The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-11-13
The sEarpers Ferry investigation.

The following is the summing up of the re-
port Of the Harpers Ferry commission.
The court acquits Coils. ID Utassy and Trims
HE Of blame. Gen White is commended OF
Col. Ford, the commission finds shat he was
placed in command by Col. Miles, of Maryland
Hlrhts, with orders to defend il to the last ex.
tremity. Col. Fold finding the place unpre-
pared by means Of Notifications, earnestly de-
manded means to fortlfy it. The demands
were not complied with when the enemy ap-
ueared in heavy force Col. Ford frequently
and earnestly called for reInforcements, winch
were feebly or not at all furnished. As late as
the 18Th, Coz. Ford sent two written dispatch
es, stating that unless he had Ieinforcements
could not hold the Nights, and without 9TH
er instructions or relief he would have to abau
don them. A few hours before the abandon
ment, Col Miles was on the Nights, and told
COL Ford he could not have another man he
must do as we'll a. he could, aud if the worst
came, he must spike his seige guns, throw them
over the hills, and withdraw in good order to
Harper's Ferry. The commission ia then sat.
isfed that discretionary power 70 hold or
abandon the Nights was given to Col. Ford
and it believes from the evidence, circumstan>
tial and direct that the results did not surprise
or in any way displease the officer in command
at Harper's Ferry. But this result, 80 much
sion to the consideration of the fact, did Col.
Ford, under the discretionary power thus ves~
ted IN hin, make proper defense of the Nights
and hold them as he should have done, until
driven off by the enemy? Evidence shows
that the force was badly placed. The point
most pressed was badly defended. After the
wounding Of the gallant colonel Of tue l26th
New York it was left without acompetaht off
Ger in command, Col. Ford himself not appear
ing nor designating any one who might have
restored order or encouraged the meu. The
abandonment was premature. Our forces were
not driven from the nights; on the next day, q
regiment returning found them unoccupied and
uumoIested, with four abandoned guns, and a
quantity Of ammunition. In go grave a case
as this, says the commission, with such DIS
graceful consequences, The commission cannot
permit an officer TO shield himself behind the
tact that he done as well as he could, If in so
doing he exhibits lack OF military Capacity
Col Ford shoud.not have been placed III com
nsnd of the Maryland flights. He conducted
he defence without ability. and and abandon
ed his position without sufficient cause, he has
proven himself unworthy a command in the
service
On Col. Miles the commission is very &C.
we're. 1t pronounces him incapable and CEN
sures Gen Wool tor placing hIm in command
The commission is equally severe upon Gen
NC Clellan, He was sent to relieve Harper's
Ferry and drive the enemy from Maryland. -
He marched 6 aaiisss day aoith 1000 men
he permits Lee, with only AZ 600 men, with on
ly swo>th,Ids Of that number in Maryland, 10
capture Harper's Ferry, unite his army and
met him at Antietam. He could and SHOULD
have relieved Harpers Ferry.
Sixteen prisoners Of War were sent IN from
Sigel, and two more from Leesburg.
Lib, ga ID I'd haP n n
sBer charges against him by Gen Pope.