The National tribune., 1891-06-25
Read Better than Pension +" on page .
HARPER'S FERRY.
Rhode Island Comrade Has a Word 60 Say
Ahnnt Col. MlIek's G0nrsn.

Rhode Island fOmrade Has Word 20 Say
About Col. aiIcs's Course.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ~. T. W"
Montezuma, Ind, in his article WAS He in
Faulty" in your issue Of May 81, evidently
has not studied the operations at Harpers
Ferry in September, ls62, as carefully as he
might.
Too much dependence should not be placed
upon Confederate reports. Tho writer has
made considerable study Of the affair and
formed an impression from reading Government
documents and conversations with Gen Julius
White and other officers Of our army who par
ticipatcd In the defense of Harper's Ferry, that
Col. Miles was ordered TO hold HarpcF's Ferry,
and had positive orders 10 fortify Maryland
flights lthe key 10 the position) month or
more before the place was invested
Col. Miles did not obey these orders TO foriifv,
and construed his orders literally as regards
Harpers Ferry. instead Of holding Maryland
Nights, without which Harpcr's Ferry could
not be held. There was great lack Of mill
tary ability displayed at Harper's Ferry.
Mcl.aws should have been delayed longer in
bis advance on Maryland flights, which could
have been done by defending Solomon's Gap in
proper manner with artillery, etc.
The defense at SO0mon's Gap was next 10
none aud the operations at Maryland flights
during the fighting exhibited a woful lack Of
capacity on tho part Of those ia chief command.
There seemed 10 be no head or tail 10 the Mary
land flights business. The proper officer or
officers were not present 10 conduct operations.
Bolivar and LOudoun flights were useless 10 US
without Maryland Nights III there was any
dismay 10 Col. Miles at the occupation Of
Loudoan flights by the Confcderatos it must
have come 10 him earlier than Monday morn
ing. Sept 10, 1852, for on Saturday afternoon,
Sept. b. we could see the rebels on LOudoun
flights apparently getting artillery into posi-
ton and the writer distinctly remembers being
under the fire Of those batteries all Sunday
afternoon. IL is extremely doubtful whether
the whole or any part Of the infantry could
have gone out with the cavalry Sunday night.
As one of the cavalry who escaped from
Hmper's Ferry the night Sunday before the
surrender ] should say IL was impossible, for il
was very difficult thing for Us, aud il was
only accomplished by hard riding.
Col Miles may not have been 4 traitor rs he
was 50 charged by large numbers Of the garri-
son, including some officers, but he certainly
had not the capacity for the command and
never should have been placed there His con-
duct at the battle Of Bull Run in July, l5Gl,
was no recommendation 10 him
As the writer looks al IL, the operations M
Harpcr's Ferry were designed or necessary TO
keep HcLaws, Jackson, and Walker from ioin-
ing Lee At the Autictam. Had Maryland
flights been held day or two longer. as il
might aud should have been, that object would
have been accomplished, and the results would
have been more disastrous 10 Lees army. for he
would have been without their assistance
There were Colonies in the command who
should have had charge Of the operations on
Maryland flights instead Of Col. Ford and
who would have held the flights the necessary
length Of time.-WILLIAM ii. NICHOLS, Third
Corporal, Troop A, 9TH Squadron II. ]. Cav,