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

The Battle Of Sharpsburg.
Col. G.. n. Saussy in Savannah Press.

NC IcCcuL manOcuYTcS VI mimic
yetele bring forcibly up the culmina-
COG feature Of the series Of collisions
between the Potomac army and the
army Of Northern Virginia in what is
Known in history as the second
sianassas campaign.
Srarting under the defeat inflicted
by Lee in the memorable "Seven
Jays at Richmond, and depressed in
spirit because he honestly belived the
arbitgatment Of the sword would have
oeen different had his government
listened to and faithfully needed his
appeals for adequate lcves prior to
-Sune 20. the disastrous trial of
strength before the Confederate capi-
Isl, and the further disgrace inflicted
by Hallcok, in releasing him of his
command Of the Arrlr of the Poto-
mae, 11cClells.. rallied somewhat
when recalled from his mi disgrace
GO aesume command OF the combined
ftorsee Of Pope and he Potomac
:Smy.
To bring order out Of chaos, Nc
Clellan found no easy or enviable
task, ,yot, by heroic labor, he succeed
'ed'beyond his expectation. Lee rest
ed his weary, but victorious army, in
:a2d around Frederick City, recruiting
Its energy after tho arduous campaigns
.of Richmond, Slaughters Mountain
:sZl Second Manassas. It's location
was q menace to Washington or Bal
stimore, and had cut off from any
eaope ST assistance from the north or
exst, the important post Of Harper's
Ferry.
This strategic point appealed to
Hslleck, as did Vioksburg to Mr..
Davis, as of vital necessity TO the
life of the nation, and that it's posses
~sion should be retained at any hazard.
drop one apple in bushel bas-
iket," says M. Quad, "aud you have
tAarpers Ferry" Surrounded by
mountain heights. the possession of
any one, with good field guns in posi-
stion, must dominate the situation.
Twelve thousand federal troops gar
rrisoned this post deemed so precious
$5y Halleck. It was tempting prize,
eand it's capture appealed to Gen. Lee
-as possibility, if he could command
stime enough for it's reduction.
Maturing his plan, Gen. Lee en-
eoodied it's execution in the now fa-
snous Special Orders No. 19l:
Headquarters Army of Northern
Virginia, September 9, 1862.-The
army will resume it's march tomorrow,
taking The Hagerstown road. Gen.
-gackson's command will form the ad-
gance, and, after passing Middleton,
~ith snca lortions as he may select,
cake the route toward Sharpsburg,
"oroes the Potomac at the most con-
aeaient point, and, by Friday morning,
take possession Of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, capture such OF the
'saeny as may be at Martinsburg and
intercept such as may attempt to es-
seape from Harper's Ferry.
'Gen. Longstreet's command will
spursue the main road as far as Boons-
borough, where il will halt, with re-
serve, supply and baggage trains Of
st&e army.
*Gen. McLaws, with his own d.
svision and that of Gen. R. II. Ander-
son, WIFI follow Gen. Longstreet. On
reaching Middletown will take the
voute to Harper's Ferry and by Friday
snorning possess himself Of the Mary
Iaad Heights and endeavor to capturs
che enemy at Harper's Ferry and
aicinity.
"Gen. Walker, with his division,
@Atter accomplishing the object in
which he is now engaged, will GROSS
che Potomac at Cheeks ford, ascend
ats right bank to Lortesville, take
pessession Of Loudoun Heights, if
'praoticable by Friday morning, Keys
ford on his left and the road between
the end of the mountain and the
Potomac on his right. He will, as far
:as'practioable, cooperate with Gems.
Mcz.aws and jackson and intercept
Cue retreat Of the enemy.
,Gen. d. II. Hills division will
form the rear guard Of the army, pur-
suing the road taken by the main
oody. The ieserve artillery, ordi.
mace anu :anpply trains, etc., will
u. precede Gen. MN.
'Hen. Stuart viii detach squad.
von OF cavalry to accompany the com
mand OF Gems. Longstreet, jackson
aud McLaws, and with the main body