The Washington herald., 1914-07-09


Fifty years ago today Gen. Jubal A,
Early's force OF nearly 1900 Confed-
crates marching on Washington, defeat
ed a much smaller force under Gen. Lew
Wallace in a bloody battle at Monocacy
Junction. thirty-five miles from the cap
itaI
The battle was to have a very impor-
tant effect upon Gen. EArly's campaign,
| as the few hours IL occupied were enough
| TO make possible the arrival at Washing
ton OF troops sent by Gen. Grant from
| Virginia for the city's defense.
Gen. Wallace. who commanded the mid
die military district, had moved out from
Baltimore. his headquarters, on July 3,
| on the first receipt of news that Early,
marching up the Shenandoah Valley. had
invaded Maryland by way of the passes
! in South Mountain range north of Harp
ers Ferry.
The force that logically should have met
Early and checked his advance was that
of Gen David Hunter; but Gen. Hunter,
| having been defeated by Early in front
OF Lynchburg. Va, Mays1s. had retreEted
| into West Virginia. When Early entered
Maryland after a eoo-mile march from
Lynchburg. Hunter WAS trying 10 move
his command up the Ohio River on steam
ers TO Parkersburg on the Baltimore and
Z
| scenes Of operations.
Gen. Wallace in moving out from Bal
timore, with about 2.5OO green troops that
were gathered from the Clty's d"fenses,
| had preceded to the Western limit Of his
| military district. the MOnOCaCy River,
near Frederick. Md. He believed Gen.
Early was marching on Baltimore or
Washington. The rands To both cities
and the railroad from Harpers Ferry
to Baltimore crossed the MonOCacy three
miles from Frederick.
The spot therefore. became Of the
greatest military importance. II was at
the point Of a triangle. about . miles 10
the side. Of which Washington and Bal
timore occupied the other two points
Grants Timely Aid.
When Wallace arrived on the ground
with his little command Of untried men.
he could learn little OF Early's move
ments. for as Vet only the Confederate
cavalry had crossed the South Mountain
passes Early's infantry being behind
Maryland Heights Copposte Harpers
Ferry, trying to take that place and
open a direct road down the Potomac to
Washington.
4 small mounted force. under Lieut..
Col n. r. Clendennin. OF the Eighth llli-
nois Cavalry. sent across the CatOCtin
Mountains by Gen. Wallace. found the
Confederate cavalry. numbering about
200 sabers. in the country between that
range and the South Mountain, and
moving on Frederick.
The Federals. who numbered but go.
were forced back on Frederick. and be-
ing reinforced by infantry. on the even
ing Of July fought a sharp little battle
outside that town.
Developments on July : indicated to
Gen. Wallace that Earlys infantry was
| behind his cavalry. as a dispatch from
Gen. Franz Sigel. holding Maryland
Heights. stated that Early had dissp-
peared from his front.
That day Wallace received important
acCessions to his force. Gen. Grant. at
Petersburg. observing events in the Shen-
| andoah Valley. had dispatched Gen.
James r. Ricketts, division of the Sixth
Army Corps by steamers To Baltimore. on
the chance of their being needed to re-
sist an invasion OF Maryland.
This force had left CITY Point on the
James, July 6, and had arrived at Balti-
more early July s. Through the energy
OF John W. Garrett. president Of the B.
& o. road. they were quickly Cn;rained
and started for the MonocaCy. Tho first
of Ricketts, veterans dctrsined there be-
fore nightfall on July s.
Early Paid 100000.
Wallace now learned that the enemy S
infantry had appeared near Frederick,
and threatened to cut him OF from the
Baltimore road. The town was not de-
fensible and Gen. Wallace at once began
| concentrating on the MOnocaCy.
On the morning of July 9, while the
I Federals were getting into position 10
cover the crossings of the river. Early
rode into Frederick at the head OF his
ragged and barefoOted infantry.
The arrival of the invaders showed the
! inhabitants of the town, who had often
before seen the rough side Of war, that
they were now to be served harder than
ever before. Forthwith their fears were
realized The stores were broken open
and while their contents of shoes, cloth