Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22
CONFEDERATE FORAGERS

directed Wright to assume command Of the
troops in the field and to Immediately pursue
threatened by both Hunter and Wright. rapidly
moved out of Loudoun county. into which he
had retired after his Washington raid with the
immense spoil of his Maryland campaign. over
into the Shenandoah. Grants first idea as
soon as lie learned that Early had escaped. was
to Immediately draw the sixth and nineteenth
corps back to Petersburg and make decisive
move on that front before Lee could be re-
inforced, leaving Hunter to watch and hold
the enemy in tho valley. But Early remained
still menacing factor in the lower valley and
this could not be done.
Hunter arrived from the west in the vicinity
Of lIarper's Ferry on the I4th and troops began
to concentrate from other quarters on Early.
There were q number of hot affairs at various
points in the lower valley Averell with his
cavalry finally got on to Early's line Of COM
munications threatening his trains. This fact
and the pressure from Hunter theswest and
Wright from the compelled the confeder-
ate leader to fall back as far as Strasburg. But
he sent Ramseur's division to drive Averel off.
Averell met the confcderaes with n bold front
somo three miles north of Win hester and with
the aid Of two infantry regiments in IL brilliant
action completely defeated Ramseur's entire
infantry division.
EAnLY's ATTACK ON CROOK.
On the oath, hearing that the sixth corps had
withdrawn toward Washington, Early suddenly
turned on Crooks little army ut kernstown,
striking it % the flank and speedily routing it.
Tho victory was complete, the federais flying
as far back as Bunker Hill Crook lost about
1000 men, but no artillery. This Kernstown
victory gave Early command of the valley
again, Crook retiring across the Potomac into
Maryland, taking post by Gen. Hunters direc-
ton near Sharpsburg. to defend the South
mountain passes toward Washington.
Gen. Early now promptly advanced again to
the Potomac. but contented himself with send
ing McCmuslands cavalry to levy tribute on
Chambernburg. Pa, or burn the town. The
people could not pay, and the torch was ruth
lessly applied. After q close chase and some
hard blows this land pirate eventually effected
his escape into West Virginia. This Chambers
burg raid caused even greater panic than
Early's first incurson; for time it was sup
posed to be another real invasion in force. 1t
had one favorable effect, however. 1t caused
the return Of the sixth and nineteenth corps to
this theater of action and the determination on
Grants part to make serious job of cleaning
out Early and to give the contract to q COM
petent officer with adequate means.
Grant, with this end in view, suggested Gen.
Franklin for the command, in place of Hunter
who was too old, but to this he received no en-
eouragemens from Washington. Finally, on
August l. Grant seems to have thought of Gen.
Sheridan, and he was sent to Washington with
the suggestion that he be put in command OF
the cavalry aud the sixth corps as a movable
column and turned loose to clear the enemy
out OF Maryland. He also sent two divisions Of
cavalry to strengthen our forces there. The
President himself, seeing the disjolnted, inef-
fective policy pursued against Early, and DEEM
ing himself powerless to improve this condi-
tion Of affairs. telegraphed in answer to Grants
proposal to have Early followed to the death:
Il repeat to you, it will neither be done nor
attempted. unless you watch it every day and
hour and force il"
Grant finally arrived on the scene himself
and visited Hunter at the front. He immedi-
ately directed Hunter to concentrate his forces
about Halltown, although EARLY ON the 5th
had again crossed his whole army into Mary
land at Williamsport. Hunters movements on
Halltovn, however, threatening his commune,
cation, soon brought Early back into the valley
SHERIDAN GIVEN COMMAND.
On the 9Th Of August Grant autographed
from Monocacy to Haileck: s.Send Sheridan by
mornings train 10 Harper's Ferry. Give him
orders 70 take command Of all the troops in
the field within tho divisisA. Gen. Hunter viii
turn over 70 him my letter = iaslsuotiona"