University of Virginia Library

GENERAL LEE IN MARYLAND.

The progress of events, now, for the first time during the struggle,
leads us to a new theater of war within the recognized dominion of the
Federal Government.

On the 4th of September General Lee took the offensive, and leaving
on his right Arlington Heights, whither the shattered forces of General
Pope had been driven from the valley, crossed the Potomac river and
entered Maryland. Two objects were in view: the first, the capture of
Harpers Ferry; and the second, to test the spirit of the Marylanders,
and thus learn whether their proffered aid in support of the Confederacy
could be relied upon. Attention was diverted from this expedition by
a demonstration upon Pennsylvania, which so alarmed its governor,
Curtin, that he called out the entire available force of the State, and
made every preparation for defense. During the consequent excitement
which prevailed throughout the Northern States, General Lee was in
reality directing his movements against Virginia, and for the more
effectual accomplishment of his purpose, divided his force into three
corps, commanded respectively by Generals Jackson, Longstreet and
Hill. The first recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport, and having occupied
Martinsburg, passed rapidly to the south of Harpers Ferry, the
object being the capture of the arms and stores there. In the meanwhile
the commands of Hill and Longstreet were stationed to cover the
movements of Jackson, and thus hold at bay the forces of McClellan,
which were marching to the relief of Harpers Ferry, then held by
a force of ten or twelve thousand men under General Miles. General
Lee, foreseeing that the design of the Federal officers was to attack and
defeat the Confederates in detail before their forces could be reunited, to
frustrate this expectation, sent the division of General D. H. Hill to take
a position at the mountain post known as Boonesboro Gap. Here, on
the 14th of September, was fought the

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ARMORIAL BOOK-PLATE

Of Colonel William Byrd, of "Westover," James
River, who founded Richmond in 1737.