The National tribune., 1884-08-21
IotEt..s..ss..s.
zee and one-third per cent.)

tThree and one-third per cent?
The enemy only took 652 prisoners, princi-
pally Home Guards. In seven companies of
the 149th Ohio 1S7 men were reported missing.
The 18th Md. was not In action, but somewhat
exposed; reported none killed, two wounded
and none missing Our army lost no wagon
trains nor supplies, having none to lose.
IT WAS SMALL ARMY
hastily gathered to resist invasion. protect
railroad communication with Harper's Ferry,
and to develop the strength of the invader.
We only succeeded partially, and that after
desperate struggle.
REBEL OPINIONS OF PHE BATTLE.
The editor of the Southern Historical Society
papers introduces the report of the battle of
Monocacy with this remark: 1t was eclipsed
at the time by other stirring events, but there
was scarcely more gallant fight made during
the war than that in which Gen. Early defeat
ed Gen. Lew Wallace at Monocacy."
Gen. Gordon claims that the result was the
complete rout of the enemy'5 forces"
1t is not very strange that $1,000 men, with
good cavalry and 40 pieces Of artillery lsome
12-pounders), should, after eight hours hard
fighting, compel 8, $50 men to retreat, referring
now to our left wing, with but few cavalry, and
three small pieces of artillery served by inexpe-
rienced men 1t is far more strange that they
did not kill half of US and capture the balance
In 1861 the Southern papers claimed that one
Southerner was equal to five Yankees in real
war. In this instance it was no easy task for
five Southerner5 to drive one Yankee Not
many days afterward we returned to Freder-
ick City, and found 400 Confederate soldiers
too severely wounded to be removed. Doubt
less the whole number Of killed aud wounded
on their side was much larger than ours, they
being the attacking party and in close column.
THE RAID ON BALTIMORE.
During the battle Saturday portion of the
Confederate cavalry, under Harry Gilmor,
started toward Baltimore, but turned north to
Magnolia Station, on the Philadelphia, Will
mington & Baltimore Railroad, where they
burned the depot, bridge, and two northern
| bound passenger trains, robbed the passengers,
captured Maj.-Gen.W. B. Franklin of our army,
cut the telegraph wires, interrupted travel and
all communication with Washington and the
North, and created intense excitement.
Gen. Early army was hindered at Monoc-
acy by the battle till Sunday noon, burying
the dead, caring for the wounded, etc. Mon
day night his infantry were at Rockville, and
the advance column of cavalry at a point
within eight miles of Washington, on the Sew
enth-street road. The greatest alarm existed
in Baltimore and Washington. Small bands of
Confederate raiders were flying in every direc-
ton, making the most of their opportunity
The War Department called upon Pennsylvania
and New York for 12. 900 men each, and upon
Massachusetts, for 5000. During Saturdays bat.
tie, the First and Second Divisions of our corps
(the 9Th were ordered up from Petersburg.
They embarked Sunday arrived at Washing
ton Tuesday morning, July IL, 1864 and
marched through the city TO the music of Gen.
Earlys artillery. Draw upon your imagination
as much as you please, and you viii probably
come short of the
SENSE OF RELIEF AND GRATITUDE
shown by the loyal citizens of Washington at
the sight of the two divisions of the Sixth Corps
marching up Seventh street on adouble-quick
| step, to meet the enemy at Fort Stevens.
Maj II. G. Wright, our corps COM
mander, invited President Lincoln to stand
with him upon the wall of the fort and see
nice little battle. He accepted, but soon Gen.
| Wright regretted his action, for in the battle
one person standing near them was wounded
| All were in danger. The President persisted
| in remaining where he was, and Gen. Wright
threatened to have him removed by force
| President Lincoln laughingly said: You
would look well doing that"
| The Third Brig, Second Div, Gen. Bidwell
commanding, were sent out, and after smart
action, in which our troops lost go men killed
and wounded, the enemy retreated south
west, having accomplished all that he probably
! expected-yiz.. to save Lynchburg, Va, divert
attention from Petersburg, and obtain supplies,
| which he did in great quantity. His cavalry,
| batteries and trains were freshly horsed, be-
sides $500 spare horses and 5000 cattle driven
| off.
| Frederick City paid a ransom of 100000
rather than be burned, yet it was, with few
notable exceptions, true in its loyalty to the
| Confederate cause.
THAT THE CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON
was an after thought rather than part Of
Gen. Lees plan for this raid, is quite evident
/ from these three considerations, viz:
First. His route. Had he originally intend
! ed to move upon our Capital, a much shorter
route would be by Gordonsville, or the gaps in
the Blue Ridge Mountains.
/ Second. The time he consumed in marching
/ ieisurely to Hagerstown and Frederick City.
| His appearance before Washington was % days
after Gen. Hunter had left him free to act any
where.
Third One brigade of the Sixth Corps drove
him away from Washington July IL. This
| could not have been done had Gen. Early had
serious intentions upon our city.
Notwithstanding, the fact is not to be ques-
toned for moment that Gen. Early had am
| pie time to have destroyed either Baltimore or
/ Washington before our division arrived at
| Frederick, July 8, had the purpose been con-
ceived two days or even one day sooner than
| it WAS.
While we were countermarching at Fred
! erick July 8, he could have brushed US away
at stroke and marched down the Washington
| pike, arriving Sunday a. m. at our Capital,
which he could have captured in spite of any
| resistance that could have been made with
troops then available. The truth is, Gen. Early
did not give us credit for being so unwise as to
thus expose our Capital and the Border States.
He saw the alarm and CONSERVATION his raid
was making in the North, and made the most
OF it. There was something deeply humil-
| iating in the helpless condition of Washington
and the border that should SO tempt an enemy
to turn for day from plundering, and amuss
himself by marching up to and almost into