The National tribune., 1902-06-12

this advance OF ours had orders from
Shields TO reach that bridge. and if they
could not hold it beyond question to de.
strOy it: but it seems that after having
taken it, and thinking that they could
hold it a part of that force crossed over
upon it and moved forward as if seeking
JacksOn's advance, which was known to
be close at hand. While our forces were
thus separated, the enemy's cavalry sud.
denly appeared in their very midst, ouI
men rapidly falling back toward the
bridge; but the enemy were in among
them, and drove them beyond the bridge
and held it, CAROLS force falling back to-
ward the place where the battle of Port
Republic was fought the day following,
June 8.
1t is said that this cavalry advance was
under the personal supervision of Jack
son; that the fighting at Cross Keys on
the afternoon OF the Sth had hardly
| ceased. when he fastened forward to see
personally as to the situation at the
bridge. which he expected to cross upon
and finding it in our possession he directed
and lei this cavalry charge which regained
it; but as his own army was not up, and
as Shields's main forces were yet miles
in the rear, Jackson was content to mere
ly hold the bridge and hasten his forces
forward from Cross Keys, as Fremont
had been repulsed, and was not pressing
him.
In the confusion attending the retreat
of our forces, the plans made to destroy
| the bridge could not or were not put into
effect, and the bridge so vital for the fur
Their retreat of Jackson upon that line
and for our ability to hold him back oil
unite the forces of Mcdowell and Ere
mont for his defeat, was thus carried ant
held by the Confederates, to our great dis
advantage, and made Jackson the master
of the situation.
| Tyler's Brigade arrived upon the field
about midday ON June s. the bridge then
having been in possession of the enemy
for several hours. Still the silence that
precedes a coming storm seemed to per-
wade that entire locality, and no DISPOSE,
ton was manifest BY either party to do
any other act or make any needless show
of strength, az it was now plainly evident
| that resi trial of strength was at hand
Zen, Tyler being senior officer to Car
roll At once assumed command Of all ou
forces upon that field. He formed lint
Of battle facing the enemy at the bridge
and within cannon range therefrom. Thu
Goth ,,hio was sent by his order to seal,
the side Of the ridge, which was nearl!
parallel to the river, but as it approach
ed the bridge came closer to that point
which would enable US from there the bet
/ ter to observe any movements of tn
enemy. After very tedious and har,
climb along the side of that ridge W.
reached the place indicated, but nothing il
the way of an advance Of the enemy wa
observed, or any clew obtained as to thei
intentions. This result Of our scout wa
so reported to Gen. Tyler, and towar
evening the regiment was ordered to re
turn by same route and join the brigade
After our return our tired and hungr
men threw themselves upon the groun,
and were soon asleep.
Early the next morning TyIer's com
mand was up, getting their breakfast, an.
preparing for the events of the day
whatever these might be. Soon thereafte
the enemy began pressing our forces bacl
from the direction Of the bridge, as
! seemed that during the night Jackson
entire force had fallen back from tn
|. front OF Fremont, and had quietly cross
ed over upon that bridge such forces a
. he thought necessary to effect our defeat
and had lined the opposite ana higher BAN
: Of the river with his artillery, bearin
upon our forces.
BATTLE OF PORT REPUBLIC.
4 The first notice Of the danger await
ing us was a furious fire from the enemy
batteries, which during the night had bee
: well and safely placed, as they had Sc
lected their several positions for these with
out any molestation from us, having gu
range and distance to a nicely.
J The line of battle that Tyler ha
, formed to confront Jackson, reached fror
: the foot of the ridge heretofore mentioned
across the open space and well toward tn
river. 1t was, however, but single lin,
and very much drawn out, made neces
sary TO cover such an extended space wit
! such a small command as was ours.
!, At the left Of this line, at the foot Q
the ridge, upon plateau formed by leve
: ing off the waste coal that had bee
, thrown out from a mine, he placed bal
terry of seven guns to command the roa
which ran along at the base of the ridg
: and on TO the bridge, being a continuatio
5 of the road upon which we had reache
there. This roadway in our front col
e formed to the bends Of the ridge or spur
E that projected therefrom, and, owing t
E these projections and obstacles, our ba,
terry at the point named could not CON
mand that roadway but for short di.
lance in its direct front. For this cans
1t was very faulty place to have
battery; but when added to the objectio
r the further fact that this point was q