The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-10-12

alkcr had carried the heights assign
ed their commands by Saturday, but
liarpers Ferry was tot surrendered
uutil Sunday. BY reference to Gen.
Lee 3 order Friday had been designated
as the date when the post must be cap
tured.
Napoleon said "In war, men count
as nothing; men, everything" So
also when campaigns are planned time
is the essential factor. Gen. Lee
planned; the troops could execute the
movement and complete the reduction
in the time allotted. 1t was not done.
Friday was the day assigned by the
commanding general, but the fort was
not surrendered until Sunday. Those
two lost days were Mcclellan . oppor.
.nnity. The possession Of copy Of
Special Orders No l9l" gave him all
the details, and now it was for him
TO Illustrate Lees plans.
Pressing d. II. Hill end Stuart to
and beyond the tops Of the South and
Catocin mountains, Mcclellan almost
thrust his large army between the
severed wings Of the Army of North
ern Virginia. McLaws' rear was in
great peril. lie could spare but 5000
OF his command to meet one-third Of
the federal army under Franklin.
Stretching these across the Cui de- sac,
the upper end of Pleasant Valley, 10
made 30 bold display the federal
general failed to attack, though his
command numbered 30, 900 men.
The defense of Harper's Ferry add
ed speed and pressure to Mcclellan,
and he was within five miles Of the
post when the cessation of FIRE con-
veyed the mute intelligence that the
post had sucoumbed.
Keen was the modification of the
federal commander. Yet knowing the
exact position Of tho various COM
mands Of Lee, he had 80 forced his
strong army, he WAS in position to at.
tack and beat the separated wings in
his orders to Franklin, Mcclellan
writes: "My idea is to cut the enemy
in two and beat him in detail. ask
OF you at this important moment all
your intellect and the utmost activity
that general can exercise"
But MoLaws and Hampton stood in
Franklin's path and with audacious
effrontery bluffed the federal general
into fatal halt. Had his 10000
attacked with vigor q differen. YER
dict may have been awarded Sharps-
burg.
Though the ferry had fallen McClel-
Ian was still master of the situation.
His immense army, we'll in hand and
capable Of dealing tremendous and
fatal blows right and left upon the
severed wings Of the Army of North
ern Virginia.
Peculiar, therefore, must have been
the feelings that stirred the breast of
the federal captain, as with glass in
in hand, from the Red Hill Of Ante
tam, he surveyed the attenuated lines
of the elastic Army OF Northern Vir-
ginia, as it took position along the
crest Of Sharpsburg. Opportunity
was at his elbow. Fortune sat smiling
near by, and all things pointed to the
realization of his most cherished
hopes. The defeats of the past were
now to be compensated in glorious
victory Of the present. "The applause
of listening senates to command" the
acolaims Of the populaoe, seemed ring
ing in his ears as with apparent Ger.
tainty he ordered his arms to the as
sault.
jackson reached Sharpsburg almost
on the run, 80 rapidly did his mar
velous "foot cavalry" move to rejoin
Lee. With 5000 men he took posi-
tion on the left Of: Ito line-Stuart
with his troopers and horse artillery
prolonging that flank to the river.
The clustering Fighting Joe" lit.
orally picked up his $4,000 men and
dashed them at the "Stonewall. The
contact shattered the federal corps.
Reforming again it was thrown upon
the 'Stonewall" and again shivered.
Cutting up Mansfield he pressed their
united strength upon jackson and
forced him back and beyond the
bunker Church. The preservation Of
that line was vital to the life Of Lee 9
army. jackson called for assistance
and Les sent MIN 5,GGG men. Ad-
justing his alignment he moved upon
the blue soldiers aud again drove them
back. Sumner, then franklin, COM