Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-24

capture this important post then held
| by Col. Miles, who had under his COM
rland, when all bis outlying battalions
had been drawn in, about 1850 men,
of whom 1000 were cavalry. Lee
counted on McClellan's ordinary de-
lliberateness OF movement, and assum-
ed that there was plenty OF time to
take Harper's Ferry and reunlte his
army before his foe would have APP
preached.
We have noted how for once Lee
was disappointed in his antagonist
and how near he came TO being over
whelmed before Jackson could reach
AntietaIn. Confederate writers have
criticised Lee for his rashness and
have held that in spite OF the signal
success at the Ferry it paved the way
for his forced retirement in the end
and the failure OF a promising cam
paion. The division OF his army and
the faded condition of Jackson's com
mand. with the host of stragglers that
tell out on the forced marches, weak
ened Lee greatly and reduced the eff
cheney OF his army.
Lee. in Maryland, could not view
with equanimity the presence OF so
strong body of the enemy in his inn
mediate rear, closing his line OF COM
munieation with the Shenandoah, and
/ besides he wanted the immense depot
of war munitions at llarper's Ferry.
/ He started three columns in different
directions to surround the post. Nc
Laws was 70 gain Maryland Heights
on the north. Walker was 10 secure
| Loudon Heights to the east, while
| jackson, crossing the Potomac some
distance above, was 20 work around to
the southwest and close In on Bolivar
Heights, when the place would be be-
| leaguered, with no chance for the es-
cape Of It's garrison.
The plan worked 10 a charm. Me
Laws moved on Maryland Heights
I from the north. These were defended
by Union force OF less than 5000.
Some fighting ensued. but the Federals
retired with scarcely more than a show
of resistance and allowed this com
handing position 10 be occupied by
\ the enemy, the defenders making their
way down into the trap below. Me
Laws lost no time in planting long
range guns on the top and down the
slope 50 as 10 reach the Union camp
! beyond the Ferry toward Bolivar
I Heights. London Heights fell into
\ Walkers clutches even more easily
and soon his guns Joined those Of Nc
Laws. jackson, too, was doing his
part and In spite OF what opposition
Miles could offer rapidly drew his lines
across 10 the Shenandoah. communi-
Gated with Walker and prepared for
an assault on the Union position. The
case looked hopeless 10 Miles now.
He didn't know how near Mcclellan
was. The Rebel batteries enfladed
him and 10 them he could make no ef-
fectlve response. jackson was ready
TO spring upon him at close quarters,
He made up his mind to surrender.
The night before he did so his cavalry
crossed the Potomac In the darkness
and effected its escape 70 the north
ward. joining Mcclellan. A more en-
ergetic commander would have made
at least one attempt 20 push his inian.
try through But bis orders We're "a
I hold the post 20 the last extremity
. 4 us laNlu4 AfiAkNNs IL us bNAAAtA.
under a hot cannonade. before jackson
/ had begun bis assault. Miles showed
the white flag. A howl Of rage went
up from his men who felt keenly their
disgrace aud wanted 10 fight on. Al.
most Immediately Miles fell MORALLY
wounded from a shell fragment
Terms OF capitulation were arranged
with Gen. White. Miles successor,
under which all the Federals were pa
rolled. One Vermont regiment, the
Ninth, was included among the cap.
tured force. Rather than hand over
/ their colors, the members OF this regi.
ment stripped the flag from lis staff,
and tore IL into bits, which they secret.
ed about their persons. II was bitter
pill for these fine troops 10 yield thus 70
Jackson's tatterdemalions but they
had to do II aud Harper's Ferry. il
garrison and its extensive depots fel
into the hungry grasp Of the invader
L. b. j.