Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 164, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1910 — STORIESOF CANP AND WAR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STORIESOF CANP AND WAR

CROSSED LONG BRIDGE FIRST One of General Kearney's Men Relates Entertaining Tale of Events of svll War. Let me give the true statement of the first soldiers that crossed the long bridge in 1861. The writer was a member of Company A, Third New Jersey, a portion of the New Jersey brigade, credited with helping save Washington, writes Joseph Lawton, in National Tribune. Our regiment was the first to 'cross the long bridge on; the night of May, 23, 1861, at about eleven o’clock and as we carried & company flag ours was the first flag to cross that bridge. A portion of this, historic flag Is still In Aaron Wilkes post room, at Trenton, in a glass case. The passing over the bridge was witnessed by President Lincoln and General Scott. When we got to the bridge General Scott called Captain,

Joseph Yard to him, who was a close friend and had served under him in the Mexican war. The general gave orders to the captain to tell the menl not to make any noise in going over, the bridge. Our company was stationed at General Lee’s home. Mrs.. Lee was there at the time. At the end! of the three months I reenlisted in' Company B, Fourth New Jersey, for three years. The regiment- was tn General Kearney’s brigade, and was In constant and active service. Ata the battle of Gaines’ Mill it was Corporal Joseph Lawton that went in front of the Fourth New Jersey. About three o’clock the regiment went into a most important position for the protection of the brigade. It was in. front of General Longstreet’s division. The enemy charged, but was driven back; then there was steady firing for awhile, when the enemy charged again, but was driven back with heavy loss. Then the enemy stoppedi firing. Major Birney asked me If I' would go out and see why the enemy had stopped. I came back and told the major that the enemy was getting ready to march on our right and left in large numbers. I had before gone into the enemy’s lines over the Chickahominy river. Captain John, son of Company B and four men of my company and my brother are still living as witnesses of this statement. I saw what the regiment had deme. -Theground was covered with the dead and wounded, some places two deep. It; was the target practise that made the regiment so effective. The major went after reinforcements. The Eleventh Pennsylvania came and went in our front It was late in the day. The ! enemy soon charged,-on the Eleventh Pennsylvania, driving them back on us; we again facing another charge. It was then discovered that we were surrounded. We were compelled to surrender. The suffering in Libby prison and Belle Island cannot be told. When exchanged we marched from Belle Island to Harrison’s Landing. The captain and men of the bpats, Walting to take us shed tears to see 3,000 half-starved prisoners. It was like being in Heaven to see friends and the old flag again An officer came aboard and read a paper, saying that there was going to be another battle that would decide If the government should stand. Th* officer called for all who would try to carry a gun. and said the government’ will reward us, the wagons carry our knapsacks. Nearly all the Fourth New Jersey and many more of the other regiments shouldered guns. After marching for a few days we got to Crampton’s Gap, September 14, 1862. Gen. Slocum talked to us as we were ready to lead the charge. We got the order and made the charge. We got to the stone wall at the foot of the gap, driving the enemy away and up in to the gap to the turn of the road; they made a stand there. I was with those who got on top of the cut and we drove the line back. I saw Alfred Hoffman' and got him to fire with me at the officer. The enemy saw their officer fall, and that they were getting a flank fire. I believe that this was the turning point of the battle.

In the Rear of the Enemy.