No. 96.-report of Captain Jackson, lay's Cavalry (Confederate), of burning of Tuscumbia Bridge, May 30.
_____, ____, __, 1862.
On the morning of the 30th I was ordered in writing at 2.30 a. m. (Copy filed, marked A.1) I will here say I sent this order to Captain Grundy, named in it, who returned it to me, and I now have the original.
I showed the order to the officers in charge of companies with me, and also to commander of artillery (one piece), who was with me. We had rifle pits, and all concurred in the opinion that there was no necessity for leaving so soon.
The under timber was all cleared, and we had a full, clear range of 200 yards all around the bridge.
Captain Grundy's command (1 mile below) crossed the bridge at 4.45 a. m. I then waited until 10.5 a. m. before I set fire to the bridge.
(This was the Tuscumbia Bridge.) I think the bridge, which was set on fire in many places, had been burning ten minutes, when an engine ran up. I called to him to put on steam and run through, as the bridge was strong but fully enveloped in flames.
I immediately posted a man to
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Colonel Claiborne not to fire the other bridge.
He sent word he would not, and, if possible, to put out this one; but by this time the bridge had fallen in and was destroyed.
The bridge man told me he could erect trestles in a short time (say in one and a half days) if the other bridge, were not burned.
After the Tuscumbia Bridge was burned the engine returned to Chewalla, where the trains had all stopped, and then they returned to Cypress Bridge; but before getting there Colonel Lindsay had burned this bridge, as I am informed.
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