.
the swamp aud cover ammunition chests. I.
Drivers take your nosebags, cut off the
bottoms and strap over your horses heads I
so Us TO completely cover the eyes of the 4
horses. Lively; don't lose time. Lieuten- 4
ant, - 10 me, take a nO.ebag for your
horse, same as drivers, mount and lead
battery over that bridge AT a full galiop. I
Will cover rear with Dapoleons and cross
the bridge ready Tor action"
1t was almost certain death. | thought, Z
but it had to be done. On the opposite .
side Of the swamp were the members Of
our army, watching Us with deepest inter
est and ready Ia help US in any way in
their power. But the bridge was burning,
and the 'Teb' cavalry was coming.
All was ready, wet blankets over am
munition chests, Eo-cbags over horses
heads, and the wort was given 10 20.
How we got over that bridge TO this day
do not know. My gallant little gray stood
me in good stead The fierce flames 7
scoTching and burning, one will never for
get
There was terrible danger Of exploding
the ammunition in the chests, which only
the wet blankets protected. The explo-
sion meant certain death 70 every one Of
us-bUt We got over safely As the lAst
gun reached the ground such cheer as
our gallant boys gave Us made cur hearts
bound for jog and fully repaid Us for the
Eightful risk we had taken
Not ten minutes hAa passed af,e- our bat
terry had reached safety when the COHfeG-
erate cavalry opened with their car5ibes,