The National tribune., 1899-06-01

LINE OF MARCH OF THE NlLSON hAll
owing to the destructive fire of the
enemy from its various intrenched
lines.
The effort to reach the bridge was
kept up until after dark, in the hope
that darkness would enable us to
reach the bridge. There was, how
ever, no spirit III the men for the
work, for they were all much eX-
hausted by the heat, the lack of
sleep, and the fatiguing work Of
burning and destroying the track,
after marching all day. After a
loss of about 90 men killed and
wounded the attempt was aban-
doned. The percentage of officers
was large, on account of the neces-
saTv effort 10 keep the men to their
work and from falling asleep on the
Enec The ground, however, WAS
held until ii was time 10 take the
road on the return. which was de
cided upon as soon as all hope OF
reaching the bridge was abandoned
and the head Of the column began
to move from the rear soon after
midnight.
The Cavalry Division of the
Army of the James had been on the
advance in the movement each day
since we started. From Roanoalke
Station ii was ordered to take the
rear Of the column. While we
were trying 10 burn the bridge Col.
ChApman, commanding the Second
Brigade of the Third Division, was
Keeping the enemy at bay. The
day following the enemy did not
modest us in any force. The route
taken was eastward through Wvler-
VILE and Christianviile, and after
marching about 40 miles we en-
can1ped near the Meherrin River.
The command was by this time
nurh impedcd by the wounded and
sick and also by the jadcd condi-
ton Of the animals, the heat and
the dust and the great number OF
negro refugees that had joined us,
unsolicited and against warning.
After we had crossed the Me
herrin on the morning of the 27th
The. enemy made a slight demon
sttation The route lay down the
1iser 10 the Boydton Plank Road
wtlich we reached after dark, dur
iRg a refreshing rain which com
peiIed halt for the night.
Dn the morning of The 2Sth we
were late in starting, on account OF
the drenched condition Of the troops.
We took the Boydton Plank Road
TO a point where it was necessary 10
decide which way we should take
t4S'each the Army of the Potomac
whether by Ream's or ,Jarrott' s
STATIONS ] was here summoned
to-aconfer with Gen. Wilson in re-
gard TO the route. From all the
information we possessed and the
assurance that we had that Meade
would occupy the Weldon Railroad
War Record. No. 81. p. 2S6, gave
itas my opinion that we could take
either way, but that we could not
stop until we had passed the point
OF either route mentioned. Gen
Wilson decided to march on the
direct road to Meade s army, as We
had reason to believe he was ex
pccting us.
Later in the day, after crossing
the Notaway Bridge, ] observed tha
the column had turned in toward:
Stony Creek Station, and ! noted i
with apprehension, which fear was
confirmed on becoming aware tha
the head of the column was en-
gagged. | understood that Gen
Wilson had intended to marci
directly to Ream's Station, but
this indicated a route TO the cas-
through Stony Creek, which ! haC
reason TO believe was not as prac
tlcable, owing to the number o.
streams and bridges wnich fur
nlsiled opportunities for detention
( by inferior forces.