Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-09-26

! From every quarter arises the notes oil IN
dignation at the disgraceful surrender oil
HsrPers Ferry. The stupid inefhciency oil
the commander Is csmpared with the energy
| Of Col. Davis, Of the Sih New York Csval-
~, wlo took the cavalry safely out Of the
enemy's reach. The rebel generals were
chagrined at that escape. Besides the loss
oi our own men, guns and munitions BY the
surrender, the way was opened for a ready
escape into virginia of large rebel force
with their supplies. An eye witness de-
scribes the scene as follows:
The surrender uA made at 10 o'clock. A. NJ,
and to Gen. Hill, commanding one Of the divis-
ions Of Gen. Jacksons army.
Gen. Hill received the surrender Of the place,
and shortly afterwards tie famous StOnewall Jack
son appeared on the parade ground, and fixed his
headquarters there.
His first question, after glsncing over the 5000
Infantry drawn up unarmed in line before him,
was, Where is all the cavalry you had - And
on being informed that they had escaped the pre-
vious night, en- mssse, he silent, but his face,
and the countenances Of the rebels about him,
wore look Of disappointment and ehagrin, not
unlike IL at Of rat terrier when be springs into
the barn door only to End his expected prey safely
out OF his jaws, leaving only suggestive odOr
behind.
In truth, the disappointment Of the rebels at
the absence Of the large force Of cavalry they 50
much desired and expected to find. was terrible
They we're terribly cast d1wn, and many Of them
observed that they would rather have lost all the
infantry prisoners than our we'll mounted and
we'll armed men. Only about IS were found in
the hospitals and their arms and horses bad been
spirited awty.
Jackson's cavalry men were mounted on horses
worn down with long marches and stinted proven
DER and as thin as horses ever get and not die and
Of course utterly useless for quick and long march
os. Indeed, such quantity Of living anatomical
specimens never crossed the Potomac before or
since. They we're little better than no horses at
all for active service. Scarcely could be spur
red 10 pace faster than walk when It entered
Hsrpsr's Ferry.
Not only WAS Jackson anIious to obtain at
abundant supply Of well-fed and active horses but
be slso expected 10 obtain the effective carbine
and steel sabre, with the usual complement OF
Colts revolvers, with which our cavalry men are
armed, in order that his own daring riders might
lay aside the single and doublebsrrelled shotgun,
the old, rusty carbine, the homemade broadsWord
and sabre, and the heavy, old-fashioned horse !
pistol, to arm anew With ths more improved Weap-
ons. but the gsllsntry and brave dash Of Col. |
Davies, Of the sth New York Cavalry, who was /
Acting Brigadier General Of the Cavalry, foiled /
bis well laid plans.
After the capture Of the place Jsckson's trains
marched through IL, on their way to the valley Of
Iho Shenandoah. Tney were hurried rapidly along
and seemed to be we'll klled with supplies Of all
kinds. Over $50 wagons, containing one article Of
salt alone, obtained at Frederick, were in one
train. Other wagons contained e.othing. shoes,
mi other articles much needed by the rebels. The
sn'irs train Vas immense, and would stretch for
10 or q miles, and all hlled. The story that
Jackson had but q email train Of wagons with him
10 this forsy is thus shown TO be incorrect.
The enemy found bat few provisions in the
Itore houses as the supplies were nearly exhausted
When the ssige began. The supply o. ammunition
ound WAS, however, quite large, and was eagerly
appropriated by the rebels. All the saddles were
ut to pieces when Il foreseen that surrender
.ss likely to occur. and uch revolverI and sabres
Is remained with the sick cavalry men were put
side.
q SLnng.treets division arrived at Harpel's Ferry !
N Monday, in perfect stampede. The men,
wagons, artillery and cavalry were mixed up ter
IDLY, and all mAdly rushing on to escape McClel-
an, who had 80 severely whipped them and now
hreatsned.t to capture them all.
His force vas greatly demoralized, and If il had
10; been for Gen. Hill. who sent over regiments
rom HArPer's Ferry to the Maryland side to en-
orce discipline, the whole force would have
marched pell NELL across the pontoon bridge to
poipe the dreaded columns Of franklin. The
oroO still greatly disorgsniIed at the latest
cccunts.
A portion Of Longstreet's divisioI had crossed at
be Ferry into Virginia, Ead the others were to
ross the next day (Tuesday).
Jsekson's force began to move yesterday d,wn
he Shenandoah Valley. Whether all go down is
ot known.