The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-05-12
Firing the Bridge.
youths Companion.l

(10ufh'S C0mpan10n.l
We were at the Rappahannock, says
Doctor Woods in "Stedman and His
Men," and the enemy was before US,
rapidly advancing I meet us. The
river was so narrow that a musket
ball could easily find its way across, but
il served as a temporary line of defense
behind which we could secure needed
and ~rations, and give time for our
Ireinforcements. The river was spanned
by a new trestlework bridge. the TIM
,bers of which our advance guard had
covered with tar. Piles of tarred shaw
ings were also placed along its length.
A detachment of infantry was set TO
work throwing up a line OF entrench-
ments in front of the Confederate end
of the bridge, over which they could re-
treat and join Us.
Soon the enemy's skirmishers ap-
;peared. and before long a sudden fury
was let loose from the cannon, direct
ed at the infantry at work in front OF
the bridge, who retreated Immediately.
The only thing was, Of course, to fire
the bridge. TO delay the enemy. but
such an undertaking meant almost GER
tain death. The enemy's musketry and
.Icannon swept every inch of the bridge.
will any one volunteer to apply the
called Generel Pope.
Not a man moved. The danger was
too appalling: the destruction too sure.
The question was repeated: still ST.
Hence. A third time the general ask
ed for a volunteer, and a soldier step
ped forward, and shaking of the de-
ltaining hand of a comrade, gracefully
'saluted, saying:
General, l will fire the bridge"
General Pope, shrinking from send
ing any one on such a p~erilous errand,
asked the volunteer if he realized what
it meant.
Yes, general, | understand it," re-
piled the thin-faced, nineteen-year-old
boy.
MY brave fellow" said the general,
you will probably not succeed in
crossing the bridge; it is barely posi-
bile you will return alive. There are
three piles of shavings on either side;
the farthest must be fired first, the re-
mainder as you return. There must be
mistake"
Il will neither falter nor turn back"
replied the boy, throwing off his stoes,
blouse and cap. Six torches were
lighted at the blacksmith's forge while
he waited apparently without concern
Three were placed in each hand, and
without a tremOr of muscle he started
Jon a rapid run
Even the enemy, within one hundred
yards of the bridge, ceased firing in
their amaZement at his daring. With
hair floating in the wind that famed
1.-THE torches into streaming blaze he in
lcreased his speed until he had passed
THE center of the bridge and laid a
torch on the farther pile. The flashing
flame woke the enemy from its dream
lof admiration, and instantly the bridge
was swept by a storm of balls. On
went the flying boy,dashing his torches
into the heaps Of shavings. The herce
Imusketry fire increased, and the smoke
lof the powder and burning tar surged
labout him. With swift feet he trod
1.-THE path of deadly peril.
Our hearts stood still as pile after
Ipile vas lighted amid the kissing
shower Of Mimic balls, shot and shell.
The last torch found it's place when
suddenly the boy fell. A dozen COM
trades rushed to the PROSTATE body and
lbore it to safety.
The boy was not dead; he was not
leven seriously wounded, although his
CLOTHES We're riddled by balls, and here
land there a dark stain told of injury.
The men were frantic in their joy,
land General Pope threw himself from
lhis saddle, and g%rasping the young
fellows limp hand, thanked him again
land again.