The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-16


were killed. Popes army had been re
inforced by the corps Of Franklin and
Sumner. and no further apprehensions
were felt for its safety.
During the operations of tie previous
week, of which we received very favora
be but not trustworthy accounts, every
effort was made TO push forward supplies
aud reinforcements to Gen. Pope's army
The troops from the Peninsula were or
dered not to wait for transportation, but
to march Immediately to the field of battle
Some of the corps moved with becoming
activity, but The delay of others were
neither creditable or excusabe. Our
losses in these battles were very heavy,
both in life and materials, but as no off
cial reports have been received, except a
brief sketch from Gen. Pope, marked
Exhibit No. 4, have no means of as
certainlng Il cir extent. Gen. Pope was
transferred to another department before
the reports of his subordinates could be
received probably they will soon be
handed in. Most of the troops actually
engaged in these battles fought with
great bravery, but some of them could
not be brought into action at all. Many
thousands struggled away from their
commands, and ii is said not a few vol.
UNFAIRLY surrendered to the enemy SO as
to be paroled as prisoners Of war.
In order to reorganize the different
corps, get the sraggers back into their
ranks, and to supply deficiencies of am
munltion, clothing, DC, caused BY re-,
cent losses, Gen. Pope requested and re-
ceiyed directions TO bring his army with
in the defenses of Washington, which
were then under the command of Gen
Nc Clellan. This movement was execu-
ted on the night of the Sd, without loss.
Gen. Pope being now second in com
mand OF the united forces, applied TO be
relieved. and was transferred to another
department. Although this short and
active campaign was from causes already
referred TO, less successful than we had
reasons to expect, it had accomplished
the great and important object of cover
ing the Capital till troops could be col
lected for lis defense Had the army of
the Potomac arrived iew DAYS earlier,
the rebel army could have been easily
defeated and perhaps destroyed.
THE CAMPAIGN IN MARYLAND.
Seeing that an attack upon Washing.
ton would now be futile, Lee pushed his
main army across the Potomac Tor raid
into Maryland aud Pennsylvania. Gen.
- II is sUu Ia p,,r.,,o l. -
with all troops which were not required
for the defense of Washington Several
corps were Immediately thrown out in
observation at Darnestown and Leesboro,
aud most OF his army was in motion BY
The 9Th Of September. A portion enter.
ed Frederick on the l2th. AS The cam
paign was to be carried ca within the de
partment commanded by Major Gen
Wool, | directed Gen, Mcclellan to as
sumo command of all troops within his
reach, without regard 10 departmental
lines. The garrisons of Winchester and
Martinsburg had been Withdrawn 10
Harper's Ferry, and the commanding of
hcer OF tha; post had been advised bv
my chief of staff to mainly confne his
defense, in case he was attacked by SUI
peaior forces, TO the position of MARYLAND
Highs, which could have been held a
long time against overwhelming mum
bers. To withdraw him entirely from
that position, with the gIeat body OF
Lees forces between him and our army,
would not only expose the garrison 10
capture. but all the artillery and stores
collected AT that place mus; either be de.
stroyed or LETT TO the enemy. The only
feasible plan was for him 10 hold his po-
sition until Gen. Mcclellan could relieve
him, or open communicates SO that he
could evacuate II in safety. These views
were communicated both to Gen. Nc.
Clsllan and TO Col. Miles.
The left of Gen. McClelan's army
pursued a part oil the enemy's forces TO
the Seulh Noun aims, where, on the l4th,
he made a stand. A severe battle ensu
ed, the enemy being defeated aud driven
from his position with heavy loss. Lees
army then fell behind Antietam Greek, a
few miles above its mouth, and took
position admirably suited tor defense
Our army attacked him on the 10Th, and
a holly contested battle was fought on
that and the ensuing day, which resulted
in the defeat of the rebel forces On the
night OF the l7th our troops slept on the
field which they had SO bravsly won
On the 18th, neither party renewed the
attack, and in the night of the 18Th and
10Th. Gen. Lee withdrew his army to the
south side OF the Potomac. Our loss in
the several battles on South Mountains
and at An,ietam was Lac killed. S.OG6
wounded, and 9l3 missing. making a
total oil 1871. Gen Mcclellan esti.
mates the enemy's loss AT nearly 30, 600;
but their own accounts gives their loss
at about $4,000 in killed aud wounded.
SURRENDER OF HARPER's FERRY.
On the approach of the enemy to Har.
per's Ferry the officer in command on
Maryland Hights destroyed his artillery
and abandoned his post. and on the | 9th,
Col. Miles surrendered Harper's Ferry,
with only slight resistance, and within
hearing OF the guns OF Gen. Nc Clellan s
army. As this whole matter has been
Investigated and reported upon by a
military commission, il i. unnecessary