The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-11-19
The Harper,s Ferry Loss.


Antietam More than that-it gave the
Rebels the best open gate way from the
trap in which they had got themselves by
their invasion of Maryland. In every
respect, than, it was the worst, most con-
temptible, aud most ruinous disaster, to
US, of the whole War. The Government
SO regarded it, and accordingly appointed
Commission of eminent military men, of
both parties, to investigate the whole af-
fair. This Court Of Inquiry was com.
posed as follows:
Mai. Gen. D. Hunter, U. S. A. of
Vols, President.
aj.-Gen. Geo. esdwallader, U. 8. A.
of Vols.
Brig.-Gen. G. G. Augur, U. s. A. of
Vols.
Major Don Piatt, A. A. G. of Vols.
Capt F. Ball, A. D. G. of Vols.
Col. Jos. Holt, Judge. Advocate Gen.
These gentlemen met, patiently and
fearlessly probed the whole grevious
wound, and have just made lengthy
repert.
The material facts are as follows: Col.
Miles was in command at Harper's Ferry.
Gen. White was present from Sept. L
till the surrender, but did not assume
command. Col. Ford took command Of
Maryland Nights Sept. 5. Gen. MClel-
land left Washington for Rockville Sept.
7, most of his forces having preceded him.
The enemy attacked Maryland Hights
on the morning of Sept. l3. The 126th
New York Closing their ColoneD broke
and fed, and the breastwork on the hill
was lost. Col. Miles was on Maryland
Heights that evening for some hours con-
sultiug with Col. Ford He left between
Il and IL o'clock, without directly order
ing Col. Ford to evacuate the Hights, but
with instructions to spike his guns if CON-
PEELED to abandon. About 2 o'clock, Col.
Ford abandoned the Hights. The enemy
did not occupy them, and the next day
Col D'Utassy sent over four companies,
who brought away four guns and wag-
on-load of ammunition.
After the evacuation of Maryland
Heights, Col. Miles sent word to Gen.
NJ M'Clellan, then at Frederick City, that
unless reinforced, he could not hold out
48 hours. Gen. Mcclellan thereupon dis
patched messenger to Gen. Franklin,
who was engaged with the enemy at
Crampten's Gap, wholly unable to give
the needed assistance, or to give 1t IN
time. Gen. Mcclellan appears to have
made no other effort to relieve the be-
leagured stronghold.
The enemy attacked Harper's Ferry
itself on the morning of the 18th, and at
! s, A. NJ, the surrender was agreed on,
Col. Miles representing to the brigade
commanders whom he consulted that his
ammunition was nearly exhausted, and
they concurring in decision to surrender.
The Commission acqult Gen. White,
Col. D'Utassy, and Col. Trimble of all
blame for the surrender, and praise the
capacity and courage of the former
They find that Col. Ford was given, by
Col. Miles, discretionary power to aban-
don Maryland Heights, but that the ex-
ercise of this discretion was premature
that be conducted the defence with no
ability, and that his exhibition of lack of
capacity was such as to disqualify him for
a command.
Col. Miles is convicted of incapacity
and criminal neglect especially, in neg
lecting to fortify and hold Maryland
Heights, the key of the position, and the
evidence stated in the report concerning
his communications with the Rebels is
such as to raise strong suspicious of
treachery also.
Gen. Wool is gravely censured for
keeping so incapable an officer as Col.
Miles in command.
Concerning Gen. Mcclellan the evi-
dence adduced in the report, and the
opinion expressed by the Commission, are
most direct and damaging. The General
in.Chlef testifes that Gen. Mcclellan, af-
ter receiving orders to drive the enemy
from Maryland, marched on an average
of only six miles a day in pursuit, and
that in his opinion, he both could and
should have relieved and protected Har-
per's Ferry; and in this opinion the Com
mission fully concur.
There will be no complaint, against this
report, of whitewashing. Its array of
facts, and its logical conclusions upon
them, are impregnable. The country will
gratefully recognized the courage and just
severity with which the Commission, while
awarding due censure to inferior officers,
has declared that the shame of the sur
render of Harper's Ferry rest chiefly on
Gen. Mcclellan. For, if he had moved
with decent swiftness, he would have
raised the siege, or would have taken the
enemy in detail, with the Potomac divid-
ing his forces.