Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-03
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Tho Surrender of Harper. Ferry.


WAsHRGToS, Sept 26.
So much has been said and written o
late in reference to the surrender of Har
per's Ferry, by persons protesting more Of
less-principally less-knoWledge of thu
facts in the case, that one feels some hesi
, tation in again writing upon the topic, lest
he may be regarded as one Of theft moi
the " reliable gentleman who has been Sc
instrumental in making a muddle Of wa1
news for the past year or more. A state,
ment of facts, isolated from the general
account of the affair, by one who was pres
ent, may explain away some of the preiu-
dice which exist against Colonel Miles,
and tend to soften the epithets applied to
one who, mOrtally wounded on the field of
battle, now rests in soldiers grave.
All accounts agree that the evacuation of
Maryland Heights was the real cause of
the surrender That evacuation has been
set forth as the act of Colonel Miles, that
is TO say, it is made to appear that tt was
done by his orders The writer of this
was present at conversation between
Colonel Miles and Colonel Ford, on the
occasion Of visit by Colonel Miles to the
battery and camps on Maryland Heights.
At that time an attack was expected on
the next day. Colonel Miles spoke of the
strength and Importance of the position
and told Colonel Ford that he expected
him TO hold it to the last extremity. 10
] which end such reinforcements as were
necessary should be sent him and all as
sistance rendered that the exigences of the
case might require. Colonel Ford, in re-
| ply, said all hell can't drive me from it.
know my men will fight, and do not
mean to be whipped out, not man shall
come down to tell you they have been
| whipped away from it. l don't want any
reinforcements, think that you (meaning
Colonel Miles and the force on the other
| side viii have to come up to me for pro-
lection" and more of the same tenor
Colonel Miles answered that he didn't
rhetorical flourish would do much toward
it, but believed Colonel Ford and his troops
would be able to give good account of
themselves. The impression then seemed
to be that the attack would come from Sol
omon's Gap, where Colonel Ford said he
had strong pickets, and suggestions were
made by Colonel Miles as to increased vigi-
lance in that quarter. At the time of this
visit Captain McGrath, commanding the
battery, was informed of the expected at
tack, and answered that he " was ready"
Inquiry was then made by Colonel Miles
as to whether one of the heavy guns could
be brought to bear upon certain points for
the purpose of shelling ont any rebels who
might intrude. Captain McGrath replied |
that he could place the gun as to have the
desired effect. The Captain also remarked !
that his men were trusting out" and he |
hoped that an opportunity would be offered |
soon to take some of the rust of.
subsequently, Colonel Ford remarked to
Major Steiner and your correspondent, that |
he had "looked the hill all over, was sat |
isfed that it was a strong position, and |
meant to stay there;" that he thought a |
small force ought to keep disproportion-
ately large one at bay. 1t was afterward |
subject Of comment between the two listen
ers, that they were glad to hear Colonel
Ford say so, for they thought he meant it,
and would fight.
Aside from these verbal orders given by
Colonel Miles, and the remarks as to the
impregnability and the Importance Of the
position, it was known and acknowledged
by officers, men and citizens, that Mary
land Hights was the key to the whole posi-
tion, and the imperative necessity Of hold
ing them was felt by all. In addition to
verbal orders, Colonel Miles sent Colonel
Ford written order, as follows:
HAEPERs FERHT, Sept. Is, 1862
Cor. FoRD, Commanding Maryland Hights
Since l returned to this side, on close in
spection, find your position more defensi-
bic than it appears when at your station,
covered as it is at all points by the cannon
Of Camp Hill. You will hold on, and can
hold on, Until the cows tails drop off.
n e
Colonel I'd Infantry.
Colonel Ford, it is understood, has de-
MED receiving this order. The order could
hardly have missed him, as the orderlies
were always required to bring back the
receipt for messages or dispatches sent, in
dorsed upon the envelop, and any omission
upon so important an order, would have
been noticed.
After the evacuation, your correspond
ent told Colonel Miles that there seemed
to be diversity of opinion as to who was
for the evacuation, and asked
him frankly as to whether it was done by
his orders. No sir, but in direct opposi-
ton to them, was the reply already re-
corded. Allusion was then made by COL
onel Miles to the conversation before men
TONED, to which your correspondent was
listener, and also mention made of the or
der to hold on till the cows tail comes
of. Colonel Miles remarked that Ford's
reply to that order did not indicate that he
had the slightest intention of giving up
The Hights. This certainly proves the re-
,eipt of the dispatch
The statement has also been made that
Colonel Ford had discretionary powers
Admitting this, which is more than impro-
liable, then the necessity of the evacuation
must be proved. At the time the troops
retired, the rebels had been shelled back
from the woods by Captain McGrath's and
Captain Graham's batteries, which were
both firing as the troops marched down
officers and men who were in the advanced
positions on the flights, say not a rebel
vas to be seen, though their presence on
he other side of the mountain, is not de-
lied.
The assertion that the Heights were not
until the ammunition gave
,ut made in the Herald, no doubt arises
rom the happy faculty of that sheet of
making parts Of two or three stories dove
all into each other. As this is often done
n tolerably wOrkmanlike manner, the |
neongruity Of the narrative is not readily |
detected by the reader. The assertion is
clearly disproved by the fact, that on Sun !
lay the expedition sent up Maryland
lights by Col. dUtassy, brought down
Quantities Of ammunition, which proved
f service on Monday and left some still
,ehind
That Col. Miles was remiss in his duty
n not arresting Col. Ford, and ordering a
of Hights, if only to prevent
he rebels from planting battery there,
s not denied. That he also neglected to :
GRITTY London Hights, and the belief that
was impossible to take cannon Of suff-
iently long range ND the Hiohts- - 9