Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22
0EN. ]. d. GORDON.

burn bridges and generally smash up the B,
and o. railroad as well as the G. and o. canal.
Early made dispositions on the Sd TO capture o
small force OF federals under Sigel at Martins
burr. but failed. Sigel had been warned Of
Early's approach. and sending of all his storep
by rail had promptly re'rcated to Shepherds
town. In attempting to get behind Sigcl ut
Martinsburg Bradley johnson was severely re-
pulsed at Leetown and thrown back upon the
rebel infantry by Col Mulligan, Who afterward
safely withdrew, joining Sigel. On the night
OF the Sd Sigel established himself on Maryland
Heights, With miscellaneous command Of
perhaps 1000 men.
Thus, while Early had achieved no surprising
success such as had marked previous confeder-
ate onsets in the valley, he had nevertheless
established himself on the Potomac by the 4th
OF July. 1864, and become a problem to the
federal military authorities. Sigers occupa-
ton of the heights effectively prevented Early
from using Harper's Ferry as the base for an
advance on Washington and also endangered a
retreat in case of disaster. but notwithstanding
all this his position was a menacing one. There
was great alarm in Washington and Baltimore
as well as in Pennsylvania The PRESIDENT
called for force OF l00-day men from several
Of the states to repel the invader.
THE SIXTH coRPs AT MoyocAcY
For several days after the first alarm was
sounded Gen. Grant was in doubt il the con-
federa,e movement was more than mere raid
sraphed Halleck that Early's troops we're still
in his front at Petersburg. But by the 9Th he
became fully convinced that Early's whole corps
was on the Potomac, and he promptly dis
patched Ricketts, division of the sixth corps bv
water to Baltimore, where he arrived on the
sth. pushing on out TO the Monocacy by rail.
withOu. artillery or wagons. Some dismo unted
cavalry were also forwarded, but performed 10
service.
Gs Il. Lew Wallace, who commanded the mid
die department. had previously picked ND some
odds and ends OF troops aud sent them to the
front as early as the 4th under Gen. T.. BTyler
A few troops under Gen. A. p. Howe from the
Washington defcnses were also sent out via
Baltimore by rail to Sigol on Maryland
Heights. There were soldiers enough, but not
outstanding every effort tho government
failed to concentrate a force of sufficient
strength and efficiency at the right spot to
make head against Early or even to stop his
advance. Hunters return was greatly and I'M
accountably delayed.
Early without loss of time, marching to the
north around Sigel. perched on his eyrie crossed
South Mountain at Crampton's. Fox's and FUR
ner's passes and mored directly on Frederick
threatening both Washington and Baltimore.
To the west OF the town he began to meet re-
sistsnce from Wallace. and on the evening Of
the It'll Bradley johnson was driven back from
Frederick to the mountain pass. Wallace,
with 5000 or 4. 0D0 men, held on in the vicinity
of Frederick throughout the sth. when, learn
ing that the enemy was endeavoring to reach
his rear at Urbana by way OF the Buckeystown
road, thus cutting him of from Washington.
he wisely withdrew that night to Monocacy
junction, eventually taking up position along
the east SIDE OF the Monocacy river, which de-
Tended the railroad bridge and other crossings,
and prepared to fight a battle. Gen. Ricketts,
here joined him, raising his fighting force to
between 5000 and 1900 men. Wallace says his
reason for making a stand here was tina. whilc
he Kept open rail communications with Har-
per's Ferry he also covered the roads toward
time for the further concentration Of troops to
oppose the confederate Invasion
EARLY AT FREDERICK.
Gen. Early and his hungry tatterdemalions
entered Frederick on tho morning OF the 9Th
scizing food and clothing unfortunately. and
levying a direct contribution Of s20O. 900 on the
frightened town, which in his official report
he says was paid in United States money. II
is apparent there Was no rainbow chasing after
liberty" for the 1owntrodden sons Of Mary.
land by the confederates in this campaign.
Here he detached Col Bradley johnson, a
Marylander, with a cavalry brigade to threaten
Baltimore, destroy railroad bridges and IL pos
sible to proceed to Point Lookout and release
some 1900 confederate prisoners confined
there-a very dear project Of Gen. Lees,
though utterly chimericai. Lee had previously
suggested johnson TO Davis q . suitable man
for such an expedition.
Early pushed on through Frederick the came
day. and soon developed Wallsce's position
behind the AoooeAcy, Gen. Tylss On The right