By the timely arrival of this battalion the bridge was saved with but little damage except to the roof.
In passing through the town we found several places where amunition had been piled and burnt.
On the railroad near the bridge were several cars laden with amunition, and loaded muskets, all surrounded by fire, and the discharge of these muskets was a matter of considerable annoyance to our men while working at the bridge.
Our advance soon crossed to the opposite side of the stream, even before the flames were extinguished.
Captain Rankin was left to complete the work.
The enemy had made a halt a short distance beyond and in plain view of the bridge seeing that they had been foiled in their attempt to burn the bridge, now commenced firing their amunition in heaps all along their line and their main column began to move leaving a few skirmishers in the rear, but not however, without receiving a few shots from the 4th regular battery which was attached to our brigade.
The fire being put out on the bridge and every thing being in readiness, we moved on, the 5th Iowa being deployed as skirmishers.
They soon struck the enemy’s rear driving them before them.
A mile further we came to two abandoned wagons loaded with amunition.
We passed to the right of them and when opposite the explosion took place and thousands of blue blazes could be seen shooting heavenward. It was a magnificent sight. A few hundred yards further on were two wagons of the same kind and the same scene occurred.