My own
division was to cross directly opposite the city. All honor to
the brave men who volunteered to lay the bridges. It was a trying
and perilous duty. On the other side, in rifle-pits and houses at
the brink of the river, were posted the enemy's sharpshooters,
and these at a given signal opened fire upon our poor fellows who
were necessarily unprotected. The firing was so severe and
deadly, and impossible to escape from, that for the time we were
obliged to desist. Before anything could be effected it became
clear that the sharpshooters must be dislodged.
"Then opened the second scene.
"A deluge of shot and shell from our side of the river rained
upon the city, setting some buildings on fire, and severely
damaging others. It was a most exciting spectacle to us who
watched from the bluffs, knowing that ere long we must make the
perilous passage and confront the foe, the mysterious silence of
whose batteries inspired alarm, as indicating a consciousness of
power.
"The time of our trial came at length.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205