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CHAPTER XIV.
DEPARTURE FROM THE BATTLE FIELD.
September 22d.—The Second Corps drew but over
the battle field, passing through Sharpsburg, and thence along the foot of
Maryland Heights, to Harper's Ferry. When we arrived at the ferry, and saw
the immense height, its natural strength, and perfectly apparent
defensibility, it elicited the most uncomplimentary allusions, from
officers and men, to those who had so ignominiously surrendered it to the
enemy, the men swearing they could have held it with brick bats. Indeed,
one would believe its surrender, under the circumstances, the most
cowardly and disgraceful transaction of the war.
Harper's Ferry was surrendered on the 15th of September by Col. MILES,
with 12,000 men, and Maryland Heights was abandoned by Col. TOM
FORD,
without firing a shot, and his guns tumbled over the declivity. This
opened the road for JACKSON's corps to join LEE without further trouble.
We forded the Potomac just above the railroad bridge, and, passing through
the village of Harper's Ferry, went into camp on Bolivar Heights. The next
day our tents arrived, and our camps were regularly laid out and tents
pitched. This was the first we had seen of them since leaving the
Peninsula. Our rest was indeed sweet in a secure camp, and under our own
tents once more. The
routine of camp life, guard and picket duty and regular drills, was
inaugurated at once. Paymaster Bull arrived, and paid us on the 28th,
which was to all a most welcome event, as we had not been paid since we
left Luray, in May, our exchequers being consequently exhausted. Sutlers
were on hand with fresh supplies. "Soft bread" was issued, and we soon
forgot the hardships of the campaign. RECONNAISSANCE TO LEESBURG.
On the 1st day of October, Gen. KIMBALL, in command of a force
composed of his brigade, the Sixth U.
S.. Cavalry and FRANK's battery, left
camp at daylight on an expedition to dislodge a force of Rebels at
Leesburg. Being the ranking regimental officer present, the writer was in
command of the brigade. We crossed the Shenandoah at its confluence with
the Potomac on a Pontoon bridge, and then followed the Potomac for some
miles until we had cleared the base of Loudon mountain, when we marched
directly for Leesburg through the rich and beautiful farms of Loudon
county. These people were generally loyal and greeted us with smiles
instead of the ill-natured sneers usually met with in Virginia. The day
was excessively hot, and as we passed along the foot of the mountain not a
breath of air was to be felt. The cavalry and artillery moved out
considerably in advance, and fearing an attack; orders were sent back
hurrying up the infantry. In the hurried march many of the men fell out
absolutely, overcome by the heat. The enemy, however, on our approach
abandoned Leesburg, a few of their rear guard and some picket posts being
captured. We bivouaced near the town during the night, and next day moved
a
few miles up the Snicker's Gap road, and again bivouaced for the night,
not having come upon any rebel force. About the time our tired men had got
fairly to sleep, we were signaled from Loudon Heights to return, there
being evidence that a force of Rebel cavalry from Snicker's Gap was
attempting to cut us off.
Our weary fellows were roused up and formed and a rapid march commenced.
The cavalry were kept on our flanks, but no enemy attempted to molest us.
We arrived in camp about daylight next morning, tired, weary and perhaps a
little unamiable in temper.
On the 5th day of October, the writer received a leave of absence for
twenty days to visit Ohio for medical treatment. On this evening the
officers of the regiment presented me with an elegant sword, and our Sutler Mr.
PHINEAS MERWIN presented the regiment with two . elegant flags. I left the next day for Ohio, the regiment being in command of Major A.
H. WINSLOW, until the 20th of November.
The Second Corps remained on Bolivar Heights until the 29th of October,
having the usual routine of camp duty. During the time the Eighth Regiment
participated in a reconnaissance to Halltown.
About this time the War Department issued an order permitting the officers
of the regular army to recruit, not to exceed twelve men, from any one
company in the volunteer. service. Under this order some sixty-two men
were induced to leave the regiment, most of whom enlisted in the 6th U.
S. Cavalry. We always regarded this order as very unjust to the volunteer
service. No circumstance during our term of service was sq mortifying to
the officers of the regiment as this depletion of our ranks. New regiments
were being organized in
every part of the State, and hence it was an impossibility to get new
recruits for an old regiment. We were thus left to do the duties and
maintain the honor of a regiment with this reduced and insufficient
number of men. The men were now amply provided with .all the necessary
equipage and clothing for the winter, and were uneasy for something other
than camp duty. Gen. LEE with his army had remained in sight of us (we
could; see the smoke and lights of his camp), since the battle of
Antietam. The President and Secretary of War had urged MCCLELLAN to
attack. This he refused to do, greatly to the disgust of the army and the
nation, but toward the latter part of October, we heard of LEE's moving
slowly up the valley, gathering crops, cattle and recruits, apparently
with no one to molest or make him afraid. |
