The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-20


Cobbs force was only about 5000
strong. yet he. by neryy demonstra-
tions. deluded FRANKLIN for three hours
when the severe excess compelled cobb
20 vacate, losing 400 prisoners and one
epa.
ne loss Of Crampton's Gap was
crave peril 30 McLAw. Harper's Ferry
still held out Franklin had cut him
OF from a retreat ur Pleasant Valley.
and to attempt to leave Maryland
Heights by the river bank would sub
feet his command to the fire Of the
enemy IN the town and bring Franklin
upon his rear. He must therefore
present q brave front and await re-
suits.
Leaving q regiment to hold Maryland
Heights. he took as strong position as
he could sscare in Pleasant Valley.
with the balance OF his command about
nightfali. assuredly expecting Franklin
to renew his attack In the morning
McLAws bold front deceived franklin,
who moved cautiously. working to gain
an advantageous position for his artil-
lery. Meantime white had yielded up
the Ferry. with its garrison and stores.
while Franklin was within I'VE miles
for his relief General Jackson the.
directed McIAws TO withdraw to the
virginia side Of the river and tastes
10 connect with the main forces under
General Lee. This he did with great
skiil, crossing NJ Ha1per's Ferry At
r. NJ, and ct A. - the next da5
bivouaesd At Halitown TO rest his
weary men Resuming his march On
the 18th. Ire seaced sharpsburS at sun
rise on tho nth.
Longstreet and D. H. Hin had been
withdrawn by General Lee from 9outh
Mountain and were placed In position
on the crest OF Sharpsburg. behind An
tietam Creek. The determined resist
ance at the gaps in the South Noun.
tain delayed Mcclellan until Harpera
Ferry had fallen ana Jackson could
again unite with General Lee at
shsrpsburG.
On the morning Of the 18th, aftef
a tart exchange Of military courtesies
white nag indicated the commander
and garrison u Harper's Ferry real
ICED a further resistance would only
involve useless bloodshed. True, Gen
eral White was ignorant McCleilaus
advance vss but I'VE miles away
pressing the depleted Confederates
with unusual visor. Had he the
slightest knowledge OF that he would
have prolonged the contest with ree-
eonable hopes Of relief. Yet with tne
prizes so nearly within his grasp. It u
a safe prop osition Jackson would have
carried the place by storm
Now each army was concentrating
for the main struggls. General Lee
disposed his aftsnssteA fine along the
crest Of SharpsbueH, bis tanks almost
connecting with the Potomac on eaoh
extreme. with tia Annetam Creek
partly covering his front Many OF
mia troops were In transit from the
investment OF HarpeTs Ferry. hurry
ing alorx at . speed S0eh - only
~Jackson's foot cavalry" could develop.
20 take position along TIE crest OF
Eharpsburg.
Fully convinced now Of the 1oeuracy
Of Special Orders No. lsl. peculiar
must have been the tlsoughts and feel
tnxs Of -ths Little Napoleon" as with
his army Of s7.1sl men. we'll IN hand,
he had brought his depleted adversary
TO bay. That special orders had
shown him how scattered were the
commands Of Lees army. and we'll
directed effort OF his overwhelming
.orce could not but shatter Or crush
IN deta.! the severed wings OF the
army Of Northern virg3a1a It's ami
hylasion seemed certain, and In bright
vision Mcclellan 0av himself re
sav4or OF his country, tie victor OF
..ts,e rebellion ~ Tue "appiaose OF
listening senator" .seesns1 70 sound In
hss ears. the aecsaims Of scouting
nonulace welcomed him In triumphant
pageants
The SOLUTION Of the mighty problem
80 n hand ana would be accomplish
Cd By his strong hight arm Oppcs-
tunssy. that nekle goddess. now linked
her arm with his and whispered words
Of god cheer and BATTERY in his ear
s.,6om had she placed within a SOL
Aier's grasp % rare q chance to COM
plete the ambition Of his NE
General Lee disposed his army a.
Aollovs. Longstreet held the right
erom the Boones1oro pike 70 the s,ufn
Of the town, d. r. Hill held the CEN
tre-left OF the BooneboTo pike ana
Jackson, who arrived on the neid al
Ter a rapid march from Harpers Ferry
=. che 18Th extended the Iefs, the in
terxaI between Jackson and ID. II. Hi
hesax filed by Hood. while Stuarts
~valry prolonged the extreme left
pearIy to the Potomac.
Three bridges epannei the Antietsrn
=. the n>iShborhood OF SharpsSurs-
enc lover one opposite Lcnssfreefs
.os,e,ou- the next one near the Confca-
sr.se centre. the third several miles
h,rher Nm. this latter bridge was be-
vcnd the Confederate lea. Therefore,
-, eovered By Lees line General
- Therefore. expected Mcclellan TO
= this advantage and make TIRE
49, wo.,s of his attack. 'sc C'n-
49,. ,ef.. Win reasonable hope Of
e~niDe thar 6ank % Les arrny-
On the Afternoon .: the .s;h the