The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-10
(From Chatham Record, Wednesd

MARYLAND CAMPAIGN.
FROM Chatham Record, Wednesday
September s, 1919
This week is the forty-ninth ami
versary Of the beginning of the Mary
land campaign, the Confederate army
having crossed the Potomac river on
the 9Th Of September. 1862. This was
the first time the Confederates a
crossed that stream, previous to that
Tune they having remained on the
southern or Virginia side of that river.
After the defeat Of Pope's army at
the battle Of Second, Manassas" the
week previous, Genera Lee deter
mined to remain no longer on the
defensive, but to cross the Potomac
and assume the offensive. The Fed
eral forces had retired to the defences
around Washington, after their recent
defeat, and were more concerned
about defending that city than about
capturing Richmond. By crossing the
Potomac. Genera Lee hoped thai the
presence of his victorious army in
Maryland would arouse the Southern
sympathizefS in that State and would
So alarm h Federal authorities that
they would draw their troops from ev-
cry quarter for the defence of their
capital n thus relieve, for while
at least, Virginia from being the seat
Of war.
Although thousands of our troops
were barefooted and had gone through
a most f~atiguing and bloody cam
paign, fighting many battles, with Nc
Clellan near Richmond and with Pope
at Manassas, yet they entered upon
this Maryland campaign with joy and
high hopes. AS they forded the Po-
tomac bands played and the men sang
maryland, My Maryland as if on q
picnic or holiday excursion. Strict or
ders We're issued and rigidly enforced
against pillaging and plundering, in
most pleasing contrast to the conduct
Of the Federal soldiers when in Vir-
| ginia.
Upon arriving at Frederick, several
miles across the Potomac in Maryland,
Genera Lee ascertained that there
was still a large Federal garrison at
Harper's Ferry, and as It would be
imprudent to leave so large a force OF
the enemy in his real (Which might
cut off his lines Of communicat1on) he
| determined to send part of his army
to capture that place. Accordingly he
sent Stonewall Jackson with a large
force to capture Harper's Ferry, while
he and the greater part of his army
moved to the neighborhood of Ha-
gerstoWn. This was a dangerous
movement, this division Of his army
when a much larger force was near,
and great celebrity n rapidity OF
movement was necessary for success
Jackson with his troops by rapid
marches fastened to FhArper's Ferry
and invested that place, cutting off all
avenues Of escape or re-enforcements.
His troops and artillery were posted
on the heights surrounding the town
on all sides and a most destructive
fire was poured upon the be1eaguered
garrison, which consisted of nearly
1890 men. Orders had been received
L. -
hold out to the last and not to sur
render, as several thousand Federal
troops We're Fastening to the rescue,
but at the end of two days Con the
18th of September. 1862 the white
flag was raised and the entire garrison
surrendered. This was the surrender
Of the largest body of Federal troops
that occurred during the entire war.
the total number surrendered being
nearly 1000. The Federal official re-
port shows that their loss in killed.
wounded and captured was 12,737.
The prisoners were all paroled. In
addition to SO many prisoners our
troops captured at Harper's Ferry. -
pieces of artillery. 1900 stand Of
arms Chat is, muskets. rifles, etc.,
200 wagons and a large quantity OF
military stores.
This surrender caused great rejoic-
ing at the South and created quite a
panic throughout the North. Great
INDIGNATION was expressed by The gov
eminent at Washington at this sur
render. which was denounced as 'Hlost
~disgraceful' and a military commits
sion was appointed 10 investigate it
That commission was in session sew
eral weeks and examined many Wit
nesses, and finally reported that the
incapAcity, amounting TO almost in
becility,' of the federal commander
led to the shameful surrender Of this
important post" The commission al
SO reported that General Mcclellan
could, and should nave relieved and
protected Harper's Ferry" The com