bɹˈɪdʒᵻz ɛnlˈɪstᵻd ɪnðə jˈuːniən ˈɑːɹmi wɪððə ɹˈæŋk ʌv luːtˈɛnənt kˈɜːnəl ˌɔn ˈɔːɡəst twˈɛnti fˈaɪv, wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd sˈɪksti θɹˈiː, ænd wʌz plˈeɪst ɪn kəmˈænd ʌvðə tˈɛnθ tˌɛnəsˈiː kˈævəlɹi.
Bridges enlisted in the Union Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel on August 25, 1863, and was placed in command of the 10th Tennessee Cavalry.