New-York daily tribune., 1862-11-06

ia kststSrJ'
vsmo our Own Correspondent.
wAsBnaroS, Nov. I, 1861. II
iSow that the Military Commission has nnshea
,Suc testimony is regard to the surrender Of har'
p>rs Ferry it can do public injury to allow some
Of the facts with regard to that transaction to be
known.
From the statements Of officers summoned to give
Evidence before that Commission, and from other
sources. we have collected the following, which We
,y,k viii be found the fullest history yet given OF
tl,is entire transaction:
Early in September it appears that Gen. Wool
,oee;ved srope suggestion from the War Depart
nspt to the effect that Harpers Ferry proper was
regarded ss an udefeneble point and that the troops
,b6uM be withdrawn from it's occupation and con-
eestnted upon Maryland Heights for its defense
These orders were peremptory TO the extent OF
strongly advising the measure, although leaving to
Cen. Wool as commanding officer of tho depart
rnert the courtesy of discretion, as 10 refusing TO
obey in case he felt convinced that the alarm OF the
War Department was groundless. 1t should perhaps,
also be added that the War Department had ordered
Gen. White TO that neighbonrhood, doubtless with
ths intention that he should take command at the
Fsry, he bsing the senior officer at that point.
This intention, however, was counteracted by toe
order Of Maj Gen. Wool that Gen. White shoud
leave the greater part of lis forces at Harpers
Ferry. ur,,er command of Col Dixon ii. Miles, and
himself ,ceed to Mas;insburg with small portion
Of Ills forco-thc greater part being left under COL
Miles at Harpsr's Ferry. Against this arrangement
Con. White protested, hut without avaiI-Gen.
Wool taking the responsibility Of considering Har
pels Ferry defensibe, snd retaining the troops
lhere in It's occupation.
The day after the army of Gen. Mcclellan left
Washington on it's march TO drive Lee out Of Mary
land the War Department notified Col. Miles that
Gan. Mcclellan was marching 10 his relief, and
would be M in abundant time TO reGuforce and pro-
tect bis post, and that under all circumstances the
po,s was TO be held to the latest moment. This dis
patch, us we have heard from officers of Col. Miles
staff was couched in the strongest terms and astured
Co} Miles, who appeared fearful that the Govern
Mcnt h.d eonde emned him in advance for hls part In
theldisaster Of Bull Run, that the Department was
now kindly disposed toward him, ard would give
him the utmost credit in any defense that he should
be able 10 make. TO this Col. Miles replied thank.
ing fhs War Department for lis confidence, and
giving assurance that the place should be held TO tic
u,lermost.. lie Also added that the enemy was then
advancing upon him from Winchester. Three days
Later b. reports himself ready repel attack al
though made by 90, 900 men, but ADDS that lie loes
nosexpect 70 be attseked and ii may have beer
thpasarares which luIled Gen. Wool into tie fslse
seai,y which prevented his obedience to the orders
ofjhe War Department
s Or tho I'LL of September Gen. McClcran WHOSE
ieaiqrarce were iiea at Rockville. wrote 10 th'
VS. osm,iaeni q sing tlat The lic,Gf ten ter
sand iaen then uuGer tue command Of Col. Miles 81
Harper Ferry should be crder.dto join Lin inne
d;asly Aid lbas help ~ swell the force Of lie arul
si lie Potomac. If besieged they ureies,
where ,hev ,heu Wee eni in danger, int by jyinp;
b., ,hey iaisi cave themselves and make ts vic
tory narc secure. TO this the obvious was
tLas ss from his statement ii the garrison was he
seiped, The only way by which the junction desire
ccrld be effected, would be fer Cen. Mcclellan
cut his way through the beteging forces and el.ct
function viii Col. Miles, j. being added as 3 m4,te
oil course that ihe moment this junction was e.lso-e
n Col Niles, FROM 1he necessities of war, wOuld
n peDsicrscd flom the Department of G.n. Wool al
pIas "a under Gen. McClelan's command.
These sugge.iions earnestly reiterated b
Gen McCisi.an and CO.. Niles received instruction
% obay al orders from Gen. Mcclellan, with Motif
cation that Gen. Mcclellan was marching to his re
Hof aad with Instructions to do bis bes, 10 ec-opefa
viii he relieving army and force Issslge tbroug
abe bctiesed lines. 70 jon II Cieilau on the line 0
Ae Monocscy.
Ga the l4,h OF September, Gen. Mcclellan sem
report TO the Secretary Of War that Col. Miles wa
ther closely besisgod and 10 serious danger but ths
iu McClelisn's judgment lie coud yet hold out Il
two days, aud pronio war given in the most cner
gsio form to relieve lin If they held out even 70
one day. Gtn McClean's army then being nainl
=. rr44crixs and said 20 be moving toward and (
tie rcisi OF lie Ferry. That Gen. Mcclellan wa
fully aware, OF should have been aware Of II.
critical situation Of Herper's Ferry. is proved by Il
fsct :bat this faIe Communication announced tha
while CO.. Mics still reaiusd possession Of Harper
feiTy aud Loudon Hights, the enemy possessed Mary
srd Highs, position from which their cannon com
etey Cd the iYeOps in tho Ferry and aoains
xlich the foitifea.ions erected on Loudon Hight
were sbsolniely valreless. On the 18th Of septs N
teI Cd. A. Voss Of the 18th llliuois Cavalry, wh
bad suececjsd TIE night before in escaping from
Itarpsrs Ferry-wlrch spFesrs to have been yer,
irspoffeoay beseeed, and with full conn uhieetion.
oTev 10 the resr-Iepors from PeDnsyivani;
sh-t, when he ieft Harpers Feffy, Col. Miles hal
feen in hourly expectation Of receiving the prom
'sea regnioicements, and that Oh tbs day previous
~ iis way TO Peursylyeuia, he Lad heard farioal
x .uoua4iug al day loag. On the sano day, the
%4f Department IeleSTaphed this report Of Col
Nsss 10 Gen. Mcclellan, urging. ia the strongest
Manrer that achievements 10 the Fcrry be sent o,
"Sse az a wac known that Tie enemy had planted
CANON on Maryland Higbts, end ing tba:
tb.te iethDrCc.re eutb Lad bsen f,tyurl IN t'o