New-York daily tribune., 1862-11-10
STRANGE CONDUCT OF COL. MILES
Disgaceful Behavior Of the 10th Ncw.YOfk
CENSURE OF MAJ0R.GEN. WOOL
General Mcclellan also Censured.

The Commission, consisting OF NaloT-teu. d.
Hunter, u. 8. A. Of Vols., Pres; Anjor-Gen. G.
Cad,yalader, u. s. A. Of Vols; Brighten. {. G..
Augur, u. s. A. Of Vols; Major Dom Patt A. A..
@. of Vols; Capt. f. Ball, A. d. c. Of Vols; Col
G. Holt Judge Advocate Gen., called by the Gov.
eminent TO investigate the conduct of certain officers
connected with and the circumstances attending tbe
abandonment of Maryland Hights and the surrender
of Harpers Ferry, have The honor TO report the
following:
On the Sd Of September, Gen. White entered
Harper's Ferry with his force from Winchester. The
next day he was ordered to Marlinsburg, 10 take
command Of the forces there. On the 10Th Of Sep
tember be again returned 10 Harper's feny, where
be remained until the surrender, without assuming
the command
On the 9TH Of September, Gen. Mcclellan, the
most of his forces having preceded him, left Wash
ington under orders issued days previously, to
drive the enemy fom Maryland. That night he
established Lis headquarters at Rockville, from
which place, on the lltb Of September, he tele-
prapbed to Gen. Halleek to have Col. Miles ordered
TO join him ut once.
On the 5th Of September Col. Thomas II. Ford,
32d Ohio, took command of the forces on Marylsnd
Iights Forces were placed at Solomons Gap and
at Sandy Hook. Those at Sandy Hook, under Col.
MauIsby, retired by Col. Miless order to the eastern
slope OF Maryland Hgbts. two or three days provi-
ous 10 their evacuation by Col. Ford. On the llth
of September the force at Soomons Gap were driven
in by the enemy Col. Ford called upon Co. Miles
for regnforcements. The l26th New-York and the
39th Nsw-York (Garribaldi Guards were seat him
on Friday the 10Th Of September, and on the morn
ing of the 18th he was further REINFORCED by the
II5.h New-York and portion Of a Maryland regi-
ment under Lieut.. Col Downey.
Col. Ford made requiston for axes aud spades to
enable him 10 construct defenses the lights, bat
obtained nonc with 10 axes, belonging to some
MARYLAND troops hiring all that could be Obtained,
slight breast-woik Of trees was constructed on tho
I2,h near the crest OF tie flights, aud sashing Of
timber made for short distance IN front OF The
breast work.
Tie forces nnder Col. Ford were stsioned a. vsri-
QUE points on Maryland IIghts, the principal force
being on tie crest of the bill near tie bIeasi-work
and lookout. skirmishing commenced on F.iday,
I tie i2th, on the crest Of the hill.
Early on the morning of the 18th. the enemy made
an attack on the crest OF the h and after iime
the troops retired in some confusion 10 the breast
woik, where they were rallied. About O'Clock,
second attack was made, which the troops behind
The lreasi work resisted for short time, and until
Col. Sheriff. of the 12tth New-York was wounded
and carried on the field, when the entire l26,h
Regiment a. some witnesses testify, oil but two
companies Major Hewitt states, broke aud He'd in
inter confusion Men and most of the officers all /
fed together, no effort being made to rally the regi
uent, eNcepi BY Col. Ford Lieut.. Barrss, Acting I
,n.arS nj ofbar ,,.,ispants
directed by Col. Miles then on the III hts.
soon after. lie remaining forces ut tie brea,;wok
fell back, under q supposed order from Maj Hewitt, |
who himself says thai lie gave no snch order merely
sent instructions to tie captains Of his own regiment
that, ii they were compelled TO retire, to DO in
good or,l,r. Orders We're given by Col. Ford for the
uoop, to return TO their position They advanced
some iisiance mp the Hghts, but did not regain
the brcGstwork.
That evening Col. Miles was on Maryland HiShts
for some hou,e consulting with Col. Ford. lie left
between / and ~ O'clock without directly order
iny COL Ford 70 evscuate the Ilights, but instruct
ing him, in case 10 was compelled to do So TO spike
his guns, and throw the heavy siege guns down the |
mountain.
About o'clock, perhaps little later, BY the order
Of Col. Ford, the Nights were abandoned, the guns
being spiked according to instructions.
On Sunday, Col Utassy sent over to the Msry-
land flights four companies under Maj. Wood, who |
brought of, without opposition, four brass l2pound-
ers, two OF which were imperfec,ly spiked, and
wagon load Of ammunition.
Gen. White on his return 10 Harper's Ferry on |
the 10Th Of September, suggested to Col. Miles the
propriety Of contracting his lines on Bolivar Hghts
so us 10 mako better defense but Col Miles
adhered to his original line Of defense, stating that
no was determined TO mako his stand OF Bolivar
flights. Gen. White also urged the Importance OF
holding Maryland Hisbts, even should it require the
taking tho entire force over there from Harper
Ferry. Col Miles, under his orders TO bold Harper
Ferry TO the las, extremity, while admitting the I'M
rorancc Of Maryland nights, seemed to regard them
az applying to tie town o! perperS ferIy and held
that 20 leave Harpcr's Ferry even to goon Mary land
Hight., would be disoteying his Instructions.
Gen. Mcclellan established bis headquarters at
Frederick CITY on the morning Of the 18th OF
September On the night of the 18th, after The
evacuation Of Maryland Hghts Col Miles directed
Captain (low Major Russell, OF tie Maryland
cavalry, TO tako with him few men and cudeavor
to get through The enemy's lines aud reach some OF
our forces-Gen. Mcclellan If possib,-and to re-
port the condition Of IIarpers Ferry, that it could
not hold ont moro than IS hours unless reinforced,
and to urge the sending Of rciniorccments. Capt.
Russell reached Gen. McClellans headquarters az
Frederick, at a. m., on Sunday The iiih of Sep
tember, and reported as directed by Col. Miie'.
Immediately upon his orriyal Con. Mcclellan sent