The National tribune., 1907-12-12

seen was criminally unwise and un-
soldierlike. His explanation is very
lame. indeed, and no doubt his conduct
at Harper's Ferry prevented Whites
further advancement in the army.
Many of the regiments stationed
there were three-months men, while
others were new troops with Colonels
of similar inexperience, which palliates
somewhat the fact that they did no
better. After White, the ranking Off
Ger was Col. Thomas H. Ford, 32d Ohio.
prominent politician, who had been
Lieutenant-GOvernor of Ohio, and upon
whom fell the heaviest blame for evac-
uating Maryland Hights. While he
committed the crowning fault, the other
| Colonels were not free from censure,
since nowhere was the defense obsti-
nately prolonged or specially hurtfuI
to the defenders.
Harper's Ferry Invested.
| The detachments of the Confederates
moved with that unanimity and punc-
tuality which had never seemed posi-
bic for the commanders Of cooperating
| Federal columns to attain. Jackson,
as before stated, arrived early on the
morning of Sept. II, in sight of the
| troops drawn up on Bolivar Hights, ana
went into camp about two miles from
the Union line. Gen. McLaws, with his
command and Gen. Anderson's Divi-
sion, marched from Frederick, Sept. 10,
| by Burkittsville, into Pleasant Valley,
which lay between the South Noun
tain and Elk Ridge. Elk Ridge is the
name of the range Of which Maryland
Hights is the abutment on the Potomac
1t was McLaws's part of the program
to ascend Elk Ridge and drive off the
| Union force stationed there under the
command of Col. Ford II Maryland
Hights could be gained pIunging fire
| could be sent into Harper's Ferry,
which would render defense impossi-
! bic. Fords position on Maryland
| HiShts was exceedingly strong and with
a little industry it could have been
made impregnable by a good com
mander as resolute and determined as
were the troops which were stationed
on the nights. A defense like that of
Gen. Corse at Allatoona, for instance,
would not have failed to repulse every
attempt of McLaws, even with such
superior forces. McLaws was obliged
to construct roads up the rough noun
tain side to enable his artillery to reach
the summit, but he had his guns in DO
sition on Sept. IA.
Gen. Walker crossed the Potomac at
Point of Rocks, which ford he found
practicable on account of low water.
on the night of Sept. 10, and on the
evening of Sept. 12 went into camp at
, ,Hillsborough, some distance from the
base of Loudoun Hights. He reached
the foot of the mountain about 10
O'Clock on the morning of Sept. 13, and
sent out the 27th n. G. and goth Va.
under Col. Cooke. directing him to as
Icend the mountain, but if he found no
enemy not to reveal himself to the gar
rison of Harper's Ferry. With these
TWO regiments went men of the Signal
Corps, to open communications with
Jackson near Bolivar flights. The two
regiments met with no opposition, and
took possession of the top of the noun
tain by o'clock, and that afternoon
and evening five long-range rifles were
mounted on the crest where they would
/ have plunging fire at the garrison.
About 1880 or the morning of Sept
IA Walkers signal men exchanged sig
mails with JackSons men
| The different Confederate detach-
ments were moving with harmony and
precision, markedly in contrast with
anything Gen. Pope had ever been able
to get out of his balky subordinates
While this was going on the investing
force, as we'll as the garrison, could
hear, rising on the still Autumn air
the thunder of the guns where the
Sixth Corps was engaged at Champions
Gap, and part of the rest of the army
at Turner's Gap. Gen. Walker inquired
of Jackson what this meant, who re-
piled that it was probably a cavalry
flight between Stuart and PleasontOn.
Walker, however was nervous lest Nc
Clellan should descend upon them in
force, and was anxious to bring on the
battle. He pushed out two regiments
lin plain view OF the garrison of Har-
per's Ferry. which opened upon them a