The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-14

ing outside Columbus. They had been
moving forward as quietly as possible UNI
til about midnight when they were sud
denly made aware of the presence of the
enemy by scattered Iire from in front.
The FederaIs made a sort of a charge.
bat the fighting was very much at Will,
as it was extremely dark and in the
dense timber 1t was not long before
the Confederates had all retreated 10 the
Tennessee river and began crossing it
by means of 4 large bridge-the same
over which the Federals had hoped to
cross.
1t then developed in information con-
veyed TO the officers. that the coming of
the Federals was not the surprise it was
planned TO be; that the fight up to this
time had practically been as much of a
d9coy as anything else. to draw the Fed
erals on 10 the bridge: for here it was
the Confederates meant to make their
stand. In preparation they had literally
filled the bridge. a wooden structure. with
kerosene-soaked cotton and swept its en-
tire length with batteries posted on the
opposite bank. It was. Of course. the hope
f the Confederates 10 keep the Federals
away from the bridge if possible but
failing in this, II was tne:r determination
that none should cross it. for if the bat
teries could not take care Of any attempt
ing it, 70 ignite the oil-soaksd structure.
was a sure means Of reaching them.
When knowledge Of this state of affairs
reached General Wilson. and while the
ConfederateS were hurrying the passage
of their ranks across the river. he at
once determined to capture the bridge If
such a thing We're possible. Accordingly.
he called upon his under officers to secure
such volunteers as they could who were
willing 70 risk their lives in an attempt
to capture the structure
Colonel Noble FASTENED 70 his regiment
and placed the proposition before them.
urging that men from this regiment sup
ply their demand. Thirty stepped to the
front. Addressing them the colonel de-
scr!bed the exact state Of affairs. in no
way belttleinS the narrow chances for
escape run by the men who once stepped
on to the bridge. But not one of the
thirty quailed
The proposition was. OF course. to cross
theb ridge and capture the batteries that
swept it. The pitchy darkness suggested
the plan followed by the thirty. Pushing
close 70 the rear Of the Confederate ranks
as they marched on 10 The bridge. these
men. with weapons in hands. silently
filed on To the death trap Planned for
any such. relying solely on the darkness
not revealing their identity such temer-
ity had not suggested fse:f To the ~
treating Confederate. who mistoak their
followers Tor part Of their own number.
So they pressed on. close enough It times
to touch the enemies in front of them.
and likely. by the slightest mishap 10
instant discovery.
Such. However. was not the case. The
Confederates' rear had 10 more than
stepped OF the approach q the bridge IN
Ill there were guns - ;:e faces Of all
the men al the batteries and ;hev. sun
posing the whole Fedora, army was On
them. lost no time IN rushing on into the
darkness.
Had any Of Us known how 10 operate
the cannon. we would have turned them
OF the retreaung Zoe and thus havye Civ