The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-04
OVER A HOT BRIDGE.


General McClenan's Army of the Potomac
to Harrison Landing, our command was
pretty well tired out However, we gave
a good account Of ourselves during the
days fight and when night came were
glad to 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 to 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 all 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had withdrawn, then silently take up the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 deep was his sleep
that he failed to realize the order, and
hardly had it been conveyed by the staff
officer to him than he sank again into
deep oblivion
The Army of the Potomac continued its
retreat and reached White Oak Swamp
during the night. was sleeping soundly,
sweetly, in the mud, dreaming of the good
things at DelmOnico's and the sweethearts
at home, when was aroused by a violent
tap on the shoulder My eyes opened in a
dazed manner, and dimly in the early
dawn recognized the face Of my COM
handing 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, 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 caissOals; move quickly in a
column until you 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.
- Will fix proIongcs on the napoleon
section, and when you are fully covered by
the wood will join you and VIII then send
the bugler to direct you to move at a trot,"
continued the captain.
The enemy's skirnishers were cautious
" advancing, and in the dim early dawn
could not detect the absence Of our army
A shot from one of our captain IS guns vas
a hint, however, that there were Yam
KEGS about
sible for the cover, and it was not long be-
fore reached there. I was very glad to
hear presently the bugler's familiar voice:
Lieutenant, the captain sends his COM
pl1m6IDS TO you ana says the cnUlTG kttLDeIy
Is now under cover. lie wishes you TO
move the head Of the column at trot- y
Never did 1 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 bugler 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
to look out for themselves, but still tear
ing on at our greatest speed, every mo-
ment fearing lest trace break or horse
tumblei Fortune seemed to favor US, and
great was our relief when White Oak
Swamp bridge opened up to our view.
But, oh, horrors, miseryl What is the
smoker Can it be possible the bridge is
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
it. was in full blaze
There we were, full battery of eight
guns, fully equipped with horses, ammuni- Z
ton, etc, valued at thousands of dollars (
to our government and still more valuable I
to the enemy If used against
With burning bridge in front of us, to /
cross which meant safety, and behind US,
coming rapidly, Confederate cavalry,
which meant capture and misery-nOt y
long did our gallant captain hesitate
Now, men, = he said, I'VE have got to Z
cross that bridge, and know every one Of
you would rather perish than endure the (
disgrace of capture Dismount, all Can 4
noneers, take your blankets, soak them in
the swamp and cover ammunition chests.
Drivers, take your nosebags, cut of the
bottoms and strap over your horses heads
so a to completely cover the eyes of the
horses. Lively; don't lose time. Lieuten-
ant - to me, take a nosebag for your
horse, same as drivers, mount and lead
battery over that bridge at full gallop.
I Will cover rear with napoleons and cross
the bridge ready for action
It was almost certain death, thought, /
but it had to be done. On the opposite /
side Of the swamp were the members OF /
our army, watching with deepest inter /
est and ready to help in any way in /
and the 'sreb'' cavalry was coming.
All was ready, wet blankets over am
munition chests, nosebags over horses
heads, and the word was given to 60 I
How we got over that bridge to this day /
do not know. My gallant little gray stood 4
me in good stead. The fierce flames,
searching and burning, one will never for
get.
There was terrible danger of exploding I
the ammunition in the chests which only
the wet blankets protected The explo-
sion meant certain death to every one Of
us-but got over safely As the last
gun reached the ground such a cheer as
gallant boys gave made our hearts
bound for joy and fully repaid us for the
frightful risk we had taken.
Not ten minutes had passed after our bat
terry had reached safety when the COnfed- !
crate cavalry opened with their carbines,
and very shortly afterward their artillery
joined in.
The bridge had become a thing of the
mast II that WAS left of If was a bean