The National tribune., 1908-02-06

as fast as their horses could tear. Then,
drawing saberS, they charged on our
boys on left of regiment, who gave back
a few rods in order to gain time to form
against the cavalry, and we of the Right
Wing-my company right center COM
pany-forged rapidly forward to take
them in flank and rear, when they
wheeled and put spurs to their horses
and got back as fast as they had come
forward, with our compliments, OF
course. till they passed from our view
up and over the ridge.
When we reformed in battle line after
crossing Congaree Creek Gen. Sherman
rode up, and, dismounting. crossed on
the stringers and advanced with our
skirmish line, Immediately in rear, and
only few PAGES from our ranks, con-
versing with Lieut.. John B. Bruner, OF
our company. I remember having
stepped back out of ranks as the rebels
charged and saying to Lieut.. Bruner,
Lieutenant, my gun has no lock on it
What shall I do?" He said, "Stick to
it. and watch your chance to get one. -
The General smiled. / stepped back to
my place, expecting, but not hoping,
that some one would fall, and 1 could
get his gun.
Gen Sherman remarked to Lieut..
Bruner that that was the prettiest little
fight he had ever seen.
We continued to advance till we gain
ed the high grounds about one or one
and half miles below Columbia, when
we went into camp, undisturbed: but
during the night the enemy brought ar
tillery down and planted opposite us, on
the other side of the river. and shelled
our camp all night, and till about a.
m. We had no protection, except as we
could dig holes in the ground. Our
n0ntoon train parked during the night
along the river below us, and during
the night Sherman had got possession
of the river two miles above the city
and was holding it. To get the pontoon
train up there, out of range of the
encmy's cannon on the bluff across the
river would have taken nearly half a
day. as the country was clear and range
good. so skirmish line was established
along he river bank, behind trees that
fringed the river, to keep the cannopeers
down as much as possible, while the
pontoon train rushed by along the river
bank for half mile, right under the
lannon's mouth, on the bluffs; but they
could not depress their guns sufficiently
to do much damage. We were in plain
view of the pontoon train. The train
was brought up along the river. unseen
by the enemy, and when everything was
in readiness the drivers dismounfed,
ducked behind their near wheel mule,
and laid whip to their teams, going
across that open space for half a mile
under the lannon's mouth sight not
often seen. Pontoons by, we moved
forward in column, up to opposite the
city, on a wooded bluff overlooking the
city. The Sth Wis. Battery was moved
up in our front. and sheIIed the city I'M
til the pontoons were laid across the
Broad and Salude Rivers. Just above
their junction, which forms the Conga-
rec River, two miles above the city.
stood and watched this battery shell the
city, hitting the State House and Capt.
tol Buildings. but did not see them
throw any shells into the depot or
trains of cars, as Comrade Collins says.
After the bridge was laid we crossed
over and went up a wooded bluff. where
We struck a well-beaten road leading
down into the city. following imme-
diately on the heels of Col Stones Iowa
Brigade. which had the lead across the
river, and down into the city. 1 think
it must have been noon or after when
we entered the city. I always supposed,
and some histories tell US, that Stones
Brigade was first to enter.
We found bales of cotton stretched
across the street in several blocks, on
fire. as we passed thru the city. At
one point We stopped and stacked arms
in the street; the boys started for the
stores, just to see, of course. The store
went to was a drug store; the door
was already open. I had no use for
drugs, or knew nothing about them,
as my mother had doped me with cat
nip teas up to the time that went into
service
Now, Comrade Collins claims that Kill
patrick's cavalry was first 20 enter the
city the morning of the fire" 7 claim
that the morning of the fire would be
the day after we entered, as the fire
did not commence until in the night.
He also says that the pontoon train
reached the river about daylight. I say
it was at least o'clock in t.ie morning
before they run the battery three miles
below where they We're laid. Then 1t
rnust have taken until nearly noon to
get UP there and lay them across the
Two rivers.
Much more might be said. but 7 fear
my article is already too long. No one
can say anything detrimental to Kilpat-
rick or his brave boys. I think the
whole army would rise up in defense
w. NJ. Sampson, Co. X. 26th ILL.,.
| Waynesville, Ill.