Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-16
PASSED OYER A
BURNING BRIDGE
By COLONEL RUFUS KING.


l was senior first lieutenant OF a
United States Light Battery, consisting
Of eight guns, six rifles aud one SEXTON
of twelve pound Napoleon.
We had been fighting for three days
continuously and marching al night.
So that when the battle OF savage
Station" was commenced, At the time
of the retreat OF General McClei-
slap'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 lay down beside our guns, regardless
OF the mud, for it had been raining hard
all day.
In the meantime 1t had been deter
mined thai the army should retreat TO
and over White OAK Swamp, destroy;
the bridge and make another stand, 10
allow our transportation, &c, TO ad-
vance an its way TO the landing.
General Richardson's brigade, to
which our battery belonged, was detail
! ed to cover the retreat OF the army and
was TO remain 10 front OF the enemy
| until all the corps had withdrawn, then
silently take up the retreat, following
iL rear of the army.
An aid-de-camp was sent from Gener-
! al Richardson to notify our captain
we should follow the brigade, which
had obeyed instructions and was then
on tue march. But so great was the
| fatigue OF our commander and so deep
was his sleep, that he failed TO realize
the order, and hardly had IL been con-
veyed 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 sleep
ing soundly. sweetlY, In the mud, dream
ing OF the good things at "Delmonico's'
and the sweethearts at home, when
was aroused by a violent tap on the
shoulder. My eyes open in a dazed
manner and dimly in the early dawn
| recognized the face OF my commanding
officer.
The following words from his lips
fully aroused me TO a Relation OF where
was and that my dreams had been a
delusion and q snare.
For Gods sake, quick, Lieutenant,
arouse yourself. We are left behind
by the entire army, which retreated
during the night. The Confederate
shirmishers are nov deploying on the
Mains in front OF US; we alone, an eight
gun battery, oppose the entire Confed-
crate army. and we have got TO make
ten good miles before we can reach
safety"
Visions of Libby and its attendant
miseries, instead OF Delmonico and
preety girls, was hardly 4 pleasant
change Of thought. But little time was
given me 10 r%uminate, so quickly did
our captain act. Mount at once, move
quietly TO the battery; moun all driver:
OF pieces andscaissons, move quietly In
q column until you are covered by the
n~eighboring wood" he cried.
Fortunately the wood skirted both
sides OF the road leading to White Oak
swamp. about five hundred Yards dis.
tant.
II will fix prolonEes on the Napoleon
section and when you are fully covered
by the wood will join you aud will then
send the bugler 10 direct you TO move
at a trot," continued the captain.
The enemy's skirmishers were eau
tIously advancing, and, In the dim cary
dawn, could not detect the absence oil
our army. A shot from one OF our
| captains guns vas a hint, however. that
there were Yankees" about.
I was making tracks as quickly 3;
possible for the cover, and it was not
long before / reached there. | wa:
very glad TO hear presently the bugler':
familiar voice: - Lieutenant, the
captain sends his compliments TO you
aud says the entire battery Is snow under
cover. He wishes you TO move the head
OF the column at a trot."
Never did l obey q command more
cheerfully aud we were soon moving al
rapid pace. Hardly had we settled
down to a steady gait, when the buglel
came dashing up again, with the inior.
nation from the captain to move a.
gallop as the Confederate cavalry was
in pursuit. ,
EHow we did dash along, passing
many OF the straggIers, 70 whom We
| shouted that the Confederates were 10
pursuit and TO look out for themselves,
but still tearing on 81 our greatest speed,
every moment fearing lest a trace break
or a horse tumble. Fortune seemed tc
favor Us and great was our relief
when White Oak Swamp bridge opened
up TO our view.
| But, oh horrorsl Misery. what Is the
smoke? Can II be possible the bridge IL
on fire? Yes, too true. General Rich.
ardson had missed the battery and had
waited as long Is be deeh4nA consisien,
with the sffetY Of the q and had
been obli I'D TO fire bridge,
which. Wis V : reached $ in full
There welWere,' . full ba Shl
guns, fully /Ruipped with
milton, &c. valued At tho