The National tribune., 1891-05-21
WAS HE IN FAULT7
Gen. Nnrss Surrender at Harpsr's Ferry, '

Gen. NilcS's Surrender az Harpsr's Ferry, Va.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The writer Of
this short article had some experience in field
operations during the war Of the rebellion as a
private soldier in the 81 w. Va, eniisting in
81 discharged in CO.
Since the close Of the war lie has been a very
close student Of the science Of military move
ments. Nearly every considerable battle Of
the war Of the rebellion, as we'll as of other
noted wars he has carefully studied. Among
these h Gen. Miiess surrender. lie Is person
ally acquainted with gentlemen of strict
veracity who held high official positions in
Gen. Stonowall Jackson's Confederate Corps
Of Lees army, which captured Gen. Miles's
command. IL their report is at all to be
credited, no Just person ought To blame Gen.
Miles for surrendering when he did. IL is
true his conduct in remaining on the nights
south Of the river is perhaps censurable. but
the published correspondence between Gen.
Miles and the War Department az Washington
left him practically without any discretionary
power in the selection Of position. IOudGun
flights, on the east side Of the Shenandoah
River. was thought TO he inaccessible to the
artillery OF an enemy aud as II was not within
gunshOt distance Of the nights north Of the
Potomac River, or Bolivar flights, on the west
bank of the Shenandoah River il was con-
sidered practically useless in a strategic point
Of view. ID appears from the aforesaid CORE
spondence between Gen. Miles aud the War De-
partment that Gen. Miles did desire 10 with
draw his forces from Bolivar flights on the
Virginia bank. and concentrate the same on
Maryland flights, on the Maryland bank Of the
Potomac River This was percmptOriy re-
fused by the authorities NJ Washington. Now,
IL is very impOriantfort the reader 10 remember
that LOudouu flights overlooked Bolivar
flights 10y several hundred feet. aud Gen Miles
had nothing 10 fear from its occupancy by Gen.
Jackson's forces, only in the event that he sue
ceeded ia planting artillery there. which, as |
have mentioned. was thought 70 be an impos-
siblity.
Rut at daylight on the morning of Gen.
Miles's surrender, to his utter CONSERVATION
and d.smay, he saw - pieces Of artillery froar-
lug down upon his main encampment on Boil
var flights. This artillery had a direct
plunging shot At pOint-blank range 1t was
only the work of few minutes for them to
have utterly demolished Gen. Miless entire
command. He was then at Gen JacksOn's
mercy. lie was cut of from retreat west and
south by Gen. JacksOn's infantry aud cavalry.
To have attempted then TO retreat across the
Potomac TO Maryland flights would have re-
suited in the almost entire destruction Of his
army. for Jackson had already captured the
forts on that side; hence, he would have been
subject 10 the plunging enfilade fire from both
the other nights. Now, what in the name Of
TtaAbu tNulA TIC 10 blt huEftuueT( II Is true
that under cover Of darkness the night pre-
viOus lac could have taken his entire command
out by way OF the Canal road on the north side
Of the Potomac. rs nearly ali his cavalry cscap-
ed that way. By some lack Of precaution Gen.
Jackson had not guarded that outlet.
But, FIRST, at that time he never expected to
see a piece Of artillery on Loudoun flights;
second, he was ordered 10 hold the position nc
all hazards, and remain with the bulk Of his
command on Bolivar flights on the Virginia
side. So that up to daylight ou the morning
Of surrender his conduct was absolutely unim-
pcachable. But suppose he had known the
Canal road TO be open and had assumed the
responsibility OF retreat, lie would certainly
have been court. martialed for disobedience and
c0wardicc, which 10 a lofty, patriotic soldier is
worse than death. il he had done so, lac would
have marched squarely into the arms Of Lees
entire army, then lying only about IL miles
northwest Of him. and would in all probability
have been utterly destroyed or captured If
he had done this IL would not have retarded
JacksOus army from making junction with
Lee az Antictam. In fact, his surrender held
Jackson several hours 10 make parole of these
prisoners. So, let justice be done. Gen Miles
has been branded as second Benedict Ar
mold" but there is not single fgment Of
evidence 10 warrant such a charge. T.. W.
MOutUZuma. Ind