The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-15
CAPTURE OF COLUMBUS.
Recollections of the Part Taken by Wilson S
Cavalry.

Recollections Of the Part Taken by Wilson S
Cavalry.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Referring
to the last part of the very able and i'll
teresting Wilson's Cavalry Corps" by
the Colonel of the 18th Ohio Cav, | de-
sire to thank Col. Allen for such interest
ing "reminiscences, and also desire to state
that the Iowa cavalry that made the noun
ed charge and captured the bridge in the
night fight at Columbus, Ga, on the nigh.
of April &c. 1865, was made by four COM
panies of the 4th Iowa Cav.-Cos. e. NJ,
II and B-making the Sd Battalion of the
4th Iowa Cav, and commanded by Maj.
Dee. The other eight companies were
dismounted and engaged in the attack on
the rebel lines III their rifle pits. The
four companies above named were formed
in column of fourS in the road to the left
of the dismounted line of battle, and at n
given signal we started, first on trot,
then a gallop and charge and as we pass,
ed our Colonel, +. Winslow, who com.
manded our brigade, of Uptons Corps,
he shouted: go for the bridge. boys; go
for the BRIDGE And we did go, as fast
as horses legs could carry us, going
through rebel lines and in less time than
1t takes to write it, we We're on. or i'll,
the bridge, as it was Il covered bridge
from one side of the river to the other,
and, as Col. Allen says, cotton, turpens
tine and tar We're used without stint pre-
paratory to firing it.
rebel battery, commanded by a Col
La Mar, of South Carolina, | think, was
stationed at the mouth of the bridge on
the Columbus side.
The bridge was packed in front of our
1slN l.,r
We crowded them through and onto the
battery in such mass that Col La Mar
did not dare use his guns. If he had
hundreds of his own men would have first
received the charges Of grape and canis
ter, and before Col. La Mar knew the
situation, he was shot down by one of our
men. The men manning the battery were
taken prisoners. Just at this moment
rebel struck n match to apply to the cot
ton and turpentine, but went down by
shot from a cavalryman's navy revolver,
and the bridge was taken without the loss
of man who took part in the mounted
charge.
Just at this time Gen. Upton and Col
Winslow came through the crowded
bridge, and | do not think | ever saw two
happier men. They laughed and shook
the boys by the hand, and that brave and
gallant Gen. Upton was so happy he shed
tears for joy.
1t was currently reported in our dfvi-
Shat when the south
bridge was burned when the advance of
one of the other divisions attacked during
the forenoon of April 16. Gen. Upton told
Gen. Wilson, if he (WilsOn) would allow
him to do so. he would take his division
and capture the upper bridge and 90 into
Columbus. AS we understood at the time
permission was given, and the order is
sued. l well remember we counter
marched, going back on the same road
we had gone forward on for two or three
miles. then turned to the right or north
on an old road followed for some distance
then took to the woods, and marched over
hills, hollOws and fallen logs.
Some time after dark we marched m
a steep hill covered with timber, as the
rebel batteries were engaged in tossing
over few shells and solid shot some
IN the tree-tOps over our heads
others passing on to interest some one else
in our rear. We finally got close enough
to realize what was in our front. and
about 10 o'clock n. M all of our brigade
of the 10th Mo. and Sd and 4tb
Iowa Cav, were dismounted excepting Sd
battalion of 4th Iowa. as stated above.
was 1t any wonder Mai.-Gen. UPTON felt
happy when he knew his command had
saved the bridge and Columbus was ourst
recall that Col. La Mar. who was Il
prominent slave dealer before the war. |
was killed. One or two of my company
carried him away from where he had
fallen, laying his body by the side of the
street. One of these soldiers. Priyatc
VIM. Gard who went by the name or
title Of Wild Bill, noticed a very fine gold
cham, seal. etc. attached to his vest. and !
taking hold of it he found very fine gold |
watch attached to the other end Of chain |
He did as most any other soldier would |
nave done-took care of it for fear some
one might-break or damage it. After
we were in camp few days. near Macon. |
an order or inquiry came to our company
MI for Col. La Mars watch. inquiry |
was made among the boys, but no such |
watch could be found 1t was under |
stood at the time that Col. La Mar was |
a prominent Mason. and the seal or charm
On said watch indicated that he was n |
Mason. His widow followed the com
mand to Macon. and was trying to recover
The watch, which finally resulted in that
searching episode on the sand-bed. where
no doubt many trinket was hidden in |
mat loose bed of sand until the danger
1ns searching officer should pass. I I'M.
lerstood said watch was sold bv Wild
Bill. or Private Gard, for $50 to an other
soldier of same company What finally |
became of the watch this deponent saith
not. The watch was valued at that time
nc about $500 If COmrade Gard stin |
ives | would like to hear from him: have
not since we senarated Aug. "a. 1861
-. j. VANCE, First Lieutenant Co. NJ |
ith Iowa Cav, Mankato, Kan.