The National tribune., 1902-07-17


were stationed at intervals along the line
of railroads running between Morehead
City of Newberne, n. c.. This is why
three companies of my light battery were
detached from the rest of our command
near City Point, Va, and sent to operate
with troops in North Carolina.
We landed at Fort Macon, on Bogue
Island, and then proceeded westward,
keeping close to the waters Of Bogue
Sound and taking up position on the
island about two and a half miles west
from Fort Macon, where we spent the
next three days awaiting relnforcements
The day after our arrival we were joined
by the 9th VT, four companies of the I'd
Mass. II. A, who were doing duty as
light artillery, two companies of Regulars
from Fortress Monroe, and the 18th n. Y.
Cav; which increased our numerical
strength to about $500 men.
Our intention was to either capture the
enemy or drive him from the eastern part
of the State of North Carolina. Quite q
number of the enemy, probably $500, had
collected at Salisbury, intending to march
to the shores of Bogue Sound, with the
intention of crossing in the night on fiat
boats and barges constructed FOR that
purpose and to fall upon the pickets that
stretched across the island from shore to
shore, and to recapture Fort Macon by
bold dash in the night.
By 10 o'clock a. IN. of the third day
our light tiotillas which were to carry our
expedition across the Sound were ready,
also the steam tug had arrived from Beau
fort. We were now prepared to move
forward as soon as the night should grow
sufficiently dark to hide our movements
from the vigilant enemy. Our siege guns
and our light field guns We're on the
barges being towed up the Sound by the
steam tug. At $50 p. m. we struck tents
and moved rapidly westward over Bogue
Island toward the enemy, and arrived at
the crossing of the Sound about 2 o'clock
in the morning. 1t was yet very dark.
Our fotilla had not yet arrived, having
been delayed by reason of some of our
barges running ashore on the sandbars.
The channel of the Sound is very narrow
and shallow, with many sandbars running
far out into the channel. But they ar
rived in time to carry US safely across the
Sound before daylight. We Immediately
sent out the New York cavalry to recon-
noiter the woods and the roads, and to as
certain the position and strength of the
enemy, if possible. Meanwhile the rest of
US busted ourselves in landing the heavy
guns and the light field guns and mount
ing the siege guns at the crossing, so as
to cover our retreat if We should find the
enemy strong enough to resist our ad-
vance and drive us back upon Bogue Is
In little while the cavalry returned to
us with the information that the enemy
was nowhere to be found, but that they
saw evidence of his having fallen back upon
the main line at Salisbury, having in some
way learned of our movement. We were
then called to breakfast, and an hour at
terwards commenced our advance toward
Salisbury.
We had proceeded about mile when
we came to a small stream crossing the
road, which brought US to a sudden halt.
On both sides of the creek the mud was
very deep, and in some places quicksands
were apparent. In fact, we found it difi-
cult to Cross at all with our artillery.
/ was ordered to detail 10 men Of my
company, and to follow the creek down in
search Of better crossing, while one
company of the 9th VT. was sent up the
creek to look for crossing in that direc-
ton. We were instructed not to go more
than mile down stream, and if we could
not find crossing within that distance to
return to our command. We had picked
our way very cautiously and carefully
down tie creek for nearly mile, when
we came to another road crossing the
creek, evidently running in the direction
of Salisbury. Here We crossed, finding
good firm sand and gravel bottom, but the
road seemed to turn to the left short
distance ahead. We carefully rode up to
the bend, and after having satisfied our
selves that it led toward Salisbury, we
faced about to return to our command
with the desired information, when, just
as we entered the creek, suddenly we
heard the rattle of musketTy, followed by
the billowing thunder of our light battery,
and before we were fairly out of the
creek We heard the clatter of horses feet
coming toward us from the direction of
Bogue Sound. Looking in that direction
rOmnaniaS Of rphpi cavalry
bearing down upon us at full speed. Our
retreat was cut off. / asked the boys,
"What Is it, fight or surrender" They
with one consent replied: Flight; fght!'
knew that such an unequal attack
could only result disastrously to my little
company, but l thought we might throw
the enemy into such confusion that We
might find a chance to escape, and l gave
the order to charge.
A few plunges of our chargers brought
us to close quarters with the enemy, and
with our carbines leveled at the breast of
their foremost files we fired.
Our shots evidently took effect. Several
of their horses broke from the ranks and
ran off without riders. Our unexpected
charge threw the party into confusion.
Many Of the horses jostled together,
throwing their riders to the ground, but
the confusion did not last long, The sharp
rattle Of nearly 200 carbines rang out,
tearing our horses out from under US and
throwing us fat upon the ground. Our
game was up.
They disarmed us, all the while cursing
rs for shooting some Of their comrades.
Then they detailed % of their men to
march us to Salisbury, while the re-
mainder of the cavalry galoped off to-
ward the upper crossing, where the fight
was going on.
All this time we could hear the in
eessant barking of our brass field "a and
12-pounders, and we longed to be there
We were satisfied that our boys were
holding the path and keeping the enemy
at bay.
Within mile of Salisbury we met Gen.
Hoke, with one field battery, one company
of cavalry, and 500 mounted infantry,
rallying to the fight. The General halted
us and asked me many pointed questions,
addressing me In very courteous language.
He asked me the strength OF our force at
the crossing, and what we had intended
to do.
1t came to my mind that I might rem
der valuable service to my comrades and
also to our cause, SO ! told the General
the biggest lie that was ever told to NOR
tai man. / told him that we had 1000
men at the crossing at Bogue Sound; that
we had two full field batteries, FIVE long
b. and 10 11-inch Dahlgren siege guns;
that 10000 men had started from Fortress
Monroe on the transport with three field
batteries, and 25 50-pound Parrott rife
siege guns. While telling him this 1 was
looking the General straight In the eyes.