89. LXXXIX.
IN WHICH THE WRITER GETS OVER A GREAT DEAL OF
GROUND.
At nightfall Jackson had driven the enemy before him, with
heavy loss, including two of their best officers—Generals Kearney
and Stevens; and at dawn on the next morning the troops
advanced upon Fairfax Court-House.
The enemy had retreated during the night, and the inhabitants
received their deliverers with shouts of joy.
Thus the work was ended for the present upon the soil of Virginia;
and General Lee immediately put his army in motion for
Maryland.
Four or five days afterward, the Southern column forded the
Potomac near Leesburg, with the bands playing “Maryland, my
Maryland,” and the advance force pushed on and occupied Frederick
City.
Maryland did not receive us with arms very wide open; and
few, very few, ranged themselves under the “bonnie blue flag.”
But let not that old bitterness make me unjust. It was the
Union portion of the State which we entered. In the lower
counties and on the Eastern Shore there was a different population:
there they were friends, here they were—neutrals or
enemies.
For the Maryland campaign in all its details, see the histories.
Here is an outline:
From Frederick City, Jackson was sent to make a detour, by
way of Williamsport and Martinsburg, to the rear of Harper's
Ferry, where there were about eleven thousand Federal troops
and a large amount of artillery. The result is known. While
General Lee was opposing the advance of McClellan at South
Mountain, Jackson was closely investing Harper's Ferry. When
he had ringed it round with artillery and opened upon it from
every side, the Federal commander lost heart, and surrendered
his eleven thousand men and seventy-three guns.
As the place fell, McCellan burst through to its relief. But it
was too late. Jackson's heavy arm had fallen. The place was
in his hands, and, leaving a portion of his force to hold it, he
returned by a forced march to Sharpsburg, where General Lee
had concentrated his whole available force to fight McClellan.
You know, my dear reader, what followed. Thirty-three thousand
Southerners fought eighty-seven thousand there at Sharpsburg,
on a September day, and repulsed, from morn to evening,
every assault. These figures are General Lee's for his own
force—General McClellan's for that of the Federals. Thus the
Confederates fought nearly three to one at Sharpsburg.
Jackson, on our left, sustained the brunt of the attack. See
General McClellan's report, where he says his great assault was
with his right wing. Had he given way, the result would have
been wellnigh fatal. As it was, he drove General Hooker half a
mile, and at night was rooted immovably in his first position.
Lee remained in line of battle on the ensuing day, facing his
great adversary. General McClellan says that the condition of
his own army rendered a renewal of the battle impossible.
On the next morning General Lee recrossed the Potomac, and,
crowning the heights with his artillery, challenged them to attempt
to cross. The attempt was made, and in an hour the
column was driven into and across the river again, with the
bayonet.
That was the first and last attempt which was made to follow
General Lee.
He collected his straggling and broken-down men, rested and
provisioned his army, and, if the season had been June instead
of October, would have advanced upon Pennsylvania.
As it was, he rested.
