The National tribune., 1900-01-25
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have to Say
About Their Campaigns.
CROSSING AT FREDERICKSBURG.
Gallantry at the Upper Bridge as Shown by
the Sons of Michigan and Massachusetts,.


Gallantry at the Upper Bridge as Shown by
the Sons of Michigan and Massachusetts,.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In late
issue appeared communication from J. A
Wright, 1St Mimi, in answer to one from
Lieut.. ). w. Northrup, regarding the S9tf
n. Y. at Fredericksburg. Comrade
Wright's account of the affair of the upper
bridge is correct so far as the 9TH Mich
OF the Second Division, Second Corps
The 1st MINI. was in the First Brigade
of the Second Division, and was a splendid
regiment well officered. j remember il
well. | also remember the crossing of the
RappahannOck on Dec. IL, 1862, having
been in the third boat to reach the Fred,
ericksburg side on that memorable occa.
sion. But the 9TH Mich was not alone in
the crossing, although two boat-loads OF
that regiment took the lead and the heavi-
est fire. The third boat to land was filled
witilmen of the 10th Mass, being SO closely
followed by the third boat of the 1tn Mich
that they landed nearly at the same in
stant, Immediately followed by the re-
mainder of the two regiments.
Upon landing the 9TH deployed to the
left, the first two boat-loads not waiting
for the rest, but advancing into the city
There We're some 10th boys among them.
Our regiment, the 18th, deployed to the
right, and skirmished up to and across
Carolina (or Caroline) street, until, becom-
ing widely scattered, and the enemy max
ing a strong resistance, we fell back to the
river, reformed, and advanced again III
better order to Caroline street, where we
again engaged the enemy occupying the
houses on one side of the street, the 10Th
seeking cover in the houses and behind
fences on the other, in which position they
remained until dark, when the rebs retired
and ttn.,r natatr mo traIf tn, thn RI
We did picket duty during the night,
and on the 18th returned to our position on
Caroline street, where we remained all day,
while the army was getting into position
for the morrow'S work.
On the 18th the regiment was ordered
back to the river bank, where we received
orders to move, and took part in the battle
of that day, making three charges on
the enemy's position to the right of Han
over street with the rest of the brigade.
The regiment had eight Color-Bearers
shot down in the assault.
Following is copy Of an account OF
the crossing which appeared in Hdrper's
WeeklY of Dec. 81, 1862:
'The Times correspondent thus de-
scrbes the gallant performance of Gen.
Halls Brigade.
During the thick of the bombardment
a fresh attempt had been made to complete
the bridge. 1t failed, and evidently moth
ing could be done till a party could be
thrown over to clean out the rebs and cover
the bridge-head. For this mission Gen.
Burnside called for volunteers, and Col.
Hall, of Fort Sumter fame, Immediately
responded that he had brigade that
would do the business. Accordingly, the
7th Mich. and 18th Mass, two small regi-
ments, numbering in ali about 400 men,
were selected for the purpose.
'"The plan was that they should take the
tC of no hriI of ub IN blrb
there were 10 lying on the bank of the
river waiting to be added to the half-fin-
ished bridge, cross over in them, and,
landing, drive out the rebels.
Nothing could be more admirable or
more gallant tl-an the execution of this
daring feat. Rushing down the steep
banks of the river the party found tenn
porary shelter behind the pontoon boa is
lying scattered on the bank, and behind
the piles of planking destined for the cov-
ering of the bridge, behind rocks, etc. In
this situation they acted some Is or 20
minutes as sharpshOoters, they and the
rebels observing each other. In the mean
time new and vigorous artillery fire was
commenced on our part, and just as soon
as this was fairly developed the 7th Mich.
rose from their crouching places, rushed
for the pontOon boats, and, pushing them
into the water, rapidly filled them with
% or 30 men each.
"The first boat pushes off. Now, if
ever, is the rebels opportunity. Crack!
crack! crack! from so lurking places go
rebel rifles at the gallant fellows, who,
STOPPING low in the boat, seek to avoid the
fire. The murderous work was well done.
Lustily, however, pull the oarsmen, and
presently. having passed the middle of the
stream, the boat and its gallant freight
come under cover of the opposite bluffs.
another and another boat followed.
Now is their opportunity. Nothing could
be more amusing i'll its way than the result.
Instantly they see a new turn of affairs.
The rebels pop up by the hundred, like so
many rats, from every cellar, rifle-pt,
stone wall, and scamper off up the streets
of the town. With all their fleetncss,
however, many of them We're much too
slow. With incredible rapidity the Michi-
gan and Massachusetts boys sweep up the
hill, making a rush for the lurking places
occupied by the rebels, and, gaining them,
each man capturing his two or three pris-
OnerS. The pOntOon boats on their return
trip took over more than 100 of these fell
lows.
You can imagine with what intense
interest the crossing of the first boat-load
spectators on the shore, and with what
enthusiastic shouts their landing on the
opposite side was greeted. 1t was an
authentic piece of human heroism, which
moves men as nothing else can. The
problem was solved This flash Of bravery
had done what scores of batteries and tons
of metal had failed to accomplish. The
country will not forget that little band:''
This account agrees substantially with all
records of the 10Th regarding the affair, with
a letter written by Lieut.. Edgar Newcomb,
of Co. c, to his sister on the 18th, and with
my own letters written home Immediately
after the battle. l insert the account for
the information of all interested. because
there has been so much discussion regard
ing the matter during the last few years,
and for the information of Comrade Wright.
/ have read the letter of Capt. McCor-
mack, S9th N. Y, who says his regiment
crossed at the bridge in front of the Lacy
House. l do not remember hearing about
his regiments crossing in pontoons, but
do not question the fact, for we crossed
at the upper. bridge, and had business
enough to attend to there without troubling
ourselves about regiments not in our inn
mediate vicinity.-RICHARD r. FOSTER,
Co. G, 10th Mass, Chelsea,
Mass.