der, called for volunteers to carry into
effect the general's desire. Many volunteered from the Seventeenth
Massachusetts and Ninth New Jersey Regiments, so the Colonel selected
some from each regiment to go and do the work. Several advances were
made to fire, but our men were driven back. In one of the advances a
former adjutant of the Seventeenth was dangerously wounded.

Finally, Lieutenant Graham, of the Rocket Battery, and now acting aid to
Colonel Heckmann, and Wm. Lemons, a private in the Ninth New Jersey,
advanced under the enemy's heavy firing, when Lieutenant Graham got near
enough to, and did fire, the bridge.

As soon as we saw the bridge in flames the General gave orders to have
the railroad track destroyed. Two Massachusetts regiments, who had been
lying in reserve, stacked arms and rushed upon the track with yells and
cheers, and did the work of destruction at short notice. The rails and
ties were thoroughly destroyed by physical power and the effect of fire.

General Foster having successfully accomplished all his plans, and more,
to-day determined to withdraw his forces from the field, and to fall
back to the first convenient camping place for the night. The column was
got in motion (each regiment cheering the General as it passed), and we
had advanced a considerable distance (probably two miles), with the
supply train, etc. in front. When the rebels, seeing the last brigade,
Col. Lee's, about to move, and some distance from the artillery, took
courage and rushed out of the woods on the other side of the railroad,
and gave the rallying cry and yell that follows it. Immediately
afterwards two South Carolina regiments, who had come from Franklin,
fired a volley and then charged with the bayonet on Morrison's battery.
The enemy were allowed to get rather close to the battery, when the guns
opened on them with canister. Belger's battery put in a powerful cross
fire, and Col. Lee's brigade wheeled into line and did excellent
execution. The rebels made this bayonet charge with great dash and
courage, but, notwithstanding, they were repulsed with great loss of
life, and an amusing and astonishing precipitancy.

Of course, this latter movement on the part of the rebels had the effect
of halting our column for several hours. Not knowing but that they might
be in strong force this side of the river, we made every preparation to
enter into a regular engagement. However after a renewed fight, lasting
nearly two