The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17

the men MCTG dL MDlh. 1tSAl. LII
turned to the men and shouted
"Men, remove the skids and vel
back to the next cut south and finish
our load. Lively, now; get aboard!
At the same time he called to the engi-
neer, who was temporarily away from
his engine.
While the men were climbing upon
the cars the Lieutenant mounted the
engine and grabbed the throttle lever,
and as soon as the engineer tumbled
onto the rear car, he hooked her down
and pulled her wide Open" To say
that the "old girl :" got down to business
would be putting il mild. She yanked
those flats out of that cut toward town
so lively that the cavalrymen who were
on the watch only had time to fire few
shots.
The next day Patrick's Brigade was
sent out and went into camp south OF
town, and remained there during our
stay in that vicinity.
We began the bridge on the morning
of May 8, and finished it the night of
May p, Just IA days. Sometime the
next forenoon the first train passed over,
witnessed by thousands of soldiers and
citizens, the latter consisting mostly of
women and children, both white and
black.
During the construction Of the bridge
an engineer corps was organized OF de-
tails from the various regiments Of Nc
Dowell's Corps. We were provided
with printed passes, recognized at any
point either inside or outside our lines
during the day, while the countersign
would pass us at night Each man also
wore an engineers castle" F" on his cap.
AS our work kept us busy during the
day, we generally visited our regiments
after dark, crossing the river on the pom
toon bridge that had been thrown across
about 20 or so rods above the railroad
bridge.
One night went over to the regiment
and remained longer than / had intend
ed, it being nearly 10 O'Clock when |
left for the city. / had traversed half
the distance from camp to tie top of the
bluff overlooking the bridge, when
huge black cloud rolled up from the
west, with frequent flashes Of lightning,
and by the time / reached the top Of the
bluff overlooking the bridge it was so
intensely dark ] could see nothing, and
only tell where to go by looking ahead
at each lightning flash.
At the top of the bluff / waited for a
fash to show ne the "dug-way" that
led to the bridge. / had but an instant
to wait before binding flash came, fol-
lowed instantly by deafening peal Of
thunder. When the fash came the city
across the river, the partly finished rail
road bridge, the rapids ana little island
in the river above, the piers Of the old
wagon bridge to the right, and the pom
toon bridge in my immediate front, with
Its two sentinels, one at either end, with
the tents occupied by the guards on the
river bank, we've all spread out before
me like panorama, to be again hid In
the intense darkness.
] cautiously felt my way down the
"dug-way," and, as ] approached the
bridge, j began to hum tune in order
TO let the sentinel know there was eone-
one approaching. Iexpected TO be halt
ed at the point Of the bayonet, but DO
command did / hear, and saw nothing of
o sentinel.
/ passed onto the bridge, and SO on
across the river, where j was stopped,
and after communicating the counter
sign / asked the sentinel what had be-
come of the guard at the other end Of
the bridge. He was surprised, saving
be supposed he was at his post, and
when j informed him / had met no one
he called the Corporal OF the guard, and
he and went over TO look for him. We
found him and negro living at the side
Of the road near the bridge, and nearly
insensible, both having been struck by
the same fash Of lightning that had
shown me the way down the bluff
Everything seemed TO indicate that
we had conc to stay. Mcclellan was
gradually working bis way towards
Richmond from Yorktown, while Gen.
Burnside was winning glorious victories
down Oh the coast The citizens of
Fredericksburg were very friendly to
the troops-at least seemed So and, if
We were TO judge from their actions, were
pleased with the situation.
A theatrical troupe came TO town
from Washington and gave several per-
formances, among others a farce entitled |
/" Toodles." After the performances the
leading lady actress sang the +" Red,
White and Blue" supporting hand
some stand Of colors that belonged to one
of the regiments stationed near the city. |
Standing at her right was a Sergeant
from the 23d \. Y, on her left a sailor
from the gunboat anchored off tie ship
yard. She sang the verses of the song,
and at her request the audience Joined
IN on the chorus. j do not think that
old theater ever contained as much pure
patriotism as it did during the Summer
Of '62, when it was filled with the SOL
diers of McDowell's army, who went
there nightly to witness the performances
and listen TO the patriotic songs. ever