The National tribune., 1903-03-12
BOTTOMS BRIDGE.
The It'll Mass. Claims Honor Of First Cross.
ing.

ing.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In the
issue Of Dec. TO- 1901, Comrade w. FL.
Rosser says Il had said my piece about
Naglee's Brigade being the first to cross
Bottoms Bridge in 1862 To show how
easy it is to be mistaken, especially in re-
gard to events which occurred so long ago,
permit me to state few facts, as record-
cd at the time and on the spot.
/. too, kept a diary during my three
years service, and l copy the following
as written at the time in question:
May II, 1S62-The regiment 9th
Mass.) took the advance, as yesterday,
and drove the enemy nearly to Bottoms
Bridge, when we encamped for the night,
after putting out heavy picket line to
guard against any surprise.
May 20-One of Co. C. and one of Co.
b were wounded and a Sergeant taken
prisoner while on Il reconnaissance near
| Bottoms Bridge.
May 21-Our pickets along the Chick
ahominy, under the unofficial command Of
Private Yoodles. crossed Bottoms Bridge
just before daylight this morning and ex-
changed shots with the rebel cavalry and
drove them to the rear. Col Russell, be-
ing informed of the fact, sent our colors
across the river at g a. M; the remainder
of the regiment crossed over. and, in COM
pany with the Sth Pa. Cav, drove the
rebS some distance and established our
pickets. The regiment returned to camp
at p. m"
/ If the sd Pa. crossed Bottoms Bridge
first, / wish to ask why they came back
and left the Johnnies in full possession
until the 9TH Mass. crossed and found
them yet guarding it?
| I will G'nnrnIa PoS-ar Ia hn
| lowing Official Records of the Rebellion,
Series /, Vol. NJ, Part l, page GAL,
which reads:
Camp near Bottoms Bridge;
I'll 30 n. m.
General: 1 have the honor to report
the result of q reconnaissance made by
Maj. Harlow and party of Col. Russell's
9TH Mass. Vols. this morning, the party
consisting of Capts. Holman's and Whit
combs companies; got into the skirts Of
the woods this side just before daylight.
Capt. Holman saw the bridge. 1t ap-
peared to be blown up in the center. They
We're fired upon on reaching the woods
from rifle pits on the opposite bank. One
Sergeant is missing and one man wounded.
(Signed) sc. d. KEYEs,
..Brigadier-General Commanding Fourth
Corps" 4,
Page G42:
| MAY Il, Oto IL III.
General: l have the honor to report
that at daylight this morning Col. Russell
pushed one of his companies across at
Bottoms Bridge. His companies on the
railroad have also thrown a picket over
at that point He has of the former, be-
sides his own four companies, a regiment
to support him. He reports that during
the night he partly laid the railroad
bridge, so that infantry can pass. and that
he can soon repair Bottoms Bridge.
(Signed ''E. d. KEYEs,
"Brigadier-G General Commanding Fourth
Corps"
Page Gas, Brig John Peck says:
"This movement by Gen. Casey on my
front was wholly unnecessary, inasmuch
as the ground was already occupied by
Col. Russell's 18th Mass, placed there by
Gen. Couch, and the whole Of my COM
mand being in hand"
AS none of the above official reports
make mention of the sd Pa. being pres
ent at the first crossing of Bottoms Bridge,
it must be conceded that the 9TH Mass.
was the first to cross, as all official re-
pOr-s on the subject so record it.
If COmrade Rosser will furnish official
records las we have done) that the SD
Pa. was the first to cross, we will meekly
sit down. Until he does we shall continue
to hold the rooster aloft and let him
crow.-A. A. SEAvERNs, G. E., 1T. Mass,
North Scituate, Mass.