The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-24

Ferry disgrace, and of the doings OF the Com
mission appointed to investigate tho same.
Gen. White applied for an investigation and
the Commission appointed for that purpose re-
ported that his conduct merits its appreciation.
He appears TO have acted with decided eapa-
bility and courage"
On the 5th of September, 1852, the forces at
Harper's Ferry were posted as follows: On Boil
iyar flights, the first brigade, Col. DUtassy,
commanding, consisting of the 39th, 1llth,
ll5th n. Y, and the 10Th Ind. battery Won
Sehlen's); and the Second Brigade. Col. Trimble
commanding, consisting Of Goth Ohio, 9th Vt,
and l26th n. \. and POtts's battery. IN rear Of
Bolivar flights was placed the Fourth Brigade,
Col. Ward commanding, composed of the 18th
N. Y. and part Of the S7th Ohio, Rigby's bat
terry lIndiana), and Co. A, 5th n. Y. II. A.
At and around Sandy Hook five companies
Of the LIST Nd, eight companies of the s7th
Ohio. three pieces of Potts's artillery and Coles
company Of Nd. Cav. we're placed under Col.
Maulsby. On Maryland flights was placed tho
Third Brigade, Col. Ford commanding, COM
prising the sd Ohio. three companies Of the
LIST Md, detachment of tho 5th n. Y. III. A.,
two companies of the lst Nd. Cav, aud the 9TH
Squadron. Il. ]. Cav.
The first day Of the fighting on Maryland
flights, Friday, Sept. 12 battalion OF the
Both ". Y. and tho I26th n. Y. joined the
forces there and took part in the action OH top
Va Ahb AAnAhAaihs Ahb bhuio bbu. w
arrived at Harper's Ferry from MartinsbuTg
with the 125th NY. 65th H., and the 18th Ill.
Cav. and Phillips Illinois battery. The Sd
Nd. and Sth N. Y. Cav. had been drawn in
from ShepardstOwn. Saturday, about 0 a. m,
the Sd Nd. arrived on the flights, and about
noon seven companies Of the ll5th n. Y,
who were placed on the left near the bat
terry Of Dahlgreus, about half way up the
mountain. Two companies Of the Il5th n.
N had UrcVIDuElv and had hean
engaged in front with the 39th n. Y. The
heaviest fighting took place on Maryland
flights, aud the rebels suffered their greatest
losses there Our total loss at Harper's Ferry
aud on Maryland flights was 2l7 ia killed and
wounded. The rebel losses on Maryland flights,
as reported by Gen. BlcLaws. who was in COM
mand there was 213 in killed and wounded.
Gen. A. p Hill stated his loss rs 80 in killed
and wounded. jackson and Walker did not
give their losses, but each must, at least, have
been as great as Hills.
OF our force on Maryland Nights the losses
Of the S2d Ohio were largest 10 killed and 50
wounded, and the I26th n. Y. next, with Il
killed aud ~ wounded. The Both y. Y. had
ID wounded and the Il5th N. Y. ii wounded.
| tOticiSl RecOrds) The troops had orders from
Col. Ford TO evacuate the flights between and
3 p m. Saturday, much 70 their amaZement. 1t
was supposed that Ford had orders TO hold the
| flights 10 the last extremity, which had not
then arrived. Ford said that he had orders
from Miles to retire from tho Hights
The Commission in their report recommended
| that Col. Ford be dismissed from the service
Col. Miles being dead, they could do nothing
with him except stating that his "iucapacity,
amounting TO almost imbeeility. led to the
shameful surrender OF this important post"
| They also blamed Gen. Wool for placing him
| in command, aud declared that Gen. Mcclellan
could and should have relieved Harpers Ferry.
Col. Ford was dismissed from the service By
\ General Orders, No. 1885, War Department
| Adjutant-G Generals Office.
j never heard Of his being reinstated. Gen
White states in his report, dated Annapolis
| Sept. % 1862 that the conduct as we'll as the
words Of COL Miles was that Of brave aud
/ loyal officer. Several Of the officers testified
4 before the Commission that Col. Miles was
4 totally incompetent and that he was greatly
in fault. Many expressions were made by
officers and men the day Maryland Hight.
/ was evacuated, and after the surrender. that la
was a traitor, and ] have heard since the affair
4 several times, that Col. Miles met his death by
our own men, and J. r. Williams communiea.
| tion infers rs much, as he says he stood by the
4 gun and saw the shot fired at him that
caused his death"
Ut. Williams is in an error as 70 the troops
on Maryland flights; the 9th Vt. aud the 18th
and ll2th ". Y. were not on the Nights at al
curing the lghlihBs Il nc llZlh N. /. WAS not
| i'm the force at all. Evidently he means the
| 10Th ". Y. which was in the Fourth Brigade on
Camp Hill ] would also state to him that
was perfectly aware Of the breastworks OF logt
OF top Of the Hights. rs my duties as n cavalry
| picket aud scout took me all over the Hight.
out rs far AS Solomon's Gap, and even down
| into Pleasant Valley.
have revisited Harper's Ferry several times
since the war. The scenery is as beautiful a,
ever Last September, happening 70 be there
j rode horseback up TO the top of Maryland
flights aud looked the old battle-ground over
| IL was as difficult Of ascent as Of old, and the
features OF the flights seemed entirely un
| changed. The fat where McGraths Dahlgren!
were stationed looked as natural as ever and
| there was the same dense underground and
! rugged ground on the top. Remains Of tn,
slight Notifications could be seen, but all wa
peaceful and quiet. A narrow path not muct
used leads up TO the summit, and progress up
ward, owing to the dense woods, is still ditii
cult on Observation-Disclosures III. NICHOLS
Corporal Troop. A, 9TH Squadron L. l. Cav, Is,
Bridge street, Salem, Mass.