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"By a direct opportunity to Richmond I write you a hurried
line. Here we are to cross into Maryland. Most of the army
crossed last night and this morning; we go to-morrow morning.
I am still unwell, but will try to take care of myself. Randolph
blistered my right side to act on the liver; it has been very sore
riding, but a quiet day has relieved it greatly. When shall I
hear from you? It is long, long since I had a line; still, I hope

for the best. There will be a great deal of warm work in the
operations now entered upon. May God guide, strengthen, and
direct us in them!"

"Early in the morning, after all arrangements made for setting
out on another march, I employ a few moments in writing to you.
On Sunday last we left Leesburg. I could not spend the day
there, nor even attend church, because so much severer duty
needed my care. About twelve that night we reached the Arcadia
farm, which you remember. There we have since been
encamped on the banks of a nice stream. After reporting to
General Lee, Monday morning, I spent the day in calling on my
old friends in Frederick. Greater kindness no one ever received.
. . . The parsonage and church both closed. . . . Frederick has
improved a good deal. The cemetery quite an ornament, and
several new churches. . . . To-day we go farther inward; I
must not indicate where lest my letter fail and give some clue
where I would not have information gotten. Suffice it that General
Lee seems well to understand what he is about. Yankeedom
seems a good deal stirred up."

"About to send Captain Barnwell to Winchester for some
long-range guns, I have an opportunity of writing to you again
a few hurried lines. We left Frederick Wednesday afternoon,
10th, and arrived here yesterday afternoon. Of course we could
travel faster, but a considerable force had to be detached by Harper's
Ferry to break up the Yankees there, and we move leisurely
to let those troops get up again.

"Jeff Page met me in the street in Frederick and told me of
you all. It was next to a good letter. Sandie and Mr. Lee
coming on, he says, and Sue better, though she could not be out
to see him. I hope I am thankful for this improvement in the
invalids. I am myself much better; not quite sound and strong
yet, but improving every day. The people in this region cousins-german
to Pennsylvania Yankees, but we treat them kindly. I

send herein a copy of General Lee's proclamation to the people
of Maryland. We think it very good. When we are to have
another severe battle is not yet known, but it may be almost every
day. It depends upon the movements of the Yankee army.

"This is a beautiful country, but a state of society where all is
one dead level. . . . The people are scared; but will not take our
money when they can help it. Still, we get along comfortably.
Generally John and myself, with one or two others, find some
place where we get wholesome food. At night we rest pleasantly
in my tent. The weather is delightful; dust, however, a great
nuisance. Such clouds of it you never saw. The numberless
vehicles of all kinds pulverize the soil till finer than flour, so that
it pervades the whole atmosphere.

"I saw a good many other friends in Frederick after I wrote
you. Poor old Dr.—wanted to know if they joined the
South if I would not go back and live with them again. The
—s, very poor and suffering; delighted to see me; never had
a pastor since I left, etc. Sent a great deal of love to you all.
. . . Up here all are strangers to me. Of course I cannot preach
in town to-morrow. Hope to hold service, however, in my own
camp. It is now nearly a month since your last letter received
was written."

"Great pressure of work has prevented my writing you for a
whole week. Yesterday week I hoped for a quiet Sabbath near
Hagerstown, but orders came just after breakfast to march. That
evening a battle was fought,[1] but my assigned place was only
near, not in it. At midnight I was summoned to General Lee.
He directed me to detach some batteries for a point to which he

intended taking the army, and to conduct the rest by Williamsport
to the Virginia side of the Potomac and make arrangements for
defending the several fords. This gave us a long march day and
night, and brought me to Shepherdstown on Tuesday morning.
There I had much labor in locating batteries, etc., and doing a great
deal towards rendering roads to and from the ford somewhat safe.
The work had to be done day and night. Wednesday a great
battle was fought partly in our sight, with immense slaughter on
each side. The Yankees were too much shattered to renew the
attack next day, so that Thursday was a day of comparative quiet.
My work, however, went on, for I had to look to several fords,
keep roads in order, forward long-range guns, have stragglers
caught, etc., and despatches were coming to me all night, so that I
could scarcely steal a nap. That night General Lee determined to
recross the Potomac to the Virginia side, it being too hazardous
as well as too laborious to get all his supplies so far across so difficult
a river. I had again to work like a beaver, as did all my
officers and men, promoting the safe passage of the army, with
its immense trains of artillery and wagons, hence no rest again
that night. By nine Friday morning all had safely crossed and
McClellan's army had hardly found out the move. Now came
my great responsibility. I planted some forty or more guns on
the heights this side the river, and had assigned me some six
hundred infantry to protect the rear of our army and keep the
enemy back. They planted on the more commanding heights
on the other side a number of powerful batteries, compared with
which ours were but as pop-guns, and commenced upon us a
furious cannonade. Under cover of this they sent down to the
river's edge a strong force of sharp-shooters, and with the double
fire of the tremendous cannon and longest-range rifles used by
an immensely more numerous body of men we had to contend
all day.

"I kept a central position and issued orders, all the while encouraging
the infantry to hold their position when from time to
time their commanders informed me they could not withstand the
pressure against them. All held out till dusk, and I had just
issued orders for the withdrawal of all the guns, then for the infantry
to fall back as a rear-guard to the artillery, and for a body of
cavalry to hasten in between the infantry and the enemy, and

these movements were going on when the guard at the ford gave
way before the powerful force pressing them, and the Yankee cavalry
crossed. It was a critical moment. If vigorously pressed,
their opportunity would have given them quite half our guns.
At the time I acted on the supposition that they would press on,
and intending, first, to save all I could, and, secondly, not to expose
myself needlessly to capture, I passed, by a short path under
a fierce fire from their heavy guns, towards the road which some
of the artillery had, I knew, already taken. With this portion I
passed on, leaving the rest to the result of my orders,—should
the enemy not press on,—but rather anticipating its capture, with
William Nelson and the other officers.

"All this while it was very dark. After proceeding about a
mile I came up with a body of infantry on the march, and urged
General Pryor, in command, to go back with me, taking a sufficient
force to drive the Yankees back. He hesitated to assume
such responsibility, and referred me to General Hood, ahead.
He could not be found, and I was referred to another and another,
till past midnight I reached General Lee. He was of
course disturbed, but determined to do nothing till next morning,
and I lay down, Dudley alone being with me of all my staff;
the rest were all out on different errands, so that who might have
been captured and who not I could not then tell, nor how many
guns were lost. My bed was a handful of straw, my covering
my old overcoat, under the skies. Next morning General Jackson's
force[2] was sent back to Shepherdstown. I accompanied
him. The enemy was driven across the river again, with a number
killed and several hundred taken prisoners. The shelling
from the enemy's big guns was again fierce, and we shared the
danger with the troops,—General Jackson and myself. There
was not much loss. On our return, after midnight, I found the
remaining guns. The Yankee force had been afraid to advance
more than a short distance from the river; opportunity had been
thus left for the accomplishment of my orders—so minutely given
—for their withdrawal, and all had been brought off except four,
which could not be drawn because the horses were killed by
the furious and continued cannonade. Those four the Yankees

found next morning. Our loss was thus only four guns. Still, this
is among military men more or less of a deduction from a man's
standing, and accordingly yesterday morning General Lee, in
giving me some other orders, asked me soon to report the facts,
as well for my own sake as for his own satisfaction and the truth
of history.

"While I regret the loss and the occasion for Yankee glorification,
I am so conscious of having done well my duty, and so
thankful to God for ordering so remarkable a preservation, that
for any temporary cloud over myself I am more than willing to
compound. My present post is Darkesville, some eight miles
from here; my work, to distribute the artillery captured at Harper's
Ferry and to refit all the batteries of the army as well and
as quickly as possible. I came here to-day partly to look after
those captured guns that had been brought here and partly to
see dear Rose,[3] John having told me she was here. I am much
better, though not wholly well yet."

PENDLETON TO LEE.

General—I have the honor to report the part performed by my command and by
myself in the recent operations of our army, and especially as to service rendered in
defending the Potomac ford at Shepherdstown, in connection with General Jackson's
capture of Harper's Ferry and the battle of Sharpsburg.

In obedience to orders from the War Department on August 19, my immediate command
moved from Richmond on the 20th to co-operate with the forces on the North
Anna River, and in compliance with your own direction it marched forward with that
entire force towards your front lines on the 26th.

By request of the President my personal progress to join you was more rapid than
that of the column. After bestowing a day upon requisite arrangements, I committed
the general reserve artillery to Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, under the senior general,
D. H. Hill, and hastened on to your head-quarters. Some uncertainty as to the route
amid the changing scenes of the occasion and an enfeebling disease in part retarded my
progress, though with medical aid I ceaselessly pressed on, so that not until after mid-day
Saturday, August 30, could I reach you on the memorable battle-field of that day near
Manassas (Second Manassas). Having reported and delivered messages from the President,
I was kindly urged by you to seek some convenient place in the rear where rest and
medical treatment might relieve the disorder then prostrating me. This, after witnessing
the battle for perhaps two hours with intense interest, I found myself compelled to
do; and under the hospitable roof of Mr. Foote, robbed though he had been of almost
everything by the unscrupulous enemy, received for a few days the kindest attention.

On Wednesday, September 3, my command had arrived at Sudley, and though still
unwell I joined it and marched with the troops to Leesburg. There, besides other
work, I had preparatory to crossing into Maryland to arrange for sifting out the reduced
and strengthening the more efficient batteries in all the artillery battalions with
this part of our army. Physical exhaustion rendered this task scarce less than severe.

Major Richardson was left in charge of the batteries, sections, feeble horses, etc., detained,
with orders to take them to the neighborhood of Winchester and there establish
a depot for the recruiting of horses, etc., while the battalions of Lieutenant-Colonel
Cutts and Major Nelson were prepared for advancing.

Sunday, September 7, with the portions of these two battalions not detailed on special
duty, I proceeded to the neighborhood of Frederick, Maryland, and there reported
on the morning of the 8th.

On Wednesday, 10th, the command—excluding Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts's battalion,
which had been assigned to duty with General D. H. Hill's division, and including
the battalions of Colonel J. T. Brown, of Major William Nelson, and of Colonel S. D.
Lee, who had then reported to me—marched with the army towards Hagerstown.

Sunday morning, 14th, we were summoned to return towards Boonsborough, the
enemy having advanced upon General D. H. Hill. When I arrived and reported to
you, a short distance from the battle-field, you directed me to place in position on the
heights of Beaver Creek the several batteries of my command. This was accordingly
done just before nightfall. At midnight I was again summoned to your head-quarters
and directed to send Colonel S. D. Lee with his battalion on the road to Centreville,

and to take the residue of my command by the shortest route to Williamsport and across
the Potomac, and then to enter upon the duty of guarding the fords of that river.

By sunrise Monday, 15th, we had reached the intersection of the Hagerstown,
Sharpsburg, Boonsborough, and Williamsport roads, and there received reliable intelligence
of a large cavalry force of the enemy not far ahead of us. I immediately
posted guns to the front and on the flank, sent messengers to General Toombs—understood
to be at Sharpsburg—for a regiment or two of infantry, set to work collecting
a band of armed stragglers, and sent scouts to the front. These latter soon returned
and reported the road clear for some two miles. I therefore determined to advance
cautiously without waiting for infantry, in order to protect the large wagon-train proceeding
by the Hagerstown road through Williamsport. The cavalry, which consisted
of three regiments, escaped from Harper's Ferry, crossed our road perhaps less than
an hour ahead of us. We thus narrowly missed a rather strange encounter. My purpose
was, of course, if we met, to attempt the destruction of those retiring invaders.

Having crossed the Williamsport ford, I assigned to Colonel Brown its defence and
that of another a mile or more lower down, and proceeded with the remaining battalion
—Major Nelson's—to the neighborhood of Shepherdstown.

By ten o'clock of the 16th the guns were here in position on the heights, overlooking
the ford a mile below the town, and the passage was thenceforward assiduously guarded.

Here other and arduous duties devolved upon the command and upon myself. By
night and by day much labor was needed on the road: the passage of troops had to be
facilitated and important despatches forwarded in different directions, all rendered
the more essential towards General Jackson hastening to Sharpsburg after capturing
Harper's Ferry. This continued through the 17th while the battle (Sharpsburg) was
raging and during the night, especially in my having to meet a requisition for all the
long-range guns that could be obtained and possibly spared from the fords. Instructions
also reached me to have apprehended and sent forward all stragglers.

On the 18th arrangements had to be made for meeting a demonstration of the enemy
reported at Shepherd's Ford, four miles above. Some cavalry and a small infantry
force of collected stragglers duly organized for the occasion were sent thither, with a
battery. While engaged in these duties I was again summoned to aid in repairing
roads and facilitating the passage of troops. The difficult achievement of recrossing
our army with its extensive train over that single ford—during the night and the enemy
close at hand—having been resolved upon, every available man and officer of my
immediate command and such others as could be gathered were at once set to work
removing obstructions, preventing collisions, having lights at hand as needed, and
promoting the orderly movement of vehicles on the several routes.

After a night thus spent, Major Nelson and myself were by dawn Friday, 19th, in
saddle for the purpose of securing guns from some of the artillery that had crossed and
placing them in position to aid in repelling the enemy when he should appear. Forty-four
guns were thus secured. Of these the character, position, etc, were as follows:
A 10-pounder Parrott and two other rifles, under Captain Maurin, on the right-hand
height, two or three hundred yards from the river; next him, on the left, a 10-pounder
Parrott, under Lieutenant Maddox. On his left Captain Milledge had four 3-inch rifles
and a 12-pounder howitzer. Next to Captain Milledge Captain Chapman was placed,
with one rifle and one Napoleon. On the left of these and on the brow of the cliff, overlooking
the ford and to rake it and its approaches, Captain M. Johnson was placed,
with two 6-pounders and two howitzers. These dispositions were all below the road

leading directly from the ford, along a ravine to the interior. Above that road Captain
Kirkpatrick, with two 6-pounders and two 12-pounder howitzers, occupied the brow
of the cliff to cross-fire with Captain Johnson upon the ford and its approaches. On
Captain Kirkpatrick's left, and for a like purpose, was placed Captain Huckstep's battery
of four 6-pounders. On an eminence to his left were planted two 10-pounder Parrotts of
Captain Braxton's battery. Still farther to the left and on an elevation more commanding,
though farther from the river, were located an effective I2-pounder Whitworth under Captain
Barnwell, my ordnance-officer, and two 10-pounder Parrotts under Captain Hardaway.
Nearer to the river, and still to the left, positions were by Colonel Long assigned
to a battery of four 6-pounders to sweep the road on the opposite shore, and to their left
two 10-pounder Parrotts of a Louisiana battery (the names of their officers are not remembered)
. There being no favorable positions for other guns, the eleven remaining
of the forty-four mentioned were removed beyond range, to be called up if required.

These arrangements had not been all completed when, about eight A.M. of the 19th,
the enemy appeared on the distant heights opposite and found our army entirely and
safely across the ford and on the Virginia side of the Potomac.

They soon brought up and opened artillery much exceeding ours in weight. Still,
our rifles did excellent service in keeping at bay for hours the entire hostile force,—
artillery, cavalry, and infantry,—which in various positions appeared, care being taken
not to waste ammunition in mere long-range exchanges of shot. Our troops that had
been briefly resting in the valleys were now ordered farther inland, to be out of reach
of the shells, etc., so numerously hurled by the enemy, yet near enough to turn readily
upon and perhaps destroy the adverse army should it force the passage of the river and
take position between it and our forces.

From yourself I received instructions to hold the position all that day and the night
succeeding, unless the pressure should become too great, in which event I was at my
discretion to withdraw after dark, it being most unlikely that a discreet commander
would then risk the destruction of his entire army, by getting it across in the night
and being assailed when in disorder next morning, with such a river behind him.
Should I find it best at nightfall to withdraw I was to follow the track of our army.

I was informed also that two brigades of infantry would remain as a support to
the ford,—defending artillery, those of Generals Armistead and Lawton,—these commanded,
the former by Colonel Hodges and the latter by Colonel Lamar. They were
to picket the ford and, screening themselves as well as possible, to act as sharpshooters
on the bank. I was by General Longstreet requested to take charge of these
brigades I did so, and instructed the colonels commanding to keep their force at the
ford strong, vigilant, and as well sheltered as occasion allowed, and to have the
residue well in hand, back of adjacent hills for protection till needed. My directions
were also given them not to fire merely in reply to shots from the other side, but only
to repel any attempt at crossing and to guard the ford. My own position was chosen
at a point central, moderately protected by conformation of ground, at the same time
commanding the general view and accessible from every direction, with as little exposure
of messengers as any one place in such a scene could be. And here, except
when some personal inspection or order had to be given requiring temporary absence,
I remained for best service throughout the day.

During most of the forenoon the enemy's fire was furious, and under cover of it, in
spite of persistent vigor on the part of our batteries, a heavy body of sharp-shooters
gained the canal-bank on the northern and hostile side of the river. This proved to

us an evil not slightly trying, since it exposed our nearer cannoneers to be picked off
when serving their guns by the enemy's effective infantry rifles.

From the advanced batteries on the left I was, therefore, applied to for some infantry
to counteract in part this evil, by availing themselves of any cover at hand, to serve as
sharp-shooters on that part of our side. I accordingly ordered to the duty two hundred
of the infantry in reserve.

After some time the cavalry officer commanding at the ford two miles below notified
me that the enemy was before him in force, had planted a powerful battery, and could
not be prevented crossing unless I sent him some infantry. Considering the importance
of thus securing our flank, I judged it proper to send him also an infantry force of between
one and two hundred men. Of the extent of loss at Sharpsburg from the two
brigades left with me and of their consequent very small numbers, all told, I had not
been informed when their assignment to my direction was made. In providing, therefore,
for protecting right and left as described I was not aware of infantry weakness
for the ford itself. This was, however, as the evening progressed made to me only too
certain. The enemy's fire which had for a season relaxed became fiercer than before,
and so directed as to rake most of the hollows as well as the hills we occupied. At
the same time their infantry at the canal breastwork was much increased, and the crack
of their sharp-shooters became a continuous roll of musketry. Colonels Lamar and
Hodges both reported to me that the pressure on their small force—the whole of which
remaining I had ordered to the river, and the sum total when all were there was, they
informed me, scarcely three hundred—was becoming too great to be borne. I directed
them to hold on an hour longer; sunset was at hand, and I had communicated with
Colonel Munford, who promised at dark to be with us; that by that time I would have
the batteries withdrawn; they should, after due notice, retire next the batteries; and
the cavalry should fall in between them and the enemy, so that all would get rightly
out. This plan I judged it under the circumstances best on the whole to adopt in the
discretion left with me, as the reason of the case already indicated seemed not to justify
the sacrifice incident to utmost resistance against any crossing. While these directions
were passing the commanders of battery after battery notified me that their ammunition
was exhausted and that they were thus exposed to small purpose. Their request
for permission to retire under such circumstances it was not deemed wise to grant
wherever the movement could be seen by the enemy. In cases where they could get
back unseen it was sanctioned. Instructions were sent to each battery, besides, to retire
in specified order as dusk deepened to conceal them in so doing. It was, of course, a
critical and anxious hour, inasmuch as a dashing force might, on the necessary reduction
of our fire, get across and capture some of our longest-served and latest-removed guns.

Deep dusk had now arrived. Certain batteries as allowed were on their way inland,
while others as directed were well using ammunition still on hand. My own
position was taken near the point of chief importance, directly back from the ford, so
that I might the better know of and control each requisite operation. The members
of my staff vigorously seconded my endeavors under furious fire in carrying orders
and supervising their fulfilment, and everything appeared likely, under favoring Providence,
to result in effecting the withdrawal planned.

This prospect was, however, suddenly changed. A number of infantrymen rushed
rapidly by the point I occupied; arresting them, I learned that they were of the sharpshooters
who held guard at the ford, that their body had all given way, and that some
of the enemy were already on our side of the river. Worn as were these men, their

state of disorder akin to panic was not justly to be met with harshness; they were,
however, encouraged to be steady and useful in checking disorder and affording such
tokens as they might in the settling dark of force to make the enemy cautious.

No other means had I of keeping back an advance. All my staff were at the moment
absent but two, one of whom was instantly sent to find as carefully as possible
the state of facts towards the ford, the other to secure the orderly retirement of the last
batteries and of everything attached to my own head-quarters, evidences being unmistakable
that the reported crossing was in part a fact.

My personal situation was all the while necessarily much exposed, and now to easy
capture, accessible as it was to cavalry in a few moments should such have crossed and
be coming forward.

The arrival of our own cavalry being now unlikely, I had to determine at once what
duty required of myself. The enemy would doubtless adopt one of two courses,—
either, shrinking from hidden danger, cautiously proceed only a hundred or two yards,
or, more adventurous, push on a force along the chief road as he could find it. In the
former case our guns, etc., would, as considerately instructed, get fairly out of reach,
and this was in the main my expectation; still, the other course—a pushing, hostile
force—had to be provided for. I therefore proceeded to a point in the road probably
not then reached by any party of the enemy, on foot and leading my horse, and accompanied
by my adjutant and ordnance-sergeant, who had rejoined me along a path still
thundered over by the enemy's shells and crossing the road inland from the river.
Those shells were obviously indicative of no intended advance of any considerable
body of the enemy; firing on their own troops thus would scarcely be risked. Along
the road I found the rear of our artillery column properly moving. Mounting here, I
rode with the column, and employed the two young officers in moving our hospital
camp and enforcing order along the entire column.

While thus proceeding I learned that General Pryor was resting not far ahead with
the division under his command. Finding him perhaps within two miles of the river,
I made known to him the state of facts and asked of him a detail to go back with me,
that I might at least, were any guns captured, recover them, or endangered secure
them. The general thought the responsibility too serious for him to assume and requested
me to refer the matter to General Hood, supposed near. General Hood's staff
was found on the march, but himself—unwell, I was told—I did not see, No one
could inform me where General Longstreet was. To find yourself, then, was clearly
my next duty. This, in the extreme darkness and amid the intricacies of unknown
routes, proved a task of no little difficulty and delay.

At length succeeding and making known to you the main facts, I was instructed to
do no more till morning, when measures would be taken suited to circumstances, and
meantime to secure a few hours of necessary rest. Early the next morning I had the
privilege of accompanying a force under General Jackson sent to punish the enemy,
of attending that honored officer and friend in the exposure incident to his command,
and of witnessing the destructive chastisement inflicted upon the several thousands that
had crossed and remained on the south side of the river. Under the immediate orders
of General A. P. Hill, his division made upon that doomed body of the enemy a resistless
charge to their actual extermination. The furious fire of the enemy from beyond
the Potomac, though necessarily harmful at first, proved far less damaging than it must
otherwise have been, because such direction had to be given their pieces as to spare
their own troops receiving the charge.

This severe work having been accomplished, I found that but four of our pieces had
been lost; these, their horses being killed and the men being too weary to drag them
away, had been spiked and left. They were next morning found by the enemy and
thrown over the cliffs before General Jackson's arrival to destroy themselves.

About noon of this day,—Saturday, September 20,—returning from Shepherdstown
along the Winchester road, about four miles on the way, I joined our batteries commanded
by Major Nelson. With others similarly instructed by myself, he had been diligently engaged
the previous evening in causing batteries to be withdrawn in order as directed, and
the anticipated caution of the enemy had allowed them all to get back with no further damage
than the leaving of one gun apiece by each of four batteries, as already mentioned.

Captain Maurin, an officer of tried merit, was, as said, compelled to spike and leave
a 10-pounder Parrott; Captain Milledge, a 12-pounder brass howitzer; Captain M.
Johnson, also a 12-pounder brass howitzer; and Captain Huckstep, an iron 6-pounder.

The brass howitzer 12-pounder left by Captain Milledge proves, I regret to report,
to have been a gun marked with the coat of arms of our own commonwealth and belonging
to the Virginia Military Institute, and to have been on these accounts especially
valued. The Confederate States government will, I hope and earnestly recommend,
have of it a fac-simile made and returned to the Virginia Military Institute.

Besides these losses we had in the batteries three men killed and four wounded, and
of horses twenty-six killed and disabled. What casualties occurred in the infantry
under Colonels Lamar and Hodges I have not been informed. Those officers have
reported, I take for granted, through their division commanders.

That the immense force of the enemy was so effectually kept back and our army
quietly relieved from disturbance by the persistent vigor and endurance of our comparatively
small repelling strength, and with no greater loss, is assuredly cause for
thankfulness to the Giver of good and occasion for just appreciation of fidelity on the
part of officers and men who performed the service.

Major Nelson's cool courage and persistent vigor throughout the day and in the
trying hour at its close deserve especial mention. His services were of great value.
Captains Hardaway, Kirkpatrick, Braxton, Maurin, indeed every artillery officer from
time to time under my eye and as otherwise known by me, performed stern duty, I am
satisfied, with commendable resolution and skill, as did the men. Captain Barnwell,
of my staff, distinguished himself by the efficiency with which, under ceaseless exposure
to shells hurled at his position, he managed our accurate Whitworth gun. My
aide, Lieutenant Charles Hatcher, and Sergeant Major Robert Jones also deserve honorable
mention for the alacrity with which they bore my messages in every direction
under hottest fire. Other members of my staff were for the most part absent on duty
previously assigned. To Colonels Lamar and Hodges and the troops they commanded
credit is justly due for the persevering determination with which they bore during all
the day a fire doubly galling, of case-shot from the enemy's cannon and of musketry
from the vastly outnumbering infantry force sheltered by the canal bank across the river.
Not until overworn did the handful of our sharp-shooters at all give way, and that
would probably have been prevented could a double number partly sheltered by trees,
etc., have allowed relief in action.

Thankful that so much was done with such partial loss, I have the honor to be, most
respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHILTON TO PENDLETON.

General—The commanding general wishes you to have constructed immediately
a wide bridge over the canal opposite the ford. You can either do it by making a
bridge on a level with the tow-path or by digging the banks on either side so as
to pass down and up easily, causewaying the bottom so as to make the crossing
easy.

LEE TO PENDLETON.

General—I desire you to keep some artillery guarding each of the fords at Williamsport,
Falling Waters, and Shepherdstown, and have some infantry with it if
possible.

CHILTON TO PENDLETON.

General—If you have fifteen or twenty guns suitable for our purpose which you
can spare, the general desires you to send them, with a sufficiency of ammunition.
You must not take them from the fords, if essential to their safety. Send up the
stragglers. Take any cavalry about there and send up at the point of the sword.
We want ammunition, guns, and provisions.

CHILTON TO PENDLETON.

General,—The commanding general says that if the enemy is in force in your
front you must retire to-night. If not in force, being merely an artillery force, withdraw
the infantry forces, directing them to join their respective divisions on the march
to morrow, a few guns and a small cavalry force being sufficient to guard the fords.