The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-03
THE RETREAT FROM, AND RE.OcCUPA.
TON OF, HARPER'S FERRY.

We are now at liberty. on the best author
ity. to make public the true motives actual
ing General Johnson, in what the Northern,
and some Of the Southern papers have called
the " Evacuation Of Harper's Ferry" The
General, like other military men Of educa-
ton. had long known that Harper's Ferry.
in Itself. is faulty and untenable from the IA.
cility with which it can be turned. II lies
as il were in the small end Of "funnei,''
the broader end Of which could, with great
ease, be occupied BY the enemy. The heads
directing the operations Of the Yankee forces
we're well aware Of this fact. but forgot that
there were fully as astute heads on our side.
The minute and able investigations of Major
Whiting, Chief Engineer to General John
son. has satisfied our leaders Of the business
OF these views. Ii was well known that
General Scouts plan was to turn Harper's
Ferry By column from Pennsylvania. under
General Patterson, effect junction near
Winchester or Strasburg with another coli
umn Of Mccielland's army passing through
Rnmuey. and cut OF Beauregard's and John.
sons armies from each other. This plan was
completely foiled. and the enemy checkmated
az their own game. as we shall explain.
On or about Thursday, the nth ult., Gen.
Johnson having waited at HarpeIs Ferry
long enough to make the enemy believe that
he intended TO contest that position to the
last. and learning that they were advancing
on Williamsport and Romney, sent portion
Of his force TO Winchester by rail. On Fri.
day he continued this movement, sent back
his sick. &c.. set FIRE to. and burned the rail-
road bridge. and such Of the public buildings
as could be burned without endangering prl-
sate property. spiked such Of the heavy guns
at Harper's Ferry as could not be moved,
and on Saturday moved with his whole army,
marching on foot. in the direction Of Win.
chester. sncamping about 81 miles South
west Of Charlestown. The enemy, taking
this movement, as IL was intended they
should sake il, as retreat. crossed a Brig
ade Of their advance divisions. commanded
by General cadsallader. lwho joined their
forces on Saturday or Sunday morning
shich was moved forward towards Martins.
burg.
On Sunday morning. however, General
Johnson changed his line Of march. az right
angles, and moved square towards Martins.
burg. eacampiag at Bunker Hill. on the
Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike. twelve
miles form Mariinsburg. TO offer battle there.
or advance and attack IL necessary. This
movement placed the enemy 10 "predica-
nent" lie had not crossed his whole force.
aud if the opposing forces had closed he
most have been beaten in detail. he there
fore acknowledged the corn" turned tail
aud retreated, recrossee the river aud evseu.
ated the Valley. retiring beyond Hagerstown.
A Lieutenant Colonel and annther. (membsrs
OF the sth Pennsylvania Volunteers were
taken prisoners during this retreat.
A day or two after this. Col. Hill. OF 18th
Virginia Regiment. in command d part Of
the forces who had retreated" from Har.l
per's Ferry. and who had been pushed for
ward towards Remney. sent forward towards
New Creek. On the Potomac river. eighteen
miles west Of Cumberland. four companies of
Tennessee and Virginia troops. under Col.
faughan. of Tennessee. who found the YAM
KEGS posted on the Maryland side Of the Po-
tomac. Dur brave fellows, IN the face Of the
enemy, forded the stream. vast deep. drove
them CT in the utmost confusiun, captured
two pieces Of loaded artillery and stand Uf
coIors, destroyed the railroad bridge at that
point, aud returned to Romney, making a
march Of thirty-six miles and gaining brill
liant victory, within twenty hours.
Our readers will thus see what Gen. John
sons "retreat from Hafper's Ferry" has
done. II has thoroughly broken up General
Seott's paper programme, destroyed his whole
western combination. and compelled him TO
remodel his whole plan. u our "retreats "
do thus much. we wait with confidence to
SIC what our advances will do. In the mean.
time. we beg leave to recall 70 our readers
recollection The old motto Of this paper,
!" Nous Verrons." RicAmond Eaguirer.
.a6ai, IN Acknowledged Of The Federal
Troops.