ton turnpike about two miles west of Fairfax. Gen. Reno was pushed north of the turnpike at a point about two and a half miles east of Centreville, and supported by Gen. Kearny's division of Gen. Heintzelman's corps.

Late in the afternoon the force of Gen. Lee, composed of infantry and cavalry, approached Germantown by the Little River turnpike, and were met by Gen. Hooker at that place and by Gen. Reno farther west. The conflict raged for an hour, when they concentrated their force on the left of Gen. Reno's line, which was commanded by Gen. Stevens. Their intention was to turn his left flank. Gen. Stevens was soon killed by a bullet through his head, and his troops were driven back. The Confederate force now began to advance on the main body of Gen. Reno, which was short of ammunition, when the division of Gen. Kearny came up and took the position occupied by the troops of Gen. Stevens. Night had now set in, rendered thickly dark by a thunder storm. The rain fell in torrents, and the position of the contending armies was revealed only by the flashes of lightning. At this time Gen. Kearny, anxious to know the nature of the ground upon which he expected so soon to fight, rode out to examine it. Inadvertently he passed the line of his own pickets and approached those of the Confederate force, when he was shot by one of them. He was soon missed from his camp, and not being found, Gen. Birney took command of the division. During the next day his body was brought in under a Confederate flag of truce. Thus two most valuable

officers and brave soldiers were slain in this conflict. After Gen. Birney had taken command, he ordered a bayonet charge to be made by Col. Egan, commanding the 1st and 40th, and Col. Ward, of the 38th New York regiments, before which the enemy retired.

By morning, on the 2d of September, the whole of Gen. Pope's army was massed behind Difficult creek, between Germantown, Flint Hill, and Fairfax. On that day orders were issued by the general-in-chief for the Army of Virginia to fall back within the defences of Washington. The object of the general-in-chief in giving this order was "to reorganize the different corps, to get the stragglers back into the ranks, and to supply deficiencies of ammunition, clothing," &c. This movement was executed on the 2d and 3d of September. During these days might be seen on the roads leading to Alexandria and the fortifications around Washington, the worn and bleeding fragments of the once proud armies of the North, as they straggled in from their fifteen bloody days of fighting and retreating. There were the remnants of the decimated regiments of Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan-stragglers belonging to every army corps, wounded, weak, and dispirited, retiring before a victorious enemy to obtain safety in the fortifications. Many of them had fought their way up the peninsula, contesting almost every inch from Williamsburg against bullets and bayonets until they stood in sight of the spires of Richmond, and then were required to abandon their position and withdraw.

THE rebel force which was repulsed near Centreville on Monday night, September 2d, moved toward Vienna, about twelve miles west from Washington, for the purpose of making a demonstration near the Chain Bridge, and the fords of the Potomac above Washington. The chief object in this movement was to divert the attention of the Federal officers from what Gen. Lee was doing elsewhere. The with drawal of the army of Gen. Pope left the field clear for the army of Gen. Lee to follow it, and assault the strong fortifications of Washington, or to pass over the Potomac into Maryland. The assault upon the fortifications of Washington was not to be thought of. But the invasion of Maryland might be followed by such a welcome from the mass of the citizens, and such cooperation, as to enable Gen. Lee not only to hold a portion of the State, but to

attack Washington in the rear, and perhaps invade Pennsylvania. In any event it would be a demonstration to the Federal Government, and to nations in Europe, of the vigorous energy and strength of the Richmond Government. Accordingly, on the 31st of August, while Gen. Pope was resting his exhausted forces at Centreville, Gen. Lee drew off the main body of his army and moved to Leesburg. Thence he moved to the Potomac, near Point of Rocks, and crossed at Noland's Ford, five miles below, and at a ford three miles above on the 5th. His force consisted of the divisions of Gens. Longstreet, Jackson, Ewell, A. P. Hill, and D. H. Hill. It proceeded along the eastern slope of the Catoctin Mountains, in the direction of Frederick, Maryland. On the night of the 5th the advance reached White Oak Springs, about three miles from that city, which is fifty

miles from Centreville. On the same night information was received at Frederick of the approach of the Confederate force, and it produced much excitement. A large number of the inhabitants fled toward Pennsylvania and Baltimore. Frederick, the capital of the State of Maryland, is forty-four miles northwest of Washington, and sixty miles west of Baltimore. It is the second city of the State in wealth and commercial importance, and the third in population, containing 8,143 inhabitants. The military force in the city consisted of only one company, which could make no opposition. The Federal provost marshal removed all the military stores possible, and, leaving enough for the hospitals, in which there were about six hundred patients, burned the remainder. About ten o'clock the next morning, the 6th, the Confederate troops quietly entered the city. These soldiers were in a destitute condition, in respect to clothes and shoes, yet the most scrupulous regard was had to private property. They had no tents, nor were burdened with any baggage. Their only trains were ammunition trains. If enduring great hardships without a murmur, and most bravely and heroically fight ing, are evidences of good soldiers, seldom has the world witnessed better than those who composed the army of Gen. Lee. A Confederate provost marshal was appointed (Bradley Johnson), and a proclamation issued to the citizens, stating that the army came as friends, and not as enemies, to relieve the people of Maryland from the tyranny by which they were oppressed; that they did not purpose to interfere with any non-combatants, or to disturb private property, or to inquire into the opinions of citizens; and that whatever stores they required would be paid for, either in Confederate notes or United States Treasury notes, as the seller might prefer. At night the soldiers were all ordered to their camps outside of the city. Meantime foraging parties were sent out in various directions, which returned at evening with droves of sheep, cattle, hogs, and horses. These droves were all taken toward the Potomac. Pickets were thrown out from Frederick both east and west for considerable distances. On Sunday they were reported to have advanced within seven miles of Westminster, causing a great excitement in the town, but disappeared during the night. No Confederate force, however, came farther east at that time than Uniontown, twenty miles from Westminster. The main body encamped for some days on a line between Frederick and the Potomac river. Recruiting offices were opened in the city, and citizens invited to enlist. Very few volunteers, however, were obtained.

On the 8th, Gen. Lee issued the following address to the people of Maryland:

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
NEAR FREDERICKTOWN, Sept. 8, 1862.

To the People of Maryland:

It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the army under my command within the

limits of your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves.

watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and The people of the Confederate States have long outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political, and commercial ties, and reduced to the condition of a conquered province. Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned, upon no charge, and contrary to all the forms of law.

A faithful and manly protest against this outrage, whom in his better days no citizen appealed for right made by a venerable and illustrious Marylander, to in vain, was treated with scorn and contempt.

The government of your chief city has been usurped by armed strangers; your Legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its members; freedom of the press and of speech has been suppressed; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal executive; and citizens ordered to be tried by military commissions for what they may dare to speak.

Believing that the people of Maryland possess a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore the independence and sovereignty of your State. you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been so unjustly despoiled.

In obedience to this wish, our army has come among

This, citizens of Maryland, is our mission so far as You are concerned. No restraint upon your free will is intended-no intimidation will be allowed within the limits of this army at least. Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of you in every opinion.

It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint. This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be; and, while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free will.

R. E. LEE, General Commanding.

On the 10th Gen. Lee began to evacuate Frederick, and by the 12th his entire force had left. His forces moved in the direction of Hagerstown. That same night the city was occupied by the advance of Gen. McClellan's army, under Gen. Hooker.

On the afternoon of the 10th, Hagerstown was entered by a Confederate force. On the 6th and 7th the banks of the town, anticipating this approach, removed their specie to Harrisburg and other places east for safety. The Government stores there were also removed.

Meantime, on the first approach of the Confederate army across the Potomac, the greatest excitement prevailed in Pennsylvania, especially in York and Adams counties, and through the Susquehanna and Cumberland valleys. The farmers sent away their wives, children, and cattle, and hastened to take up arms. In many of the towns of the State stores were closed, bells rung, guns fired, public meetings held, and citizens in their excitement assembled in mass to drill. On the 10th Gov. Curtin issued an order calling upon all the able bodied men of Pennsylvania to organize immediately for the defenco of the State, and to be ready

for marching orders upon an hour's notice. On the 11th he issued a call for fifty thousand of the freemen of the State to enter immediate service to repel the imminent danger of invasion. On the same day he addressed the following despatch to the mayor of Philadelphia: We have reliable information this evening that the rebel generals have moved their entire army from Frederick to Cumberland Valley, and their destination is now Harrisburg and Philadelphia. We need every available man immediately. Stir up your population to-night. Form them into companies, and send us twenty thousand to-morrow. No time can be lost in massing a force on the Susquehanna to defend the State and your city. Arouse every man possible and send him here.

Gov. Bradford, of Maryland, also issued a proclamation calling upon the citizens to organize without delay such a force as might effectually assist in defending their homes and firesides. The effect of these appeals, especially in Pennsylvania, was to bring to the governor a response from more than seventy-five thousand men. Harrisburg, the capital, overflowed with troops. The excitement, however, was not confined to Pennsylvania. In the adjacent States, troops under the first call for three hundred thousand men were hurried to Washington and to Harrisburg. It created another military excitement, and volunteers promptly came forward in all the States to fill up the call of the President.

On the 2d of September, the following order was issued by the general-in-chief:

War Department, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, September 2, 1862. General Orders, No. 122. Maj. Gen. McClellan will have command of the fortifications of Washington, and of all the troops for the defence of the capital.

By command of Maj.-Gen. HALLECK. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assist. Adj.-Gen.

When Gen. McClellan arrived at Washington from Harrison's Landing, he was in the department of Gen. Pope, which included the District of Columbia. This was about the middle of August. Subsequent to that time he was without a command, excepting a body of ninety-six men, until this order was issued. Each corps of his army had been sent forward to Gen. Pope. In fact the active forces under the command of Gen. Pope consisted of the Army of Virginia, embracing the corps of Gens. McDowell, Banks, Sigel, a portion of Gen. Cox's force from western Virginia, a part of Gen. Burnside's force from North Carolina, about ten regiments from Port Royal in South Carolina, under Gen. Stevens, and the Army of the Potomac, consisting of the corps of Gens. Heintzelman, Sumner, Porter, and Franklin, and the divisions of Gens. McCall and Couch, without including the troops stationed in the fortifications around Washington. With this force he was not able to withstand the overwhelming march of the Confederate army. Yet this same Confederate army was the force which the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. McClellan, single handed and unaided, was re

quired to meet and conquer, and thus obtain the capital of the Confederacy, which was in their possession. In this unequal struggle no dishonor ever tarnished the Army of the Potomac.

On the 4th of September, Gen. McClellan, having received the order above stated, issued another assuming command of the forces above mentioned, together with some new levies which had arrived at Washington under the call of the President for three hundred thousand men. His order assuming the command acted like an electric shock upon these dispirited, defeated masses. It was as follows:

HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 1862.
General Orders, No. 1.

1. Pursuant to General Orders No. 122, from the War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, of the 2d instant, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the fortifications of Washington and of all troops for the defence of the capital.

of the Potomac will be in charge of their respective 2. The heads of the staff departments of the Army departments at these headquarters.

8. In addition to the consolidated morning reports required by circular of this date from these headquar ters, reports will be made by corps commanders as to their compliance with the assignment to positions heretofore given them, stating definitely the ground occupied and covered by their command, and as to what progress has been made in obedience to orders already issued to place their commands in condition for immediate service. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Maj.-Gen. Official: S. WILLIAMS, Assist. Adj.-General.

Three

It was now known that Gen. Lee had marched into Maryland, and the orders given to Gen. McClellan were to pursue him with all the troops which were not required for the defence of Washington. On the next day most of his army was in motion, and rapidly advanced into Maryland. Gen. Couch's division, consisting of three brigades, commanded by Gens. Howe, Devens, and Cochrane, on the morning of the 6th had reached the road from Rockville to Great Falls, eight miles beyond Tenallytown. Other corps were rapidly pressing on. days after assuming command, on the 7th, at six P. M., he left Washington to take the field. That night he passed through Rockville, fifteen miles from Washington, stopping only long enough to refresh his horses. On the morning of the 10th, the army had advanced to Damascus, thirty-four miles from Washington and sixteen miles from Frederick. The first movements of the army were such as to occupy positions which commanded all the lower fords of the Potomac, thus presenting to the Confederate army the alternative of meeting him in battle, or retiring before him, and crossing the Potomac higher up, which would take them further from Washington, and oblige them to retreat through the Shenandoah Valley.

Meantime Gen. Lee, after his successes against Gen. Pope, had no reason to apprehend that the same army would soon be in pursuit of him; yet, like a prudent commander, he, upon learning of the approach of Gen. McClellan, immediately took precautions to secure his own safety. His army had met with no such

welcome from the citizens of Maryland as to give any hope that the State would, under any circumstances, rise in opposition to the Federal Government. On the contrary the people had shown that it was the Government of their choice. Very few recruits had joined the Confederate army, and no contributions of importance had been made to it. The following is a copy of Gen. Lee's order of march, found at Frederick, on the 13th of September. It discloses his plans:

[CONFIDENTIAL.]

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Sept. 9, 1862.

Special Order, No. 191.

III. The army will resume its march to-morrow, taking the Hagerstown road. Gen. Jackson's command will form the advance, and after passing Middleton with such portion as he may select, take the route toward Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and by Friday morning take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry. IV. Gen. Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as Boonsboro', where it will halt with reserve, supply, and baggage trains of the army.

V. Gen. McLaws, with his own division and that of Gen. R. H. Anderson, will follow Gen. Longstreet, on reaching Middleton will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the Maryland Heights, and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and vicinity.

VI. Gen. Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object in which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Check's Ford, ascend its right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Loudon Heights, if praticable, by Friday morning, keep the ford on his left, and the road between the end of mountain and the Potomac on his right. He will, as far as practicable, cooperate with Gen. McLaws and Gen. Jackson in intercepting the retreat of the enemy.

VII. Gen. D. H. Hill's division will form the rear guard of the army, pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery, ordnance, and supply trains will precede Gen. Hill. VIII. Gen. Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the commands of Gens. Longstreet, Jackson, and MeLaws, and with the main body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army, and bring up all stragglers that may have been left behind.

IX. The commands of Gens. Jackson, McLaws, and Walker, after accomplishing the objects for which they have attached [been detached?], will join the main body of the army at Boonsboro' or Hagerstown.

X. Each regiment on the march, will habitually carry its axes in the regimental ordnance wagons for use of the men at their encampments to procure wood, &c. By command of Gen. R. E. LEE. (Signed) R. H. CHILTON, A. A.-General. For Maj.-Gen. D. H. HILL, Comd'g Division.

It is clear from this order that Gen. Lee intended first to capture the garrison at Harper's Ferry, and then to enter Pennsylvania by the Cumberland Valley; at all events, that he had no idea of abandoning Maryland until forced to do so by the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He evacuated Frederick, and taking the road to Hagerstown crossed the Catoctin Mountains, passed through the valley in which Middletown is situated, and drew up his forces along the crest of South Mountain there to await the advance of Gen. McClellan. At the same time he detached a portion of his force, amount

ing to twenty-five thousand men, and sent them to Harper's Ferry by the route of Williamsport, where they crossed the Potomac. The chief command of this force was given to Gen. Jackson. It embraced his division with those of Gens. A. P. Hill and Walker, and one or two others. By this route, although longer, they were more certain to reach Harper's Ferry without the knowledge of the Federal Government than if their movement had been more direct. The distance from Frederick to Williamsport was thirty miles, and from Williamsport to Harper's Ferry thirty miles.

The advance of Gen. McClellan entered Frederick on the 12th, and he immediately sent forward cavalry and artillery to follow and harass the Confederate rear. Gen. Pleasanton was in command of the cavalry, and several skirmishes took place during the succeeding days. The line of the Federal army extended from the Potomac river in the region of Point of Rocks in a northeasterly direction to the region near Frederick, and thence in an easterly and southerly direction along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Baltimore. On Saturday the 13th, the main column of Gen. McClellan's army reached Frederick, and was received with the highest demonstrations and encamped two miles beyond. The same afternoon the Confederate rear was driven by his advance out of Middletown, which was held by the latter during the night. West of Frederick and running nearly due south is the Catoctin range of mountains, a continuation of the Blue Ridge. On the south it terminates in Maryland at Point of Rocks, but still continues in Virginia. On the north it unites at the Pennsylvania State line with the South Mountain range, which, tending to the southwest, slopes down to the Potomac at Knoxville four miles east of Harper's Ferry. Between these two ranges, nestles the loveliest valley in Maryland-the valley of Catoctin. The village of Middletown, ten miles from Frederick, is in the centre of this valley. On Sunday morning, the 14th, the Confederate army were found posted on the east side of the South Blue Ridge Mountain and stretching on a line from north to south from points immediately opposite Middletown and Jefferson, both of which villages are about eight miles from Frederick. Middletown is on the road to Hagerstown and Jefferson on the direct road to Harper's Ferry. The right of the Federal army, at that time under Gen. Burnside, rested on Middletown, and the left under Gen. Franklin on Jefferson. Early in the morning, the advance beyond Middletown overtook the Confederate rear, who retreated slowly, contesting the road toward Boonsboro' step by step. The conflict that ensued during the morning was chiefly with artillery, and came to closer quarters in the afternoon. At this time the Confederate line of battle was formed with the left resting upon Turner's Gap and the turnpike road toward Hagerstown which passes through the gap, and the right covering Crampton's Gap.

Preparations for moving the main body of the Federal army had commenced at daylight, and shortly after the whole army was advancing rapidly toward the mountains followed by the ambulances, artillery, and baggage wagons. Middletown was reached with ease, beyond which was now the scene of conflict. As they approached the field the long black lines of infantry were halted and opened to make way for the artillery and ammunition trains which advanced to their positions.

The battle of South Mountain really commenced at a bridge over Catoctin Creek half a mile west of Middletown, where Confederate artillery had been posted to dispute the passage. Dislodged from this position it retreated to a stronger one up the mountain side. The main body was massed on wooded bluffs to the right and left for a distance of more than two miles. On the right of Turner's Gap they were stormed out of their stronghold by Gen. Burnside's corps. Gen. Cox's Kanawha division in Gen. Reno's corps, attacked and carried the crest on the left of the gap. Of this division, the 23d Ohio, known as the "psalm singers of the Western Reserve," here came in contact with the 23d South Carolina, and the encounter was most stormy. So desperate were the Carolinians in the fight that before a single man surrendered he would beat his gun against a rock or tree to render it useless to his enemy. The Kanawha division was supported by the divisions of Gens. Wilcox, Rodman, and Sturgess. After very severe fighting they repulsed several attacks of the enemy, and retained entire possession of the crest. About 3 P. M., Gen. Hooker attacked the heights on the right of the pass, the Pennsylvania reserves leading, and after a desperate resistance carried the crest about dark, and held it. Shortly before dark Gen. Gibbon's brigade of Gen. Hooker's corps, attacked by the main road, and after an obstinate conflict gained the entrance to the pass some time after dark. Only by a display of equal valor in all the other regiments, and often at close quarters, was the enemy driven over the crest of the mountain into the valley on the west side of the South Mountain. In the centre and on the left, equally desperate was the battle. A severe fire of artillery had been opened all along the front. Under cover of this, the infantry advanced, and poured in a fire of musketry; this continued until 3 o'clock P. M. when the battle raged at its height. Success being soon gained on the right, desperate charges were made with the bayonet before which the Confederate troops wavered, broke, and fell back in confusion. The loss sustained by the Union forces was 2,325 killed and wounded. Among the killed was Gen. Reno, who was shot through the body. Turner's Gap, where the last desperate stand of the Confederate force on the right was made, is two miles from the base of the mountain. Six miles south is Crampton's Gap, through which passes the road from Jefferson to Roherville.

This

strong position on the left was carried by Gen. Franklin's corps, after a succession of brilliant bayonet charges. Gen. Franklin had followed the line of the Potomac_closely. On Saturday he reached Sugar Loaf Mountain, and drove out the Confederate cavalry occupying it for a signal station. On Sunday, he passed through the small village of Burkitsville, and advanced about a mile, when he met the Confederate pickets at the South Mountain range, and near Crampton's Gap. The gap was strongly held by a Confederate force under Gen. Howell Cobb, and his artillery immediately opened fire upon the Federal advance, which was under the command of Gen. Slocum. The division of Gen. Slocum consisted of three brigades under Gens. Bartlett, Torlitt, and Newton. These were formed in line of battle and ordered to advance up the side of the mountain. They had proceeded only a short distance before they came under the fire of a strong Confederate force concealed behind a stone wall running along the base of the gap. At this point a desperate hand to hand fight ensued which lasted nearly an hour, when the Confederate troops were routed. They did not attempt to make a stand again until they reached the crest of the mountain, where they turned and prepared to hold the Federal advance at bay. It came rushing up, composed of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania regiments, until the top of the mountain was gained, when another bloody struggle ensued. The Confederate force finally gave way and fell back in disorder down into the valley, leaving four hundred prisoners, three regimental colors, two pieces of artillery, and three thousand stand of arms. The Federal loss in this affair was one hundred and five killed, and four hundred and forty-eight wounded. The Confederate loss was still larger. The seizure of this gap exposed the flank of Gen. Lee's army, and brought the Federal left into Pleasant Valley, and within five miles of Harper's Ferry. That night the Federal army occupied the battle ground, and the Confederate army fell behind Antietam Creek and took a position admirably adapted for defence.

Meantime the Federal garrison at Winchester and Martinsburg had been ordered to Harper's Ferry, and the commanding officer at that post had been advised to confine his defence, in case he was attacked by a superior force, mainly to the position of Maryland Heights, which could be held a long time against overwhelming numbers. A large amount of artillery and stores had been collected at Harper's Ferry by the Federal Government, which it would have been necessary to destroy or leave to the enemy if the troops there had been withdrawn. It was therefore determined by the general-in-chief (Halleck) to hold the position until Gen. McClellan could relieve it, or open communication so that it could be evacuated in safety.

On Friday, the 12th of September, two days before the battle of South Mountain, the Confed