Watch the River Closely

WATCH THE RIVER CLOSELY      © 2014 by Myron Schreck

To the east of the Blue Ridge Mountains  … on the mighty Rappahannock River shore … there’s a place where the fallen are remembered  … for their courage in the Civil War.   Seasoned soldiers were waiting in darkness … anticipating a battle at dawn.  At their small campfires – that stretched out for miles – they listened as their Captains warned …

  “Watch the river closely boys  … and hold your positions well.  And when you see them come …  fire your guns  … and send them straight to Hell!”

Among the Yanks was the Fifth Wisconsin … With the Sixth Volunteers from Maine …  brave survivors of Gettysburg and Bristoe …  bruised and battered, but few complained.   But the Rebels had the Louisiana Tigers … fearsome fighters from New Orleans.  By their firesides — on that fateful night  ––  They were told – once again – to take heed …

  “Watch the river closely boys  … and hold your positions well.  And when you see them come …  fire your guns  … and send them straight to Hell!”

There were sounds from the trees …  you could hear in the breeze …  for the night hid two thousand troops.  Who could say who shot first or who first hit the dirt?  But soon …  all Hell broke loose …

First the Yanks struck at Rappahannock Station …  with a second force at Kelly’s Ford.  Then they seized the high ground over the river …  and pounded Johnny Reb with cannon fire.   All day long the battles raged along the River …  until at dusk, the Union staged their main attack.  Yelling “Forward, double-quick,” the Yankees stormed upon the bridge …  while the Rebels, in defiance, shouted back …

    “Let’s watch the river closely boys  … and hold your positions well.  And when you see them come …  fire your guns  … and send them straight to Hell!”

And before the battle’s end, men were fighting hand-to-hand, while the sky filled with shot and shell.  The Tigers counter-attacked, but the Yanks drove ‘em back … until  … the bridgehead fell  …

By early morning, the battle was over.   And the Rebels in complete retreat.  Over sixteen hundred prisoners were taken in one of the fiercest fights of 1863.  Now the histories will long remember … those serving under Russell, Sedgwick and French.  And we’ll remember still … Generals Early and Hill …  and the men who died obeying their command …

   To “watch the river closely boys  … and hold your positions well.  And when you see them come …  fire your guns  … and send them straight to Hell!”

There are ghosts along the Rappahannock River.  You might see them on a moonless night.  And when the air is still …  from a distant hill …  you might hear …  their mournful cries …

   “Watch the river closely boys  … and hold your positions well.  And when you see them come …  fire your guns  … and send them straight to Hell!”