The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-03-17
LANDING AT rYBEE IsLAyn.

bridge before they should intercept us.
We had one advantage. Our Inc of re-
treat was through the cotton field, while
the enemy, mounted, must follow the high
way, the longer route. We made as good
time as is usual under such circumstances,
and reached the bridge in advance Of the
enemy, who were not more than 10 rods
behind. Apparently, escape was hope
less. We were exhausted, the cavalry.
men were upon us, and the ferry half
mile away. Capt. Ely was, however,
equal to the occasion. We faced the
enemy and made ready to fire. The
rebels, some 40 strong, hesitated. Capt.
Ely then ran from the bridge. through
an open gate into a field, and in a loud
voice gave orders as follows: Attention
battalion! Take arms! Load! Shoulder
arms! Forward-marchv' While the
Captain was delivering orders to an mag
mary battalion We four men stood at the
entrance TO the bridge, and with leveled
guns held the surprised cavalry at bay.
They did not care to charge across the
bridge i'm the face OF battalion Of in
fantry ready for action. Capt Ely re-
appeared, took off his cap and invited the
cavalrymen TO charge. Instead, however,
they turned and rode away. We then
made a rapid march to the boat and has
tily pulled for the other shore. The rebels.
in some way, became aware Of the "Yan.
hcc tEISh We ndu pidgcu, anu lHeu tucy
resumed the pursuit. We We're just out
Of range when they appeared on the bank
of the river. We cheered them Justify,
babe them goodby, and then sang.
Tramp, tramp, the boys are marching
winding up with "OId John Brown
We remained in the vicinity of Beau
fort, performing picket duty, until early
Island. When we reported to Gen. Gill.
more he assigned us to quarters in the
rear OF Fort Halleck.
FORT PULASKI.
Gen. Gilmore was preparing to bonn
bard Fort Pulaski, and we arrived in time
to perform the hardest and most disagree
able work OF our lives. We had to pull
huge siege guns over corduroy road,
a distance Of two miles, through a swamp
that was full OF tangled bushes. Waliow-
ing in mud and water was decidedly un-
pleasant. We were six weeks getting the
guns in position.
Gen. Gilmore had assisted in super
intending the construction of Fort Pulaski,
and was. therefore, familiar with the loca-
ton of the magazine, which he aimed to
explode. After steady bombardment of
"a hours the fort was surrendered, and
with it 400 prisoners. Tie rebels dis.
played the white flag just in time to save
themselves and the fort from being blown
up, as shot and shell were beginning to
| strike perilously near the magazine. A
friend living near me, an ex-Confederate
was one Of the prisoners. We often get
together and discuss various incidents con.
| nected with the fall Of Fort puiaski. After
the reduction Of the fort the Wandering
Regiment occupied Goat Island.
WILMINGTON ISLAND.
On the 10Th Of April seven companies
about 400 strong, embarked i'm the steamer
Honduras for Wilmington Island. Upon
our arrival, we Immediately disembarked
one-haif Of the men going UP one side Oi
Turner's Creek, and the other half up the
other side. Unexpectedly the companies
| on the right encountered the 18th Ga, SOC
| strong, armed with Enfield rifles. An en-
gagement lasting two hours resulted in
our 200 men putting 500 Georgians to
flight. They left on the field IL killed
and "a wounded.
Had not Lieut-Col. Graves displayed
superior generalship, think the Georgians
| would have been the victors. Our posi-
ton was behind a hedge fence, our con
cealment being such that the enemy coult
not know our strength, nor could we tel
/ how many Georgians were disputing oul
right OF way. With the hedge fence in
| teryening, We shot at each other for aY
hour and half. neither party having an,
inclination to advance. Lieut.-Col. Grave.
then organized two small divisions, and
leading one himself, and placing the othe
under command Of one Of the Captains
executed double flank movement. Whei
an unexpected aud deadly fire was Opene.
upon both TANKS, the enemy thought W,
had received reinforcements, and then the,
''skedaddled."
/ sEcEssIoNvILLE.
On June 10. the 9Th Mich, 7th Conn.
18th Mass, 10th N. Y, 10Th N. Y, ans
iC0th Pa, commanded by Gen. Stevens
ignally distinguished themselves in til.
assault upon the works at SecessionyiIle
| N James Island. Strict orders had beer
issued for Us to maintain absolute silence
| when advancing over q narrow striD o
land, about 200 yards wide, there bein,
b0ggy ground on either side. There wa,
an abatis In our front and aIso = ditcl