Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-10-27

OF that battle as described by me in a
letter written while the events we're
still fresh in my mind
CAMP NEAR SHARPsBURG.
Mp. Sept. 26. 1862
The first fire we were under was
the second morning after we crossed
the Rappahannook river. That night
our corps was awakened about ten
O'Clock and sent to build bridge
about one mile above the railroad
bridge across a millpond, 40 feet
wide, water feet deep. The night
was dark but we built fires under the
bank close to the water. We had
sawed stringers and caps but had to
cut green timber for tressels. BY
lay light we were just putting in the
last bend when the rebels began she'll
ing us. We had the bridge to plank
and guard rails to put on before the
rebels got the range Of the bridge
Our artillery opened On them from
the bank over us. So we were be-
tween two fires. The boys showed
more curiosity than alarm and it was
hard to keep them from climbing
trees to see what effect our shot had
on the rebels. At 8 O'Clock the bridge
was finished and our battery dashed
across. The enemy Withdrew iAto
the woods and spent the rest of the
day trying to effect crossing at diff
ferent points, but were not success
ful. For the two ensuing days an ar
tillery fight was kept up with the riv-
er between us.
The morning OF the 23rd of August
we were aroused at daylight to 90 and
destroy the railroad bridge across the
Rappahannock. The bridge was SOC
feet long The night had been ore Of
rain and storm; the river was Using
fast. II had already taken off our
bridge built two nights before. We
had one battery and one brigade on
the opposite side Of the river and the
rebs had begun a fierce eannonade at
daybreak Some twenty pieces Of ar
tillery were stationed on our side tc
command the bridge while our men
could get across. At the moment our
battery and brigade came laundering
across, both sides opened terrible
fire. | was standing on the bank adj.
miring the courage of the foe, for our
artillery was making fearful havoc in
their ranks, but they would close up
without any faltering or apparent
hesitation. had not much time to
watch the fight for it was now appar-
ent to all that their object was to gain
possession Of the bridge. The river
was swollen until it was impossible tc
ford it. It was 20 my interest to de.
stroy the bridge as that would give us
several hours start of the enemy
The Boment the last man of our bri-
gade was on the bridge was ordered
to burn it, commencing at the farther
end. I was detailed by Maj Houston
to take charge of the destruction Of
the bridge and had ordered a grist.
mill that stood at the end of the
bridge Quilted and arm sful OF shaving,
on hand. So when / gave the word
all ready every fellow picked ar
his load. Some had boiling chests.
some grain elevators or hoppers and
one extravagant cuss had the desk
from the office Others carried fire.
inst as the last Of the infantry came
across at double quick heard Gen,
Mcdowell say Now for it, be quick. =
/ yelled at the men to come on and we
started just as got on the bridge
ball knocked off piece Of railing
about the center. Before we got
across two more hit the bridge. Bot
for the next half hour | was too busy
to pay much attention to the battle.
At the end of that time we had the
bridge on fire at both ends and IN the
center. As soon as the rebels fonnd
that they could not save the bridge
they fell back. have since that been
where men we're falling thick and fast
and man could not call his life his
own for moment. but nothing has
left so vivid an impression on my
mind as the burning Of that bridge.
None Of us on the bridge we're hurt as
the shells did not burst soon enough,
but those on the bank suffered severe
II in both killed and wounded. As
soon as the bridge was thoroughly on
fire the retreat Of our army COM