The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-30

to Irwinton. The LIST Ala. Cav, Col
George +. Spencer commanding, had re.
manned at the Ferry after the Seventeenth
Corps had crossed. When Gen. Blair's
column marched away the rebel force re-
turned to the east bank of the river. Their
number, however, was small; becoming
satisfied that they could not prevent a
crossing, they disappeared during the
| night.
In order to protect the right flank of
/ our column against rebel force reported
| to be at Big Sandy Creek, Gen. Osterhaus
Doth Mo. Inf. (mounted) along that
stream. Col. Gage had skirmish at Light
Wood Knot bridge, over the Big Sandy,
| but succeeded in destroying the bridge.
| On the evening of Nov. 26 the PontOn-
iers soon threw bridge across the river
at the road. The Fourth and Third Di-
visions. Corse and Smith, took an early
start and reached the river in good time.
| The order of march was now reversed.
The divisions of the Fifteenth Corps
crossed the river in the following order:
Gen. Corse was given the advance, next
Gen. Woods, next Gen. Hazen, Gen.
Smiths bringing up the rear. My brigade
was assigned to the position of rear quart
of the corps.
The weather was clear and pleasant,
and the roads were much better, so that
rapid progress was made in the movement
of both men and trains. Upon receiving
my order of march, assigning me to the
rear of the column, l rode down to the
bridge to look things over and select the
positions for troops for the defense of the
bridge.
/ found an inspecting officer from corps
headquarters with a provost guard. His
business was to Gull out and remove from
the column the unserviceable horses and
mules which had been gathered up on our
line of march. These animals were in
daily use, but every regiment had an ex-
cess of pack animals beyond the allowance
in orders. and while forage was now
easily obtainable for all of them, it would
only be a few days when the whole army
would be on short rations for both men
and animals. The inspection was quite
close. During the day between 200 and
300 horses and mules had been removed
from the column and turned into field q
short distance from the bridge.
| was informed the orders We're that
these animals were to be killed by the
rear guard after the balance of the
troops had passed. This was not a pleas
ant duty, but the order was imperative
and was obeyed to the letter.
When it came time for our division t'
cross the river the First Brigade took thu
road, followed by our wagon train.
posted one regiment about half mile OF
the road west of the bridge. / posted
two regiments on the bank of the rive
on the east side, one above the othe
below the bridge. / posted a battery O
four pieces of artillery at an eligible pOin
to command the road west of the river
and posted n fourth regiment about hal
a mile east OF the bridge, facing east, will
| videts thrown out to the right and left.
In due time the troops and train hat
passed. 4 concerted signal was givei
and the regiment posted west Of the bridg
came hurrying down, leaving the office
with 80 men as the final rear guard.
REMOVING UIE PoNTooN BRIDGE
This regiment moved rapidly across tn
, bridge and Immediately the work of TAX
: ing up the pOntoOr structure was begun
, The pontoon wagons had all been parke,
close at hand, so there should be no delay
Every man worked in quick time an
many bearing the timbers in double-quick
, AS the flooring and timbers were take
from the first boat, the anchor was raise
and the boat was drawn across the rive
along the lower side of the bridge; tn
/ boat was hauled ashore, the canvas wa
5 oosened from the framework, the timber
: holding the gunwales of the boat togethe
< were removed and knocked down and tn
e boat loaded into its wagon. Thus tn
e work went on until the last boat wa
r reached, when another signal was give
e ana tne rear guard OF ~ men came at
: dOdble-quick, reaching the bank as th
y boat touched the shore. and they were a
: brought safely across the rapid waters Q
e the Oconee.
The work of taking up the bridge On
$ loading it into the wagons occupied Jus
50 minutes. The sun was not yet dow
The passage of this bold and rapid rive
had been made without accident. and til
Fifteenth Corps had, fortunately, not los
u a man.
G My column was soon made up and "
a moved forward with swinging gait /
t the inspiring music of the Brigade Bant
e We closed up and went into camp wit
u the division. The whole Of Sherman