The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-23
CHAPTER XIII.

crltical position tnan the Army OF the
Cumberland at this juncture. The Con-
federates overlapped the Union front
on the north by half dozen miles, and
between Confederates and the Chatta-
nooga road leading from what was both
the Union left and rear into Chattanoo-
ga there were only small bodies of cav
airy. Bragg had but to overwhelm
these, cross the Chickamauga and march
few miles westward to seize this road
and throw himself between his enemy
and that enemy's base--Chattanoo It
was his intention to cross Reeds bridge
by 8 o'clock in the morning with one
column, and Alexander's bridge, few
miles above, at the same hour, the two
columns to join and seize the coveted
road. attack Crittenden's left, while
third Confederate column, crossing at
Dalton's ford. would attack him in
front Crittenden once crushed under
these combined forces, as it was expect
ed he would be by noon, the whole Con-
federate army was to overwhelm Thorn
as, still ten miles distant, leaving Nc
Cook. 90 miles away, to be finished
later on. ~
There was nothing on the left to pre-
vent the execution of this attractive
plan but the two bodies of cavalry at
Reeds and Alexander's bridges Eight
o'clock came, and they were not over
whelmed. The sun stood high over the
valley Of the Chickamauga, and still
the Confederates had not crossed at
either Of these two points. The defend
ers of the bridges We're swarm Of hor-
nets flying In their enemies faces, with
many an effective sting. At noon they
were still stinging. 1t was not till 8
o'clock I'm the afternoon that the de-
tenders Of Alexander's bridge were
forced to give way, and those at Reeds
bridge only retired ON learning that the
other had been captured by the enemy.
So the morning and the afternoon pass
ed, aud when evening fell but 8. 00C
Caifederates had been thrown across
What was to have been executed on
Friday, the 18th of September, must
be deferred till the next day. Will it
then be too late?
The moon is lighting up the field, the
woods, the SUBMITS Of the two ridges
inclosing the valley of the Chickamauga
and 100, 900 soldiers. The air is cold
and crisp and myriads Of campfires are
scattered over the valley as reflection
of the starry heavens upon the bosom OF
lake. All night the moon CLEANS upon
the steel OF the two sleepless armies
the Confederates pushing across the
Chickamauga, the Unionists marching
to cover their unprotected left. Many
soldier casts his eye up into the serene
heavens and remarks tho queen Of night
looking down upon him, so pale, SO
cold, SO dead, as il in mockery Of his
own animate being and prophetic OF
what may come for him on the morrow.
From the southward comes the tramp
of dust covered men in blue. AT their
head rides one who before the sun twice
sets is to take first rank among the he
roes of Chickamauga. Thomas is leading
his men from distant point far beyond
Crittehdon to the exposed left and rear,
TO the Chattanooga road-the road COM
manding the line of communication OF
the Army OF the Cumberland. 1t must
be forced march, for the time is short
and the distance is great.
From the eastward the Confederates
are pushing across the Chickamauga.
Every available passage is occupied, but
there is little left OF tho bridges, and il
is slow and hazardous work at the
fords. Large bodies of men are like
streams. They flow easily across open
countries. but become choked in narrow
ways Yet the work goes on. 1t is a
long night-long for these men wadinf
through water or standing in the chilly
hours past midnight in wet clothing. 1t
is an eyentful night, for if they get
across in sufficient force, and the way
els still unblocked as yesterday, the fate
of the Union army is sealed.
At midnight Maynard lay under a
tree trying to catch some sleep. The ex.
ertion of the day would have brought it,
for he was exhausted, but his position
as to the army with which he had no
place was burning him like hot iron.
A few days before, and he would have
been leadsng his brigade through these
stirring scenes. Now he was not even
private soldier. He was an outcast, a
wretch too detestable for the respect
even of menial cooks and strikers, of
teamsters, of tho grasping horde of ar
my followers, whose object was to cheat
the soldier and rob the dead.
The moon, finding a convenient open
ing in the boughs above him, looked at
him in way that in measure quieted
him. What an absence of turSoil on
her surfaced No guns roar in her val
leys; no armies contend for the posses
sion Of her ringed ridges. The thought
for moment chased away his desire
for oblivion. He shuddered ut her moth
ingness. Tho scenes through which he
was passing seemed far preferable. He
was in the midst Of mans coveted ac-
ton. While that lasted he could not for
long be plunged in despair. Thank heav-
EN-, he was permitted to seek solace in
such turmoil. such roaring Of guns and
yelling of men as had como and were
coming.