The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-10-15
MLAWs AT HARPER,S FERRY.
GEN. sIUMFORD TELLS THE STORY
OF THE FIRST MARYLAND
Campaign

CIeIIan to Catch Lee in "a TraD--tien.
McI.avvs' TiclsIish Position at Wary
lard Heights ana How Wen lie Ac-
Quilted Himself There Well Told
by GEN. ssumford.
Gen. II. T. AIumford's lecture at Ar
mory hail last night on the First Mary
land campaign was listened 10 ana en-
loved by a number Of the confederate vete-
rams. some of whom were accompanied
by their wives and daughters. The lee
t,lre was II especial interest 20 many Of
the listeners who were participants In the
scenes il described.
Gen. Numford was introduced by Mag.
G. Nj. Ryals. president of the Confederate
Veterans Association. as one of the most
valiant Of the soldiers who followed Lee
and rode with the cavaliers Of Virginia.
Gen. Mumford is a white-hared Old gem
tleman Of distinguished appearance. He
was in command of a regiment of cavalry
at the time of which he spoke, and after
ward commanded brigade Of cavalry in
the cavalry corps of the army of North
ern Virginia. Cen Mumford expressed
his pleasure at the opportunity afforded
him. There is so much misrepresentation
in history, he said that 1t is important
that those who We're in position to give
civil war should do so for the benefit OF
posterity. and with this idea in view the
only merit he should claim for its his
tory would be its adherence to the truth
He drew a striking word picture of the
confederate soldier in readiness for the
march before entering into his subject
Gen. Mumford described the status of
affairs after the second battle OF Manas-
sas, when Lee had completely whipped
both Mcclellan and Pope and driven the
union forces ont of Virginia. It was then
that he decided that the time was auspi-
cious for a move into Maryland and so
advised President Davis. He also wrote
President Davis, after beginning the cam
paign, urging that a conference be en-
tered into with President Lincoln for the
purpose Of securing peace with the in
dependence of the confederate states.
1t was this movement of Lees INTO
Maryland that brought about the eapturs
of Harper's Ferry and the battle OF South
Mountain with other important engage
ments. described by Gen. MuhIoIu. ~,
he said, had expected when ne hldue
his advance into Maryland that the gar
rison of federal troops at Harper ferIy
would retreat but as 1t failed 70 90 80
he decided to divert part OF his force
and capture it. After a conference with
Gems. Jackson, Longstreet, D. II. Hin
ture of Harpers Ferry was lssueu, u
recting Gen. Jackson to move across 70
Martinsburg, and then move down on
Harper's Ferry, Gen. McLaws TO move
down Pleasant Valley and occupy Mary
land Heights opposite Harper's Ferry, on
the other side of the river Gen. walker
to move upon Harpers Ferry from an.
other direction and Gen. stuart TO protect
the rear of the army with ms cavalry.
Gen Mumford had several large, roush
mans showing the mountain ranges ilN-
ers a nd imporfant points in the campaign,
with which he Illustrated ms ecluie
throughout ,.....s
though not so quickly ais Gen. Lee mad
expected. Gen. Mumford gave a graphlc
description Of the movement OF McCleliah
from Washington with $4,000 men TO meet
Lee leaving 10000 men behlnQ IN W dsh-
ington 20 protect the CAPITA ~ Wa oci
that the unfortunate clrcuInstdHcI ~ "
CURED of the finding of Gen. u. II Eill
copy of the order for the capture OF mar
pers Ferry, issued by Gen. Lee at M, ms
abandoned camp at Frederick CITY, giving
Gen. Mcclellan fun information OF the
Intentions of his adversary, which he
could not otherwise have obtained.
Gen. Mumford read letters ana qls-
patches of Gen. Mcclellan 70 Gen; hal-
ieck at Washington, In which the former
outlined his plans for moving against
Lee while the latter's forces We're dlyld-
ed and scattered, and especially OF cutting
off McI4aws and crushing him with a SUI
periOr force, to which purpose Gen Frank
lin with his corps of 10000 men was de-
tailed. Gen McLaws dangerous posi-
ton was graphically pictured. With his
small force of 5000 he was compelled TO
remain at Maryland Heights TO help.Gen:
Jackson capture Harpers Ferry and at
the same time guard against being cut off
and DESTROYED by Franklins greatly SUI
nerior force II was necessary for him
to send back part of his force to MAIN
tain possession OF CHAMPION Gap az
he had very difficult work to do at Mary
land Heights.
fought his battle at South Mountain with
a part of the union army. Gen. Mumford
declared that Gen McLaWs WORK IN heiP-
ing 10 capture Harpers Ferry and mold
ing back Franllin's division of $1,000 men
not only saved his own lMcLaws' divis-
toni, but the whole of Lees army, as well.
Lee had at that time, he said, but 10000
men north of the Potomac river, with
which to meet McClellan's 10000, who were
in close quarters with him.
Georgia. said Gen. Mumford, ''had
many grand soldiers, but she had none
who served with more distinguished credit
than that old gentleman there" point
ing 10 Gen. McLaws, who occupied a
seat near the speaker. This brought live
ly applause from the audience.
After Gen. Franklin had a few brushes
with Gen. Mcl-aws, troops he sent dis
y patches to Gen Mcclellan calling for re-
Inducements and stating that he was
outnumbered two to one. AT that time
McLaws had 5000 men to Franklin $
$1,000. After the capture of Harper
Ferry, Gen. Mumford said, jackson
moved off without waiting to cummuni-
cate with McLaws and leaving the lat
ter to get out of a difficult situation as
best he could, which he did in safety and
with credit. Gen. Mumford said his OBJ
ject was to show that large part of the
credit for the capture of Harper's Ferry
was due to Gen. McLaws. That had he
not held his position at Maryland
Heights and at the same time held bach
Franklin's immensely superior force
Harper's Ferry would never have beer
captured Had McLaws been crushed
as Mcclellan had planned or even driver
from his position Harper's Ferry would
have been relieved and Lees army great
" endangered.
The good points made by Cen Mumford
in his address were literally applaudeC
by the old soldiers and none more thar
his references to Gen. McLaws A res
olution Of thanks to Gen. Mumford was
proposed by Col. w. w Gordon with tn,
request that he furnish his address fol
publication in the journal Of the assocfa
ton, which resolution was unanimously
adopted
Gen. Mumford, in reply to the resolu
ton, said that he had no other motiv,
in making the address than TO make III
record of that campaign such as he hat
the power TO make it. He entered largell
into details which cannot be given ia
brief synopsis of his remarks and tn
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