The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04

me that be had not the least idea that he would
be called on TO surrender. The last words he
said TO me on Sunday evening was: IL Is
foolish undertaking." referring 10 the cavalry
going out Of Harpcr's Ferry. As our Surgeon,
Nelson ID. Furguson now living at Carthage,
N. T., was left at Harper's Ferry 10 take care
Of the sick aud wounded. inquired about Gen.
Miles after the surrender. He told me that the
General was carrying the white flag when he
was wounded, aud &c was about the last ball
fired into Harper's Ferry that took the Gen.
erals leg Off aud that he lived but short time.
Being well and personally acquainted with
Miles, could never think otherwise than that
he was true 10 our flag. IL Miles had had has
way, Harper's Ferry would have been evacu-
ated week before IL had 10 surrender; but my
understanding is that he was ordered 10 hold
liRrper's Ferry to the last
Let as now look at Harper's Ferry in mill
tary point Of view. Bolivar Nights are on the
north, Loudoun flights on the south, and Mary
land Nights on the cast As soon as Loudoun
flights were taken Harper's Ferry was lost and
I'M one hour the Johuuies could have plowed
every inch of ground IN IIarpeT's Ferry. They
could drop shot or shell on every inch Of
ground, for all we still held Bolivar aud Mary
land flights. The artillery on both OF those
nights could not protect the poor Nanks in the
valley. To my certain knowledge, Gen. jack
son gave strict orders 20 his artillery on Lou
dOun flights not TO drop shell into Harpers
Ferry, as he had particular regard for the
cavalry horses then at the Ferry, and he wanted
them. lie did not get them. all the same.
Now, il Gen. Miles had received orders on
Saturday or Sunday 10 move all OF his force on
TO Maryland Nights he might have done IT,
but il was an impOssibility, with the force he
would have had against him, either TO move
over Bolivar Nights OF cross the river on 10 the
LoudOun side. His only salvation was 70 push
them up the Maryland Mountains, and before
they got up there one half Of the 10000 would
have been killed. ] also am positive that Gen.
Miles had orders TO bold Harper's Ferry until
the last, or until he was reinforced, ms ] saw
and read such an order on his table on SatuT-
day. III our forces could have got onto Mary.
land lights on Saturday, Harper's Ferry would
have been aH empty pod for jackson,
j think in time history will show that
in holding Harper's Ferry Gen. Miles merely
obeyed orders. One thing ! think, however, rs
that Gen. Miles showed very little military
kn0wledge-that was what he lacked. ii he
had asked permission 10 eyacuate Harpers
Ferry and thrown all Of his forces on Maryland
flights, he would not have had TO surrender,
but ilarpeT's Ferry was gone when LOud0un
flights was occupied by the J0hnnies. Gen.
Miles was a man and a gentleman, and a friend
10 our soldiers and j think we must not now
criticize too closely his military record. in
history we fud "A great many places where we
think ~ could have been done better, aud let
us forget what we think were bad deeds and
give credit only for the good, aud say well done
good aud faithful comrade, and when the last
roll Is called for each aud every one let Us be
ready TO answer, am here.
j cannot help but add this after seeing an
article written by c. Il. T., 9Th VI, giving a
confession Of Gen. Miles having received
money. Did the General say whether he re-
ceived the cash or took Confederate 6cripy
Comrades, Gen. Miles never surrendered
/ Harper's Ferry for q compensation. ] think lac
surrendered for obeying orders IL he had had
his way lac would have gone out Of HarpeT's
/ Ferry on the 18th or 18th, at the farthest be.
fore he was entirely surrounded IN refusing
/ 10 let the cavalry hght its way out he was only
refusing what was refused him days before.
And still another communication comes from
COmrade Williams taking up the cudgel that no
blame should rest Oh Col. H. al. Ford; also stat
/ ing that Col. Ford was dismissed but later re-
/ instated. The question is WHO took IL up2 as
/ Gen. Miles did not live 10 do il. lie says he
was there, aud knows 10 as il was Why not
/ let it rest thereg Further, he says; We know
! he was a traitor or a scOundrcl." A good deal
/ to say ii the cOmrade had to prove IL. in con.
4 clusion he says: ] had the pleasure Of stand
/ ing by the gun and seeing the shot fired at hin
I that caused his DEATH" Is there another com.
rade living who was in the war who can Say
I that IL Was a pleasure 10 stand and see one Ol
our own men in blue shot DOWN ! do not
think there u.s. Let it Test-W, Blairsyille
/ Pa.