Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-23
.rIIGu RRIDGEo SAVED.

In the year 1861 the Army or northern
Virginia had been so deelmated ana
reduced IN strength by the losses or
Sharpsburg. Gettysburg. the wilderness,
Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, that 1t
required the whole Of General Lees
available force TO defend the beleaguered
cities Of Richmond and Petersburg, and
the protection and defence Of his lines
Of communication and his depots OF
supply had, in large measure, TO be
intrusted TO what was styled the. re
serve force" which was composed OF old
men and boys under age for military
service These were organized into
companies and stationed at points OF
military Importance along the railroads,
about the commissary and quartermas-
ter stations, the hospitals, and important
bridges.
Tho High Bridge over tho Apo
mattox river was q most vital point
upon a long line Of road to the South
west over which was transported SOL
diers, munitions OF war, and supplies of
every kind for General Lees army and
the citizens OF the two besieged cities.
So manifest was the necessity for pro-
tecting and preserving that structure
that a company OF Reserves" which was
subsequently increased 10 a battalion
numbering about three hundred, was or
dered TO that point to forufy as best
they could, and instructed, II raided. 10
make the best defence in their power.
The equipment of this little force was
all that could at the time be obtained.
IL consisted of two smooth-bore, 6-pound
cannon, without harness or horses, and
one calsson for the two guns, old-time,
smooth-bore muskets, that had long
been out Of use. Some with bayonets
and some without; sporting rifles, and a
few revolving pistols, and single and
double-barrelled shotguns.
The Reserves were furnished with
axes. picks, and spades to cut and dig
and fortify. and IA simple justice 10 the
old men and boys. It must be said that
they cheerfuly performed the duties as
signed them. and patiently and uncom-
paningly submitted TO the prlyations
and hardships Of camp and soldier life.
They drilled and trained and watched;
they cut and dug and shovelled 70 for
tify as thoroughly as possible, and to
improylse tents and shelters.
Such were the conditions and environ
ments at High Bridge" when Colonel
John Scott. OF Fauquier. was assigned
10 the command at what was then a
threatened and most important point.
SCOTT IN COMMAND.
Colonel Scott was a dashing gallant,
and distinguished cavalry officer OF the
Confederate army who achieved renown
upon many OF the battle-felds Of the
South, beginning with Manassas and
ending finally at Appomattox.
Colonel Scott was no less noted for
his courage and daring I'm action than
for his sound judgment ana his strate-
gic acumen and skill. He had but re-
Gently outwitted and checkmated Beast
Butler at City Point, and delayed the
Yankee advance upon Petersburg, which
was at the time practically in de-
fenceless condition, until Beauregard,
with his reinforcements, could reach the
city. Petersburg was saved and the
Beast bottled up" until relieved by the
approach OF Grant and his legions.
Stuart, Wade Hampton, and FitZ Lee
had taught the Yankees a lesson In raid
ing that they were not slow TO improve,
and shortly after Colonel Scott assumed
command at High Bridge" news was
brought in by the scouts and couriers
that a raid had, by circuitous march.
fanked General Lees army, and was on
the railroad, approaching BurkeviMe and
the Bridge" The raiiing force was es-
tinated at from 100 to 900 cavalry, and
a battery OF six or eight feld-pieces.
Colonel Scott and everybody else believed
that the bridge" was the objective point
OF the raid, as it's destruction would have
inflicted moro injury and damage than
burning depots or tearing up miles OF
track and road-bed.
We realized the utter hopelessness OF
conflict with so overwhelming a force
OF the enemy, who, IL they came, could
have occupied half a dozen natural po-
sitions commanding the bridge and It's
Notifications, and with their artillery
knocked the wooden structure into splin-
tiers, without even coming in range OF our
old muskets and fowling pieces. The loss
OF the bridge would be a disaster and a
calamity, and under the conditions, how
and where TO make fight ceased 10 be a
question, but how TO circumyent and mis-
lead and bluff" the raiders was the
matter to be considered. and, II possible.
executed.
summon!ng his "aide-de-camp." Colonel
Scott ordered him TO prepare several
dispatches to imaginary generals and
commanders OK Infantry, cavalry, and
artillery forces. notifying them OF the
approach of tho raid and OF the ade-
quate and ample arrangements that had
been made for their reception; that
everything was in order for successful
defence; but that with the cooperation
of their several commands, the destruc-
ton or capture of the raiding force was
scarcely a matter OF doubt. instruction
was given TO move with caution and
celebrity. so as 10 escape observation by
the enemy and TO be in the selected posi-
tions on time. 1t was stated that the
positions were favorable for conceal
ment, and commanded all the lines OF
approach. etc. etc. The aide was d.
rected not to use any name familiar 10
the Yankees.
The dispatches were prepared. as d.
rected by Colonel Scott. and placed in
the hands OF three or four citizens who
we're known to be true and trustworthy,