The Oxford Book of American Essays by Brander Matthews

Author:Brander Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Essays & Letters, History, Non-Fiction, Classics
Publisher: Gutenberg
Published: 2012-07-10T07:00:00+00:00

THE BRIDGE

When the frenzy of the brief tempest was over, it began to be a question, “What to do about the broken bridge?” The gap was narrow; but even Charles Homans could not promise to leap the “J. H. Nicholson” over it. Who was to be our Julius Cæsar in bridge-building? Who but Sergeant Scott, Armorer of the Regiment, with my fellow-sentry of the morning, Bonnell, as First Assistant?

Scott called for a working party. There were plenty of handy fellows among our Engineers and in the Line. Tools were plenty in the Engineers’ chest. We pushed the platform car upon which howitzer No. 1 was mounted down to the gap, and began operations.

“I wish,” says the petit caporal of the Engineer Company, patting his howitzer gently on the back, “that I could get this Putty Blower pointed at the enemy, while you fellows are bridge-building.”

The inefficient destructives of Maryland had only half spoilt the bridge. Some of the old timbers could be used,—and for new ones, there was the forest.

Scott and his party made a good and a quick job of it. Our friends of the Massachusetts Eighth had now come up. They lent a ready hand, as usual. The sun set brilliantly. By twilight there was a practicable bridge. The engine was dispatched back to keep the road open. The two platform cars, freighted with our howitzers, were rigged with the gun-ropes for dragging along the rail. We passed through the files of the Massachusetts men, resting by the way, and eating by the fires of the evening the suppers we had in great part provided them; and so begins our night-march.

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