The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-08-04
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
Over a Hot Bridge.

was a senior first lieutenant of
United States light battery, consisting
of eight guns, Blk rifle and one section
Of two pound napoleon.
We had been fighting for three days
continuously and marching at night, 30
that when the battle of Savage Station
was commenced, at the time of the re-
treat of General McClellan's Army of
the Potomac to Harrison Landing, our
command was pretty well tired out.
However, we gave good account OF
ourselves during the days fight, and
when night came were glad to lie down
beside our guns, regardless of the mud,
for it had been raining hard all day.
In the meantime it had been deter
and over White Oak Swamp, destroy
the bridge and make another stand, to
allow our transportation, etc., to adj
vance on its way to the landing.
General Richardson's brigade, to
which our battery belonged, was de-
tailed to cover the retreat of the army
and was to remain in front of the enc
my until all the corps had withdrawn,
then silently take up the retreat, fol-
lowing in rear of the army.
An aid-de-camp was sent from Gen.
eral Richardson to notify our captain
that we should follow the brigade,
which had obeyed instructions and was
then on the march. But 80 great was
the fatigue of our commander and 80
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
it's retreat and reached White Oak
Swamp during the night. was sleep
ing soundly, sweetly, in the mud,
dreaming of the good things at Delmon-
ico's and the sweethearts at home,
when 1 was aroused by violent tap on
dazed manner, and dimly in the early
dawn 1 recognized the face of my COM
handing officer.
"For Gods sake, quick, lieutenant,
arouse yourselfl We are left behind
by the entire army, which retreated
during the night. The Confederate
skirmishers are now deploying on the
plain in front of US. We alone, an
eight gun battery, oppose 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
neighboring wood" he cried.
Fortunately the wood skirted both
sides of the road leading to White Oak
Swamp, about 500 yards distant.
81 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 trot," continued the captain.
The enemy's skirmishers were eau
tiously advancing, and in the dim early
dawn could not detect the absence OF
our army. A shot from one of our cap.
tain's guns was a hint, however, that
there were Yankees " about.
1 was making tracks as quickly as
possible for the cover, and it was moi
long before l reached there. 1 was
very glad to hear presently the bugler's
familiar voice: Lieutenant, the cap.
tain sends his compliments to you and
says the entire battery is now under
cover. He wishes you to move the
head of the column at a trot.
Never did 1 obey a command more
cheerfully, and we were soon moving
at a rapid pace. Hardly had we settled
down to steady gait when the buglel
came dashing up again with the infor.
nation from the captain to move at @
gallop, as the Confederate cavalry wal
in pursuit.
How we did dash along, passing
many of the stragglers, to whom WI
shouted that the Confederates were il
pursuit and to look out for themselves
but still tearing on at our creates
speed, every moment fearing lest {
trace break or a horse tumblel For
tune seemed to favor us, and great wa
our relief when White Oak Swami
bridge opened up to our view.
But, oh, horrors, misery What il
the smoke? Can it be possible thu
bridge is on fire? Yes, too true. Gen
eral Richardson had missed the batter,
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 o
eight guns, fully equipped with horses
ammunition, ETC., valued at thousand
of dollars to our government and still
more valuable to the enemy if uset
against us.
With burning bridge in front of us
to cross which meant safety, and be
hind US, coming rapidly, Confederate
cavalry, which meant capture and mis-
ery-not long did our gallant captain
hesitate.
"Now, men," he said. "we have go
to cross that bridge, and know ever,
one of you would rather perish thar
endure the disgrace of capture. Dis
mount, all. Cannoneers, take you
blankets, soak them in the swamp an,
cover ammunition chests. Drivers
take your nosebags, cut off the bottom
and strap over your horses heads so a
to completely cover the eyes of tn
horses. Lively; don't lose time. Lieu
tenant" to me, "take nosebag TO
your horse, same as drivers, mount an
lead battery over that bridge at full
gallop. 1 will cover rear with napole
ons and cross the bridge ready for &C
tion."
1t was almost certain death, / thought
but ii had to be done. On the opposit
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