The National tribune., 1903-05-07
By L. E. ALDEN, 18th Mass.

the R0blnSon liver, Il branch OF the Rapl-
dan. After coming to a halt, our cooks
commenced to fire up for desiccated
vegetables. This / was pleased to see, as
we had been short of rations.
Just at this time Co. L was ordered on
picket; we had fallen in and were ready
to start, when the general call sounded to
get to the rear in quick time. Our sup
per we did not get. We marched about
three miles toward Culpeper and halted
at about 8 p. M. We could get no farther.
as the roads were checked with artillery
and teams. Orders came for Us to be rear
guard Well, we did not get away until
8 a. m. the next morning.
As we went through Culpeper the ladies
said: Il told you you would have to get"
Did not speak pleasantly Well, if ever
we got up and busted this was the day.
About p. m. we ran into the artillery and
ammunition wagons. They seemed a good
deal demoralized, 1 thought. They UNI
loaded the wagons, giving each man 100
rounds of cartridges to carry, so as to
save their horses. There was no letup for
u.s. We got across the bridge at Kappa
hammock Station just at shutdown.
At this time the 18th Mass. was at the
rear. and Stuart's cavalry was close on,
and picked up a good many stragglers. as
we could see. After crossing the bridge,
we went into camp about one mile from
the station that night.
FIGHTING ON THE RApPAHANNoCK.
Early the next morning the artillery
fighting commenced from both sides. The
rebs got bearing on the bridge and cover
ed nearly a half mile to the right and
quite distance to the left. About half
mile to the right there was rising ground
on the south side of the river. Gen. Hart
suff saw this tby the way, Gen. Hartsuff
was Chief of Artillery in the Mexican
War, and about dark we, the 18th and
18th Mass, built temporary bridge
across, and 10y 8 p. m. the 18th and 18th
Mass, Coulter's 11th Pa, and the Penn
sylvania Battery were across and i'll posi-
ton.
We opened fire on the rebs at daylight
with good effect but not enough for an
advance. As l remember, We kept up the
artillery firing the most part of the day.
l was on picket line that night. The rebel
line was very near, as we could hear them
talk.
About - o'clock there was a heavy
shower in the mountains. Soon after the
water came rushing down the river and
our bridge collapsed. The picket line was
called in and orders given to fall in, still
as death, and make for the railroad bridge.
The battery had to be gotten across, but
we made it, with one company of the 18th
Mass. as rear guard. This was just at
daylight. The rebs discovered the move
ment in time to make some loss to the
company of the 18th. The fog was all
that saved us that morning, as the whole
of Longstreets Corps We're in our front
and very near.
After the 18th was across the rebs
brought up two 12-pound cannon and shot
off the timbers of the bridge, which were
small, and it went down with a crash. This
was the morning of Aug. %. We fell in
and marched toward Warrentown; should
think we made 10 miles or more that day.
On the 9th, 25th, Goth and 9th we
were meandering all over the country. One
of these days, after marching and hating
all day, brought us up very near where
We stayed the night before. 1t began to
look as though Pope or some one else did
not know much about what was really 60
ing on.
On Aug. % we started early via. New
Baltimore. and understood we were going
to Gainesville. About II o'clock n. IN. a
comrade and / got leave of our Captain
to go on ahead of the regiment. My CON-
rade and made Gainesville about p. H.
s1hoius ditti ScttihS thtitf Solht VI iiic
4th n. Y. Cav. came in, saying that the
whole of Ricketts's Division had been or
dered to ThorOughfare Gap, and had left
on a road six miles back, bearing to the
left. We started double-quick and got
there in time to fall in skirmish line.
AT TnoRoUGHFARE GAP.
Longstreet was coming through the Gap
Ricketts, had orders to hold Longstreet six
hours. Well, Longstreet had nearly two
regiments through before Ricketts, with his
batteries got to work. But two full bat
teries soon put stop to it. We got Il
good many prisoners and the rest of the
two regiments were driven back in the
hills. The reb sharpshooters made it very
unpleasant for our skirmishers. They were
in the trees, but we finally drove them out
with shell.
To get nearer, the 10Th was ordered over
an old bridge over a dry creek. There was
an old mill near. We supposed there was
no one in it, but as the last company
crossed, sharpshooters opened from the
mill, with considera bic loss to the 18th.
The Thompson Battery soon fixed the mil!
so We could see through it, aud at the
same time cleared the tree-toDs.
The 18th Mass. was at the left of the
Gap and the 18th Pa. at the right. Prob
ably other troops were engaged at the
same time. as all of Ricketts's Division
was there or near. l speak of what came
right under my eye at the time.
The artillery fire was kept up until 8
p. M, when the whole of Ricketts's Divi-
sion withdrew. The 18th Mass. being the
rear guard, it must have been $50 before
we got away. With continual stops, i do
not think we had made more than four
miles toward Gainesville at IL o'clock. At
this time we made halt, and put ont
pickets. Co. i seemed to be the one to
go on, though the officers and men were
generally played out.
The reb lines were very near, as we
could hear talking quite plainly. The
pickets came in before daybreak. The
regiment started without noise. everything
muffled We had n guide, who belonged
near. We started lively pace and kept
1t up, where roads would allow.
We brought up at Bristow Station about
2 p. M, and found two regiments of Regu-
lars there. the first / had seen during my
service They said they belonged to Fitz
John POrter's Corps said they had scrap
with Longstreet about II n. M. struck him
on the flank, and he withdrew.
AT BULL RUN.
We brought up at Bull Run battlefield
about sunset, Aug. %, and fond any
quantity of troops in the vicinity. This
had been hard day on the boys, with
very little grub. We thought to have
coffee, but mo fires was the order, so
those lucky enough to have bareback could