Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-11-11
Morning and Noon Reports
Report Of the Harper,s Ferry Inves
IigaGing COmmiSsiOn.

Report Of the Harper's Ferry Inves-
uRaGing Commission.
NEW York, Nov. 10.-The Tribune prints
the report of the Hsrper's Ferry Military Com
mission, and gives the following synopsis of
the facts ELECTED, editoriallv:
The material facts are as follows: Col. Miles
was in command at Harper's Ferry. General
White was present from Sept. 18th till the sur
render, but did not assume command. Col.
Ford took command Of Maryland Heights Sent.
9th. Gen. Mcclellan left Washington for
Rockville Sept. 7th, most of his force having
preceded him. The enemy attacked Mary-
land Heights on the morning of Sent. 18th.
The 126th New York broke and fed disgrace.
fully, and the breasLWorks on the hill were lost.
Col. Miles was on Maryland Heights that even
ing for some hours, consulting with Col Ford.
He left between ii and l2 o'clock, without al.
rectly ordering Col. Ford to evacuate the
Heights, but with instructions to spike his guns
If compelled to abandon. About 9 O'Clock Col.
Ford abandoned the Heights. The enemy did
not occupy them, and the next day Col. D'Utas,y
sent over four companies, who brought sway
four guns and wagon load of ammunition.
Alter the evacuation of Maryland Heights
Col. Miles sent word to Mcclellan, then at
Frederick City, that unless reinforced he could
not hold out forty eight hours. Mcclellan
thereupon dispatched a messenger to General
Franklin, who wss engaged with the enemy OF
Crampton's Gap, wholly unable to give the
needed assistance, or to give it in time. Nc
Clellan appears to have made no other effort to
relieve the place.
The enemy attacked Harper's Ferry on the
morning Of the 18th, and at 8 O'Clock, A. M,
the surrender was agreed on, Col. Miles repre-.
annIin0 n tha hpi0ado nJara 4.
consulted, that his ammunition was nearly ex.
hausted, and they cOnourring in his discretion
to surrender.
The commission acquit Gen. White, Col
D'Utassy and Col. Trimble, of all blame fol
the surrender, and praise the capacity of the
former. They find that Col. Ford was given
BY Gen. Miles discretionary power to abandon
Maryland Heights, but that the exercise of this
discretion was premature; that he conducted
the defense with no ability, and that his txhi
biIion OF lack Of capacity disqualifies him fol-
command Col. Miles ia convicted of incapaci
ty and criminal neglect, and especially in ne
glccling to fortify and hold Maryland Heights
the key OF the position; and evidence stated il
the report concerning his course with the rebels
is euch as to raise the strongest suspicious O
treachery. Also Gen. Wool ia gravely censur
ed for placing so incapable On officer as Col
Miles in command.
Concerning Gen. Mcclellan, the evidenc,
ad1uced in the report and the opinion express
ed by the commission are most direct and dam
aging, The Genersl-in- Chief testifes tina
Gen. Mcclellan, after receiving orders to driv
the enemy from Maryland, marched on an av
erage of only six miles day in pursuit, an,
that in HIS opinion he both could and shoul
have relieved Hsrper'a Ferry. In this opinion
the commission fully concur.