The National tribune., 1893-06-01
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
AT ANTIETAM.
Where Gen. Mcclellan Received Reports
During the Battle.

V,
Generals post at the Fry House, spacious
brick building. situated on an eminence about
one mile west of Keedysvilie, near the bridge
and lime kiln and junction of the main stream
Of the Big and Little Antietam, the latter trib-
utary flowing through the town alluded TO-
whilst the former trends 10 the north and III
the direction of Hagerstown; that is, to the
east of that city.
1t was at this point the advance OF the Fed
eral army crossed the creek $50 called by the
natl es), the majority fording below Prices
Mills the balance across the bridge above. AT
this time Tuesday the enemy had made d
stand on the Sharpsburg pike in front of Fry's
House, but the crossing OF the troops alluded
10 rendered this ground untenable; compelling
Lee to withdraw his forces across the creek by
the middle bridge. assuming positions for the
great struggle of Wednesday on its west bank.
On Tuesday evening Fry's House was taken
possession of by the Headquarters staff, reports
from the line ia front being forwarded to that
spot then and later on. There could be no OBJ
lection to its availability for active operation,
being well up 10 the rear of the Federal right,
and affording good opportunity for correspond
enee with Burnside on the left. at the same
time allowing an unobstructed view of the
center.
am particular in thus describing the rea-
sons and good judgment those officers whether
the General or bis staff displayed in max
ing the selection, as from these facts arise
the absurdity of what followed years after the
event took place and suggested by the princi-
pal actor in the affair.
But whether accidental or from a motive of
malice, the rrmor went abroad after the battle
that McClell.n's Headquarters were situated
on mountain five miles away from the fight
ing; eovertly limiting to that officers anxiety
in avoiding unpleasant injuries from wander
ing and indiscrminate shooting. No doubt
these rumors sank deep in the amor prOpre of
Mcclellan, and with many other such stories
embittered his feelings toward those whom he
supposed his enemies during the war.
A truly great mind would pass over the SCOTS
and jeers of the outside world as so much
chat; an attribute, unfortunately for himself,
the General did not possess, although enemies
and friends must admit his ability.
McClellan's retreat from Richmond to Har-
rison's Landing, eXtricating his army out of
the clutches of an able adversary, backed by
superior" numbers, will ever stand as a
monument of military genius.
Participating as an officer of humble rank in
that campaign, / have yet to learn of any supe-
rior achievement in the written history of the
late war, having closely studied them all.
When those now in existence who bore arms
from '61 to IS, whether the gray the blue,
have passed away and no participant of the
contest exists to csvil at or dispute any asser
lions or descriptions of the struggle, then CON-
mon estimation will single out the remarkable
features of the civil war-McClellan will be
allotted his share of posthumous praise, his
shortcomings forgotten. His petulant indig-
nation at the voice of rumor was made re-
markably apparent but short 5ifne prior to
his decease. inducing him 20 resort to paltry
subterfuge. in this very particular in regard TO
his Headquarters at Antietam, which were un-
doubtedly al Fry's House.
The mountain alluded to as five miles away
from the fight is small spur running north
from the so-called Maryland flights which
overshadow Harper's Ferry. This mountain
better known by its local cognomen as Red
Hill-extends from point near Keedysville,
running south perhaps three miles in length,
passing about three fourths of a mile east of
the lower or Burnside's bridge. Midway on
top of this hill about half an acre of woods
was cleared away, and here was planted the
signal station-being plainly in sight from
Fry's house. where a telescope mounted
tripod easily read the signaling in description
Of the enemy's movements. This spot is that
which the busy tongue of Rumor singled out
SIS McClellan's Headquarters. / doubt much
II he was up there during the 18th. but those
who pretend to know speak of his looking at
BIS retreating antagonists from that point on
the 18th. II such were the case. could inspira-
ion have Swallowed him TO order his army TO
advance TO the charge on the whole length of
the line. his name would have been immortal
ICED. the sting of Stanton and Halleek rem
5ered harmless, with the issue of his Memoirs
pueked Of their virulence cOndemnatory of
historical characters, who must ever fiji the
aicbe of fame in the Pantheon of the noblest
of Americas departed great men. But fate
and indecisiou ordained it otherwise.
In view OF the fact as to which place was the
ocaIe Of the Headquarters, curious and anus
.ng incident occurred some two years ago (lSS4)
during McClelian's visit to the scene of his
former victory, he having been prevailed upon
by the citizens of HagerstowD, Nd, TO deliver
he Grafton on Decoration Day at the Antietam
National Cemetery on May 30, 1884.
The General arrived the day before. was
Iumptuously entertained in the city alluded
%. and on the morning Of the Both a special
train carried the party TO the battlefield, where
carriages awaited ard conveyed them to the
different points where the engagement ragged
the fercest. Now mark the sequsl One of the
gentlemen in the carriage, pointing to the Fry
House, remarked:
Gen. Mcclellan, there is your old Head
quarters"
To which came the astounding reply:
No. sir; i never was in the house. ] was
with Porter's Corps during the battle"
This statement seems almost laughable as a
good joke emanating from so prominent an
individual; the writer of this article having
so regarded il IN the light Of what followed
repetition of the above and subsequent events
bearing on the statement hardly ever failing OF
producing hearty laugh from the hearers 81
the anecdote at Little Macs expense.
The narrative would not be complete with
out the following addenda-the second act OF
the farce securing representation nearly two
years after-a very long wait for the denoue-
ment, but needful sometimes TO allow the male
portions Of the audience to withdraw and
smile.
Using the personal pronoun, / will give my
own experience in connection with the cpl
sode:
Having occasion in the Summer of 1885 to
walk from Sharpsburg to Keedysyille, (the
route passes in front of the gate leading to
Fry's House, as j neared the spot a buggy
containing two gentlemen and a driver drove
out of the private road. Being well acquainted
with the owner Of the vehicle in q joculal
manner / extemporized my walking-cane into
musket, bringing it 20 the shoulder and ex
claiming:
" Halt and surrender !"
The buggy stopped, driver and occupant,
calculating We surrender"
OF course, having captured the whole affair.
Immediately took possession by seating myself
beside the driver. After some remarks hac
passed. one of the prisoners on the back sea-
TREMENDOUSLY exclaimed that, having been cap
tured, they would desire TO know who wer'
the. captors:
Hb Noring the joke | replied:
9Th advance Of Hooker's Division"
Judge Of my surprise at the reply:
"Ah, now you are caught; we are Hooker
Division. l am Adm Chief TO the General