The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-07-18

is not necessary to General Jackson fame
that the services Of others should be de-
OF credit given to him for that
to which he had no title.
From thesereports it appears that Gen.
Harper left Stanton On the evening Of
the 18th Of April, Immediately upon the
receipt of the Governors order to repair
to Winchester, there to take charge Of
such troops as would report to him. The
troops from Augusta, Col. Baylor's Regi-
ment, and Capt. Imboden's Battery, IN
der command Of General W. II. Hartman,
took the cars by way Of Manassa, the same
evening. General Harper went down the
Valley by stage, and expected to overtake
these troops at some point between Stras-
burg and Winchester. They were to have
been delivered by 6 o'clock next morning
at Strasburg, but did not reach that point
until near noon. General Harper arrived
at Winchester at II o'clock A. NJ. and re-
NAMED there until 3 o'clock, P. M. when
circumstances determined him to change
his Head Quarters to Charlestown. But
one company [of Infantry had reported
to him up to that hour. This company he
took with him, leaving orders for Brig
General Carson to join Brig General Har-
man with such portion of his command
Organized volunteers) as he could readily
collect, and follow. Arrangements were
made with the President Of the Railroad
Company for the delivery Of these troops
at Charlestown by halfpast 8 P. NJ
While waiting upon the platform for their
arrival about Il o'clock, General Harper's
attention was called to a great light in the
direction Of IIarper's Ferry. He at once
determined toproceed with the single COM
pany he then had, the Warren Rifles, Capt
Simpson, to ascertain the cause. After
travelling few miles he met several per
sons on horseback who informed him that
the Federal troops had evacuated Harper's
Ferry, after firing the Armory buildings.
He then hurried on, leaving the troops to
follow, and arrived there about l clock
on the morning Of the 18th. He found
the fire had been arrested by the citizens,
and that nothing more could be done for
the night By daylight Brighten. Car
son arrived with portion Of his command,
and also, Brig-General Hartman with the
troops from Augusta, and other points, on
the route by Manassa.
Among the first acts done in the morn
ing was to dispatch an officer, Capt. W.
A. Morgan, with a note to the Sheriff Of
Washington county, Md, as follows:
Division Head Quarters,
Harper's Ferry, April 10, 1861.
e the Sheriff Of Waszunyton Co., ND.
Dear Movements Of a suspicious
character having been observed upon the
heights on the Maryland side Of the.Poto-
mac, within the limits Of your County
which command this position-ahd being
particularly anxious to avoid all trespass
off a military character upon the soilofyour
State, / must respectfully buturgently call
upon you to take immediately such meas
nres as may be necessary to prevent their
occupancy with a view to hostile operations
against US. Very respectfully,
KENToN HARPER,
Major-Gen. Commanding.
To which the Sheriff replied:
Hagerstown, Maryland,
April IS, 1861.
llcyoa- General Hdgpcs,
Dear SIR Your note Of to-day just
received, per Capt. W. 4. Morgan. Inre-
ply would say, [ viii be on the ground in
person tomorrow morning, and take such
measures as may be in my power to pre-
serve the friendly relations existing be-
tween our respective States.
Yours respectfully,
EDWARD M. MoBLEY,
Sheriff Washington Co., Nd.
This action was reported to the Govern
Or the same day, and on the 2lst, Gen.
Harper wrote, q have effected an under
standing with the Maryland authorities.
They are pledged to report to me any hos
tile approach through their territory, and
consent to the occupancy Of the heights
commanding my position, when ever ne
cessity requires it. 7 have guarded all
the approaches East and West, and es-
tablished telegraphic communications a
gainst surprise"
It will be seen, moreover, from the fol-
lowing order that circumstances seemed
to require the occupancy Of the heights
before the return Of Captain Morgan
Division Head Quarters,
Harper's Ferry, April 10, 1861.
Special order,
No. II.
Brig. Gen. Hartman will detail a COM
pany Of Light Infantry to. occupy the
mountain on the Maryland side Of the
Potomac, opposite this town, during the
night. BY command Of
MAJ. GEN. HARPER,
Geo. Porterfeld,
Acting Ad'jt General.
These heights, as well as the Virginia