The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-15
"THE AMERICAN
CONFLICT. %
Leading Incidents and Episodes
of the War of the Rebellion.
By HORACE GREELEY.
LEES INVASION.
Continued

EHANlOR OF COL. ID. >. M1LES-IH
SURRENDER-APPR TO SHARPS
BURG AND THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM
StonewaIl Jackson. leaving Frederick Oh
the 10th. had pushed swiftly through Mid
dletown and BoonsborOugh to Wiliiamsport
where he recrossed the Potomac next dav.
striking thence at Martinsburg, which was
held by Gen. Julius White, with some 1000
Unonists But White, warned of Jackson S
approach III overwhelming strength. fled
during the night of the l1th 10 Harper S
Ferry. where he found Col. ID. S. Miles, OF
Bull Run dishOnor, in command of some
10000 men. partly withdrawn from Win
chester and other points up the Valley, but
in good part composed of green regiments
hastily levied on tidings of the Chickahominy
disasters, and differed by local politicians,
who had never yet seen a shot fired at a line
Of armed men.
White ranked Miles, and should have
taken command, but he waived his right in
Difference to Miles's experience as an old
Army officer. and offered TO serve under him,
which offer was accepted.
Jackson who had cheaply acquired good
supply of provisions and munitions at Mar
1insburg did not allow himself to be de-
tained by them, but. hurrying on, was be-
Waiting only to ascertain that McIaws, who
was to cooperate on the other side of the
Potomac and Walker who was dispatched
simultaneously from Frederick, with orders
to cross the Potomac at Point of Rocks, and
come I'D on the south so as to shut iii and
asSail our garrison from that side of the
Shenandoah, were already in position, he
ordered A. p Hill, with his division, to
move down the north bank of the Shenan-
doah into Harper's Ferry, while Lawton,
with Ewell's. and J. II. Jones. with Jack
sons own division, were TO advance upon
and threaten the beleaguered Unionists
farther and farther to their right
MILESS MILITARY SKI L.
Harper's Ferry is little more than deep
ravine or gorge, commanded on three sides
5v steep mountains and, of course, delensi-
BILE only front one or more of these. COM
mander, who was neither fool nor a traitor,
seeing enemies swarming against HIM from
every side would either have evacuated in
haste and tried TO make his way out OF the
trap. or concentrate his force on one OF the
adjacent nights. and here held out until
time had been afforded for his relief.
Miles did neither He posted, Sept. II,
Che sd Ohio, Col. T. Fl. Ford. on Maryland
Nights, where they were reinforced by the
39th and 126th y. Y, and next day by the
10th y. Y. and part of a Maryland regi-
ment. Ford's reqUisition for axes and spades
was not filled: the only 10 axes that could be
obtained were used in constructing slight
breastwork OF trees near the crest, with an
abatis in its front. where McI-aws's advance
appeared and commenced skirmishing the
same day.
An attack in force was made, early next
morning. Sept. IL, and Was Tepulsed; but
was followed at 8 O'Clock by another and
more determined. when Col f. Sheriff.,
10th \. Y, being severely wounded, his
regiment broke and fed in utter rout. and
he remaining regiments soon followed the
example, alleging an order 10 retreat from
Maj. Hewitt, who denied having given it.
Our men were rallied after running short
distance, and reoccupied part of the ground
they had SO culpably abandoned, bnt did
not regain their breastwork. and of course
Left the enemy in a commanding position.
At o'clock next morning, Ford, without
being further assaied abandoned the Nights
so far as we still retained them, spiking his
guns; four of which, at a later hour in the
morning, were brought off by four companies
lnder Maj. Wood, who went over on re-
connaissance Fad encountered no opposition.
MARYLAND NIGHTS TIE KEY
McLaws, with his own and Anderson 8
Divisions. leaving Frederick on the 10TH had
entered Pleasant Valley. via BurkettsyilIe
on the 18th; and, perceiving ct once that
Maryland Nights was the key of the position,
had sent Kersiaw, with his own and Banks
dale's Brigades, up rugged mountain road,
impracticable for artillery, 10 the crest Of the
Elk Mountains. two or three miles north
ward of Maryland flights, with orders 10
follow along that crest, and so approach and
carry our position; while Wrights Brigade
with two guns, was TO take post on the
southern face of South Mountain, and 50
command all the approaches along the Poto-
mac.
Meanwhile. McLaws, with the rest of his
force, save the brigades holding Champions
Gap, moved down Pleasant Valley 10 the
river.
Kershaw advanced according to order
through dense woods and over very rough
ground, until he encountered and worsted
Ford's command on the Nights. as we have
seen. Wright and Anderson took, unopposed.
the positions assigned them, and McIaws ad-
vaneed to Sandy Hook, barring all egress
from Harper's Ferry down the Potomac.
The morning of the 14th was spent by Nc
Laws IN cutting road practicable for ariiI-
lery to the crest of Marylan flights. whence
Ere was opened from four guns at D. IN.
not only Smelling our forces at the Ferry, but
commanding our position on Bolivar Nights,
beyond it,
Before night Walkers guns opened like
wise from Loudoun Nights, and Jackson s
batteries were playing from several points,
some OF them enilading our batteries on Boil
var Nights, while shots from others reached
our helpless and huddled men in their rear
During the night Col. Crutchfeld. Jack
sons Chief of Artillery, ferried 10 of Ewelps
guns across the Shenandoah and established
them where they could take in reverse oui
best Entertainments on Bolivar flights, soor
compelling their evacuation and our retreat
to an inferior position, considerably neare
the Ferry, and Of course more exposed to ant
commanded by McLaws's guns on Marylant
flights.
CAVALRY CUTS OUT.
At n. M, Sept. IA, our cavalry, SOM
1900 strong under Col. Davis, 9Th N Y.
made their escape from the Ferry, across tn
pontoon- bridge, to the Maryland bank, pass
ing up the Potomac unassailed, through a re
glon swarming with enemies TO the moutl
of the Antietam, thence striking northwart
across Maryland, reaching Greencastle, Pa.
next morning, having captured by the wa,
the ammunition train of Gen. Lon.street
consisting of 80 TO 90 wagons
Miles assented TO this escape, but refuses