davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
nv

men in the Shenandoah valley and in front OF
Washington, the farthest command hardly
more than seventy-fye miles from the capital
yet in three distinct military departments,
totally independent Of each other.
Consequently, on the 26th Of June, 1862,
these various commands were consolidated into
one. designated the Army of Virginia, and
Major General John Pope placed in command
Pope had distinguished himself in the west at
New Madrid, Island No. Ten. and before Co
rinih under Halleck. He was a military figure
and fully enjoyed the confidence of the public
and tie Washington authorities.
Gen. Pope's task was TO defend Washington
and make such diversions as were warranted in
aid Of the important operations in progress
against Richmond But as a matter of fact
there was to be an early and unexpected modif-
cation OF his original plans. caused by Me-
Clellan's disasters on the peninsula. which be-
gan tho very day OF Pope's assignment. After
McClellsn's retreat and essential collapse at
Harrisons Landing. pursued by tho forces
under Gen. II. u. Lee, Pope's imperative bust
ness was to demonstrate so effectively as TO Sc
cure McCieilan's unmoles;cd withdrawal from
the James-whch the government had deter
minsd upen-aad in season 70 anits with his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
Sykes division and two brigades of Reynolds
THE BATTLE OVER.

sykes division and two brlgades OF Reynolds
division
THE BATTLE OVER.
After the most desperate fighting Long
streets efforts to carry the Bald Hill ana Henry
House lin were finally repulse5 bv the fed
erals about nightfslI, and before he could
make new dispositions for a renewal OF the at
tack darkness SC. in. and the second battle of
Bull Run was over.
The heaviest Fl lifting on this front occurred
near the Henry house. on ground where the
confedcrates lee and Barlow were killed on
1.-THE 2iss OF Jnly. 1851. Gen. Gibbons Iron
brigade ana another OF SchurZs division held
this point until two hours after night. while
the balance OF the army WAS Withdrawing across
Bull run to Centerville. Pope's retreat was
made in measurably good order.
One day later. September |. Lee moved
to outfiank Pope's right by way of the Little
River turnpike. and get between him ami
Washington. This effort was defeated at the
battle of Chantilly. or Ok Hill, some two miles
northeast of Ccnterville. where Jackson's ad-
vance was stopped by the divisions Of kearny
and stevens. Both these generals were killed
in the action. The Union army was then with
drawn TO the dofenses in front of Washington,
and Pope relieved from command. being
superseded by Mcclellan.
Pope's losses from August 16 to September
are officially reported at La killed, S452
wounded and 4,2G3 prisoners-total. 1862
II Is difficult to arrive accurately at the confed-
crate loss. Surgeon Guild states thesr killed
and wounded on Manassas plains" at pa.
but Longstreet reported his loss IN killed and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20


and the passage disputed By Gen. Franklin.
Jack .ol. opened w.:h a terrific fa.i!laIe % ar
tiiiery. which maintained all day. infiIct-
ing some l,-s on thu fcderais But all hrs at
tcmpt- 80 cross in force were frustrated bv
Franklin. who persistently held the line of
" aite Oak swamp creek uHtl nlghtsaii. lie
reports that then, observing tls; all the wagon
tT.ins wer. well away. ne assumed the respOn-
siti'itv Of withdrawn, toward Malvern iiIlI
Tire los was small on both stiles. Gen. Jack
son blvouacked on the north si.ie. crossing
over nex; morning.
Gen. Lee admit- that jackson failed 20 force
. passage here and thus come IN on the rIgs.i
snd rear of the federal lines ut Glendale con-
froaun. LOns-trcet aud Hill and covering the
passage Of the trains down the Quaker road 10
the James. While this contest was going on be-
tween Jackson and Franklin N The swamp
Ilng-treet aud A. =. Hill. about noon of IA,
JJth. developed the felerals ia position across
the Long Bridge road waiting for them. Jack-Or
10 cooperate from the north. and Ma
IrudsT. Huyer and Holmes b. the New Market
road. further south
Hearing the boom Of Jackson's artillery bat
tie In the swamp. AMI mistaking some hrIag 70
the south for Iugers advance. Longstreet
pressed forward To a general attack about p.
M He struck the corps Of sumner and ileint
ze!man aud MeCaIls DIVISION the latter pOsio
somewhat out Of position. IN advance of the
others Mccall was attacked in mas-c,
end after a contest lasting two hours Wa.
broken and routed before assistance was rem
dercd. IN spite OF the splendid conduct OF
most OF his troops. About /. POD %. h.. men
we're captured and sever4! pieces Of artillery
lot. Mccall himself being among the prisoners
bv an accident. While pressing forward after
Mccall the eXultant eoGfederates were caught
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

the general public thought Pope was misused
man.
This movement reunited the two federal ar
mics that under separate heads had for nve
months been impotently operating from differ
ent bases on exterior lines against a common
enemy. BY superior generalship, on inner and
shorter lines. Gen. Lee had easily concentrated
on first one and then the other and defeated
both. change of policy was an absolute
necessity to federal success. BY direction of
President Lincoln Gen. Mcclellan, who still
retained tie enthusiastic confidence of the
army, on September again assigned to
the command of the federal forces. There
was a feeling in Washington tina. Mcclellan
had not been acting in good faith toward Pope,
and his reassignment was bitterly opposed by
many in high place, but in the state of the
army, with the enemy at the doors of the cap
ital. the President wisely thought he was the
proper man for the occasion.
Gen. Lee. emboldened by his successes, de-
termined to cross the Potomac His object is
officially stated to have been to transfer the
war from the interior of Virginia to the
frontier, where it was hoped to detain the
enemy until winter should render another
advance toward Richmond impracticable, and
to afford the people of Maryland an opportunity
to recover their liberties" So, after making
demonstrations as if meditating direct attack
on Washington. his columns were headed for
the river fords above the capital.
Gen. d. H. Hill. whose division and that of
Gen. Lafayette McLaws had joined the rebel
army after the last battle, led the advance.
crossing the Potomac at the mouth of the
Monocacy on the 5th of September, and
marching straight on Frederick. A. P Hill
crossed at Whites on the same day. followed
by the other divisions Of Jackson's corps The
divisions OF Longssreet's corps marched by
way of Dranesvillc and Leesburg, across the
Potomac at Whites, to Frederick, where the
entire confederate army was concentrated by
Saptembor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

After reading Lees ordtr. and Thus learning
exactly his adsersaryA plans. Mcclellan seems
20 have been inspired 70 attack and crush the
Isolated divisions OF iOn-strcct and II. III. hil
first. and afterward march 20 the relief OF har-
pers Ferry. Lac on hIs part rccklcssly di-
Vidca his army into four dctachments, strad-
ding n over all the rivers and mountains Ia
that region, seemingly confident thai be coqld
capture harprrs Ferry and It'll have ample
time 10 concentrate aad fight Mcclellan. 10
Will appear that the fedora! general not only
failed 90 crush has enemy IN detail. but also lost
harpers Ferry. whereas the confederate Was
completely successful m all his calculations.
On the iath the fodorsls had reached
South noun tam AZ Turner'S Gap. where late IN
the afternoon Hooker and Reno ran mp against
ID. H. Hill. who defended the pass tenacIousiy
with inferior numbers. though strongly posted
Reno on the left and Hooker on the righs did
some OF the most brilliant fighting of the var.
the Iron brigade under Gen. Gibbon. IN the
center. fighting along the pike. up the noun
tam side. and driving the enemy until darkness
stopped their advance. But IL was SLOW work
pushing the consederates mp hill from behind
stone fences aud when night closed the led
erals were still some distance below the main
pass. Gen. Reno was killed just before dark.
Meanwhile Longstreet had been hurried back
from Hagcrstown 20 the assistance OF Hill,
arriving about o'clock. but he Was unable TO
stay the federal pressure. However. Lee had
gained day aud was mOmcutarily expecting
the announcement o. the surrender OF Harpers
Ferry. 50 that night between IL aud o'clock,
leaving has dead. lac abandoned South mountain
snd fell back behind Antietam creek. Frank
Inns cOrps was doing a little business OF its own
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

in an eligible position for defc nse or to re-
treat still further. and to connect quickly
with Lonsstreet, who was pushing by forced
marches to reinforce him via Thoroughfarc
Gap.
Hill moved north BY Blackburn's ford across
Bull run TO Centeryille, and thence down the
pike 20 near Stone bridge. Ewcll bivouacked
near Bull run. which he crossed at daybreaA
next morning at Blackburn's, striking across
the country on the north side toward the west.
reaching the pike and recrossing to the south
side over Stone bridge. rejoining Talieferro on
the old Bull Run battlefield. to which point
the latter had marched directly the night be-
fore by the Sudley Springs road.
These two divisions, drawn back from the
pike, extended well toward Groveton-parallel
with the pike and facing south-within three
miles of the point where Longstreets road
entered it at Gainesville. from the direction of
Ihorougbfarc. A. =. Hills division remained
north OF Bull run, about Sudley's ford. until
near noon OF the 2Sth. when it crossed and took
position on the left of Jackson's line. which
extended along an old railroad cut from Sud!ey
Springs to near Groveton. 1t is proper to re-
mark here that Jackson made no other move
ment until the battles all over.
While jackson was concentrating on the old
EuI Run battlefield which he knew SO we'll.
Mcdowell and SigeI. with 10000 men, were
leisurely advancing along the very same turn
Pike from the west, directly toward his posi-
ton. In brief. on the morning of the 2Sth
there were not less than $4,000 Union soldiers
within easy striking distance of the isolated
confederates, with the two corps of Mcdowell
ana Sigel holding the road between Jackson
and Longstree:'s advancing columns. but all
totally unaware of the formers whereabouts
1t looked chilly for Jackson, with Longstreet
eighteen hours away. and no wonder Pope ex-
uited in the prospect of bagging or at least
badly whipping him before Lee could come up
GEN PoPE's OPPORTUNITY
Had Pope been well informed of the
enemy's movements as he should have been,
he would undoubtedly have marched on
Gainesville, the key of the situation, with all
his forces, and by 10 o'clock of the 2Sth at
tackled the right flank of Ewell and Taia-
ferro-fiill was not yet up-with overwhelm-
ing numbers and driven them off the field or
captured them. twenty-four hours before Long
streets arrival. But he did nothing of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

AuJUTAST GENERAL COOPER. e. $ A.
and easily maintained their ground. repUlsing
every attack. sumner reports that the fight
continued until dark. when beat the
enemy signally and drove them from the field. >
Aud he SAYS he would have dealt them crush
az blow but for Iteintzelnan's detection. TIE
losses were only 500 or 600 on each side. though
NaSruder. in IA windy report. estimated the
federal loss at 3 900. and claims that be drove
III, IN throughout the actor. II il TO be noted.
however. that sumner gained his Object. which
unmolested retirement across White Oak
swamp. (fen. Richardson's division bringing
M the rear and destroying the bridge at 10
a. N. the .eXt DAY. = large hospital contain
lug , so sick and wounded and their medical
stores was here left to fall into the enemy 5
hands.
Thus the main step in the change Of base was
accomplished. ere the rebel army could again
he concentrated Gen Lee found himself in
Inneh the same position Of Mcclellan in the
Pair Oaks and Games Mill affairs-his army
on both sides Of the river. the larger part on
the wrong side. imPotent Tor decisive work II
the critical time. IA soon Mcclellan :
H!e-isn vas penetrated. on the 2gth Lee had
ordered Longs,reet and \. 7. Hill backacrO
the Chickahominv nj Nv bridge. They were
20 follow the New Bridge road toward Rich
Iu0nI 10 the Int, rsecIion of cross road lead
lug into the DarbytOwn road. thu. carrying
'hem around the head and the westward OF
White OAK swamp. aud bv the last named road
down 10 the neighbDrnoOd OF Glendale. the
new federal front. This was a long march.
Had 10 been made on the 2S,h Mcclellan
would have been Gus Of from the James.
GLENDALE.
Jackson. oh-ing on the north side. finally
succe eded m crossing the Chick hominy at
Grapevine bridge on the 3Jth. too late TO be
a: service to Magruder at SiyaSe's station. He
immediately passed down the White Oak
saamp roads after Sumner and Franklin. lie
found the bird ;es over the creek destroyed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
IRE any decisive results.

HeintZeman and Reno got across Bull run
from Centerville toward noon. Pope had or.
dered Mcdowell back from Manassas. Por-
ter to come in on the rebel right near Grove
noon awaiting their arrival. About p. M. in
anticipation Of their advance. Pope ordered
Heintzelman to attack in front of Jackson's
center and left. Growers brigade actually
broke the confederate center, going over the
railroad cut in fine style. but not being sup
ported were soon driven back. kearny's di-
vision struck the extreme left of Hills line and
began to roll it up, and it was only by the most
desperate fighting with fresh troops that Hill
was able to repulse the federal onset. At last
Mcdowell arrived with Kings division, now
under Hatch. At this time it was supposed
Jackson was retreatng and Hatch sent in
pursuit toward Groveton. Instead of a retreat
ing enemy he met some of Longstreet's fresh
soldiers advancing to the attack, ard after a
magnificent battle OF an hour Hatch was forced
back. but in good order.
THE END OF THE FIRST DAY.
This ended the fighting of the 29.h, which,
somewhat like that of the first Bull Run. was
Of disjointed, desultory character. But the
Union soldiers behaved splendidly, giving fair
indication of different result had the army
been concentrated and all fought at once, or OF
what Jackson's fate would have been the day
previous. The advantage was somewhat Oh
the Union sluc, Dut aithough the enemy had
been roughly handled and driven nothing
really important accomplished. Fitz John
Porter with his two divisions did not get upon
the field this day; neither did Ricketts,.
Although Pope knew now that at least part
OF Longstreets force was up, he imagined as
late noon of the 3Oth that Jackson was re-
treating. again deceived by the readjustment
backward Of the confederate lines. But Jack
son was awaiting him behind the same old en-
bankment. The federals found battle on
their hands, instead of pursuit, when they
advanced. and it finally settled down into
pretty much repetition Of the previous day 8
tactics. but with the marked difference that
Pope was making a better sustained effort with
two-thirds of his army to break Jackson.
Meanwhile Longstreet had swung into line
south of the pike, we'll around the Union left
| flank, his artillery enhlading the ground on
Jackson's entire front Success must have
| eventually crowned the attack Of Mcdowell,
Heintzelman and Porter, but for the ire
mondous flank artillery fire poured upon their
charging lines by Longstreet which at last
broke them at a time when Jackson, hard
pressed, had sent TO Lee for help.
Lees plan was to drive the federals of the
turnpike their line of retreat. to the north,
and Longstreet. in sort Of left-wheeling opera
| ton, pressed forward about 4 p. m. for this
purpose, while the bulk Of Pope's army was
beating its brains out against jackson's en-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

THE RAPPAHANNoCK.
As usual with Jackson. his operations we're of
the most vigorous character; he crossed the
river, and on the 9th of August had a collision
with Banks corps at Cedar Mountain in which
superior numbers gave him the ultimate ad-
vantage, though the furious and somewhat IN
expected attack of Banks made 1t liv ly for the
confederates for time. The main action only
lasted an hour and half. At the battle of
Cedar Mountain Banks lost 1859 men killed
and wounded and go missing from the Ave
infantry brigades and the artillery actually en-
gagged. except l63 in the cavalry and from
Ricketts, infantry. which arrived after Banks
was fairly worsted. jackson, mostly on the
defensive, lost only 1.276 killed and wounded
pretty evenly divided among the eleven in
fantry brigades participating.
Gen. Banks, in an excess OF ill-judged zeal
had prematurely brought on this action before
the other divisions were in supporting dis
lance, and without notifying Pope of his nten-
tions. The latters first knowledge OF pend
ing battle was the sound of the cannon, toward
which he marched rapidly with reinforce
ments. The confederate advance was stopped
and the cOnverging columns of tae Union
forces. which largely outnumbered ia, Ason,
compelled him to eventually retreat across the
Rapidan two days later.
LEES ARMY APPEARS
Pope held the line of the Rapidan to the
Blue Ridge until the 18th. when he became
aware that Lees entire army was assembling
in his front. Gen. Lee in person arrived at
Gordonsville on the 18th. In fact, the main
object of the campaign had been attained
Lee, perceiviug the innocuous condition OF
the Union army on the James. retiring toward
Fortress Monroe glad to get rid OF so formid
able foe in the close vicinity of Richmond on
such easy terms, and preferring to fight As
900 men rather than $4,000. had turned his
sole attention to Pope. and Mcclellan was
hence permitted to peacefully board his trans
ports without the loss of a man or a g!n.
Aside from the Cedar Mountain fasco, Pope S
concentration and subsequent maneuvers
with McClellans situation and necessities III
view. had been a brilliant success. His ne xt
problem was to secure the junction OF the two
Union armies before ice could concentrate
and force his own army into battle single
handed and alone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

THE PRY HOUSE, MCLELLAN's HEADQUARTERS.
This movement had placed the confederate
forces between the Army OF the Potomac and
the federal garrisons in the Shenandoah valley
Lee purposed to occupy western Maryland and
open communication with Richmond by way
OF the Shenandoah valley, and supposed his
advance to Frederick would cause the immedi-
ate evacuation of Harper's Ferry. Gen. Nc
Clellantlaims that he urged upon the Wash
ington authorities the necessity Of Withdrawing
those troops in ample season to effect that
object, but that personally he was not given
command Of that post until the 18th, too late
to save it
LEES PLANS AGAINST HARPER's FERRY
Lee Immediately took measures to capture
Harpers Ferry. On the 10th he issued written
instructions as follows: Jackson, who had been
watching the line Of the Monscacy toward
Washington, was to move on the Maryland side
through Middletown and Boonsboro', recross
the Potomac above Harper's Ferry in the
vicinity of Williamsport, advance on Martins
burg. drive in whatever force was there and
attack Harper's Ferry from the direction Of
the valley. Gen. ]. @. Walkers division Of
Longstreet's corps was to recross the Potomac
below from the Maryland side and occupy
Loudoun Heights, overlooking Harper's Ferry,
from the east side of the Shenandoah. Gen.
McLaws, with his own and r. H. Anderson's
divisions, was to occupy Maryland Heights and
the banks of the Potomac overlooking Har-
per's Ferry from the north side of the river.
AL these movements we're carried out with
energy and perfect precision. Thus fully two
thirds of Lees army. seeming its prey. was
rushing like tiger on the federal forces in the
Shenandoah. With the other third Lee coolly
set about covering and diverting the attention
OF Mcclellan from this object. With the two
divisions of Hood and Jones of Longstreet's
corps and d. H. Hills division he moved
through South mountain to Boonsboro' and
Longstreet was sent rapidly on the nth 10
Hagerstown to head off a possible Union
movement from Chambersburg. Hill covered
the rear. holding the passes through Soith
mountain in the direction of McClellau's al
vance. On the sth. from Frederick. Gen. Lee
had issued stirring appeal to the citizens Of
Maryland to come forth and Join the confeder-
ate ranks to struggle for their s.liberties," but
u had NO appreciable effect
A'CLEELAN's oByEcT.
MHClaflau,d olrtaef m, sScur~s,~ ~~~-s -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20


Harper's Ferry. Hooker estimated that 60.
600 confederates were in sight, but there was
probably not to exceed 10000. The display
stopped the federal advance on the east side Of
the Antietam and nothing further was done
that day.
Harper's Ferry had not vet surrendered ana
Lee must gain time. He did 10 by bold bluff.
The method adopted. though a risky one proved
to be effective. HIS numbers we're greatly ex-
aggerated by Mcclellan. ever prone TO unduy
magnify every opposing obstacle. He here Lost
nearly two days Of precious time in fruitless
maneuyers before striking. Had be promptly
attacked on the 18th there would have been
only three infantry divisions 90 meet-Hill's.
the one whipped the night before at South
mountain, and the two weak ones of Hood and
Jones.
Not promising illustration of energy on the
part of a commander who had set out 20 crush
his enemy in detail, with 1900 men nt hand
and his alyersary's confidential order of ooeru-
tions in has pocket Mcclellan states that his
orders were TO attack rs ~ the enemv's
position Was developed. but on riding up 20 ihs
front he found only two divisions in po-i don
and thereupon concluded 10 delay giving b.t-
tie. Tins may have been true ss 20 Oh. 18th.
but certainly by daylight of the 10Th he could
easily have been ready, though BY that time
the chances Of success We're already les.cned.
supporting distance of Lee.
On ihe morning OF the l4th Jackson, McIaxs
and walker, AL understanding the vital pecea-
sity OF energy 20 relieve the prscarious slim.
ton OF the army. vigorously pressed opern-
tons against Harper's Perry. From the direc-
ton OF the valley Jack son advanced close m
With has infantry, while the batteries from
Loqdoun and Maryland Heighis played vicor-
ously upon the town.
Gen. Julius White was now the senior Officer
present in Harper's Ferry, but he had waived
the command TO Col Dixou II Niles OF the
Regular army IN doicreDce 60 that of6cer,s
As soon as ne was threatened by a good part a
the rebel army 4 Is clear Niles should have
Withdrawn with ms whole force 10 Msre.s,,S
heights There 1t is probable he cou,d have