RETREAT OF THE REBELS FROM GETTYSBURG.
1863.--National Rejoicing.--The Enemy Retreating.--Feebly Pursued.
--Reconnoissances.--Kilpatrick Gives the Enemy a Fourth of July
Entertainment at Monterey Pass.--Storm and Terror.--Immense Train
Destroyed, and Hosts of Prisoners Taken.--Pitiable Condition of
Stuart's Cavalry.--Battle of Hagerstown.--Captains Penfield and
Dahlgren Wounded.--Wonderful Exploits of a Union Scout.--Kilpatrick
and Buford at Williamsport.--Cavalry Fight at Boonsboro'.--Stuart
Defeated.--Hagerstown Retaken.--Orders to Advance, One Day Too Late.
--Kilpatrick Chases the Flying Foe.--Fight at Falling Waters, Last
Act in the Drama.--Great Bravery of Union Troops.--Last Vestige of
the Invaders Wiped Out.--Bivouac and Rest.
The victory at Gettysburg, though purchased at so dear a price, when
announced to the people, produced a deep and widespread joy, which
contributed to make the Fourth of July doubly memorable. The gallant
behavior of our men furnished a theme for general exultation, and the
removal of the threatened disaster foreshadowed in the pompous and
successful invasion, made every true American breathe more freely.
But the work of the soldier was not yet done. The feet of the invaders
were still upon free soil; and though his ranks had been thinned by
desertions, and by unprecedented casualties in battle, and he had been
thwarted in all the important minutiae of his plan, he was still
formidable, and compelled to fight with desperation, if attacked, to
prevent utter destruction.
Some apprehension that the enemy was at least contemplating a speedy
retreat was entertained during the night that followed the third bloody
day. General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, urged General Meade to
advance in force upon the beaten foe, alleging that they were not only
greatly weakened by their losses, but undoubtedly demoralized, in
consequence of repulse and probable scarcity of ammunition. To ascertain
positively what could be of these probabilities, Pleasonton was directed
to make a reconnoissance toward the Rebel rear. Accordingly, several
detachments of cavalry were thrust out on different roads, where they
rode all night. General Gregg, on our right, went about twenty-two miles
on the road to Chambersburg, and returning early on the morning of the
fourth, reported that the road was strewn with wounded and stragglers,
ambulances and caissons, and general _debris_, which indicated that the
enemy was retreating as rapidly as possible, and was passing through a
terrible season of demoralization. The testimony of the mute witnesses
of disaster was corroborated by that of the many prisoners which easily
fell into Gregg's hands. Other expeditions, returning later in the day,
had similar reports to render of what they had seen and heard. And now
came the time for energetic cavalry movements. While our infantry was
resting, or engaged in burying our own and the Rebel dead within our
lines, the cavalry was despatched to do all the damage it could upon
the retreating Rebel columns.
KILPATRICK ON THEIR TRAIL.
Kilpatrick, having assembled his immortalized division on the plain at
the foot of Round Top, on the morning of the fourth, discoursed to them
eloquently for a few moments on the interests of the times. He assured
his men that their noble deeds were not passing by unnoticed, nor would
be unrequited, and that they were already a part of a grand history. He
trusted that their future conduct would be a fair copy of the past. But
his pathetic and patriotic accents had scarcely died upon the ear of his
brave command, when the shrill bugle-blast brought eager men and grazing
horses in line of march. Orders had been received by Kilpatrick to
repair as swiftly as possible to the passes in the Catoctin Mountains,
to intercept the enemy now known to be flying southward at a rapid rate.
The command had gone but a short distance when rain began to fall in
torrents, as is usually the case after great battles, especially when
much artillery is used. But through mud, in places to the horses'
bodies; through brooks swollen enormously, and through the falling
floods, the troopers pressed forward to the accomplishment of their
task. About five o'clock P. M. Kilpatrick reached Emmitsburg, where he
was joined by portions of General Gregg's command, including the Harris
Light, which had been kept mostly in reserve during the conflicts of the
past few days. Thus reenforced, this intrepid leader marched directly
toward the Monterey Pass, arriving at the foot of this rocky defile in
the mountains in the midst of pitchy darkness.
As was anticipated, a heavy Rebel train was then trying to make its
escape through the gorge, guarded by Stuart's Cavalry, with light
artillery. This artillery was planted in a position to rake the narrow
road upon which Kilpatrick was advancing. But the darkness was so
intense that the guns could be of little use, except to make the night
terribly hideous with their bellowings, the echoes of which reverberated
in the mountain gorges in a most frightful manner. To add to the horrors
of the scene and position, the rain fell in floods, accompanied with
groaning thunders, while lightnings flashed from cloud to cloud over our
heads, and cleft the darkness only to leave friend and foe enveloped in
greater darkness in the intervals of light. By these flashes, however,
we gained a momentary glimpse of each other's position, and as we dashed
forward in the gloom, we were further directed by the fire of the
artillery and the desultory fire of the cavalry.
Surgeon Moore gives the following account of this affair: "We do not
hesitate in saying, and have good reason to know, that had any want of
firmness on the part of the leader, or any indecision or vacillation
appeared, and a mischance occurred, this splendid command would then and
there have been lost.
"But with unflinching and steady purpose, bold bearing, and a mind equal
to the emergency, the general rode to the head of the column, reassured
his frightened people, and, notwithstanding the intense darkness that
hid friend from foe, made such skilful dispositions, and then attacked
the hidden foe with such impetuosity that he fled in wild dismay,
leaving his guns, a battle-flag, and four hundred prisoners in the
victor's hands.
"The pass was gained, and Pennington's and Elder's guns were soon
echoing and reechoing through the mountain defiles. The artillery opened
thus on the flying columns of the routed foe, who, with wagons,
ambulances, caissons, and the _debris_ of a shattered army, were rushing
in chaotic confusion down the narrow mountain road, and scattering
through the fields and woods on the plains below."
All night long Kilpatrick and his successful followers were gathering
the spoils of their evening work. Wagon after wagon was overtaken,
captured, and destroyed, while hundreds of prisoners were easily
captured. This daring exploit placed Kilpatrick in advance of the Rebel
army, giving him a fine opportunity to obstruct their pathway of
retreat, and to destroy whatever could be of any use to them. Had he not
been cumbered with so many prisoners, it is not in the power of any one
to estimate the damage he would have done. In his official report he
says: "On this day I captured eighteen hundred and sixty prisoners,
including many officers of rank, and destroyed the Rebel General Ewell's
immense wagon-train, nine miles long."
It should be stated that these wagons were mostly laden with the ripened
and gathered crops of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and with the plunder of
private and public stores, including dry goods and groceries of every
variety and quality. None who saw it will ever forget the appearance of
that mountain road the day following this night's foray.
Stuart, who was ingloriously defeated at Monterey, retired towards
Emmitsburg with about fifty prisoners that he had captured during and
after the fight. He then moved southward until he struck an unfrequented
road which leads over the mountain _via_ Wolfe's Tavern. By this turn he
avoided immediate contact with our cavalry. But about five o'clock
P. M., as he was about to debouch into the valley, Kilpatrick, who was
watching for him as a cat does a mouse, attacked him with artillery and
fought him till dark. This fight occurred near Smithburg, whence the
prisoners in Kilpatrick's hands were sent to South Mountain, guarded by
the Harris Light.
Darkness having put an end to the contest, Kilpatrick marched through
Cavetown to Boonsboro', where he bivouacked for the night. Stuart, it
was ascertained, marched till about midnight to the small town of
Leitersburgh, where he rested his worn and wearied command. His
condition was really pitiable. A large number of his men were mounted on
shoeless horses, whose leanness showed that they had made many a long
march through and from Virginia. Or, as was the case with a large
proportion of them, they had fat horses, which were stolen from the
fields and stalls of the invaded States, but, being entirely unused to
such hard and cruel treatment as they were now receiving, were well-nigh
unserviceable. Lameness and demoralization were prominent
characteristics among animals and men.
_July 6._--This morning, at an early hour, Kilpatrick's crowd of
prisoners were turned over into the hands of General French, and then
his command marched to Hagerstown, taking possession of the place in
advance of Stuart, whose approach about eleven o'clock was met with
determined resistance, and, at first, with great success. A heavy battle
was fought, in which Kilpatrick's men showed their usual prowess and
strength. Had not Rebel infantry come to the aid of his cavalry, Stuart
would have suffered a stunning blow. For several hours the contest was
wholly between cavalry and light artillery. Charges of great daring and
skill were made. One reporter says: "Elder gave them grape and canister,
and the Fifth New York sabres, while the First Vermont used their
carbines."
In one of those charges, made in the face of a very superior force,
Captain James A. Penfield, of the Fifth New York, at the head of his
company, had his horse killed under him, and, while struggling to
extricate himself from the animal, which lay upon him in part, he was
struck a fearful blow of a sabre on the head, which came near severing
it in twain. Thus wounded, with blood streaming down upon his long beard
and clothes, he was made a prisoner. In a similar charge the gallant
Captain Ulric Dahlgren lost a leg, though not his valuable life.
It appeared as though the Rebels were afforded an opportunity to avenge
themselves in part for the shameful losses which they had sustained in
this very place by the strategic operations of a Union scout, by the
name of C. A. Phelps, during the incipient step of the invasion. We will
let the scout relate his own story, which is corroborated by a
signal-officer, who, from one of the lofty peaks of the mountains,
witnessed the exciting denouement. The scout proceeds to say:
"I was very anxious to learn all about General Stuart's force and
contemplated movements, and resolved to see the general himself or some
of his staff-officers, soon after he entered Hagerstown.
"Accordingly I procured of a Union man a suit of raglings, knocked off
one boot-heel to make one leg appear shorter than the other, and put a
gimblet, a tow-string, and an old broken jack-knife in my pockets. My
jewelry corresponded with my clothes. I adopted the name of George Fry,
a harvest-hand of Dr. Farney, from Wolfetown, on the north side of the
mountain, and I was a cripple from rheumatism. Having completed
arrangements with Dr. Farney, Mr. Landers, and other Union men, that
they might be of service to me in case the Rebels should be suspicious
of my character, I hobbled away on my perilous journey, and entered the
city by leaping the high stone wall which guards it on the north side
near the depot. This occurred just as the town-clock struck one.
"It was a clear, starlight night, and the glistening sabres of the
sentries could be seen as they walked their lonely beat. Scarcely had I
gained the sidewalk leading to the centre of the town when the sentry
nearest me cried, 'Halt! who goes there?' 'A friend,' I replied.
"'A friend to North or South?'
"'To the South, of course, and all right.'
"'Advance, then,' was the response. On reaching him, he asked me what
could be my business at this hour of the night. I told him I had come in
to see our brave boys, who could whip the Yankees so handsomely, as they
had done especially at Bull Run and Chancellorsville. We fell at once to
the discussion of the war-questions of the day. In the midst of our
colloquy up came the officer of the guard on his 'grand rounds,' who,
after probing me thoroughly, as he thought, with many questions, finally
said, 'Had you not better go with me to see General Stuart?'
"'I should reelly like ter git a sight of the gin'ral,' I quickly
replied, 'for I never seen a reel gin'ral in all my life.'
"I was soon in the presence of the general, who received me very
cordially. I found him to be a man a little above the medium height, and
fine looking. His features are very distinct in outline, his nose long
and sharp, his eye keen and restless. His complexion is florid and his
manners affable. I told him who I was and where I lived when at home.
'Wolfetown!' exclaimed the general, 'have not the Yankees a large
wagon-train there?' I told him they had; and then, turning to one of his
staff-officers, he said, 'I must have it; it would be a fine prize.'
"I noted his words and determined, if I possessed any Yankee wit, to
make use of it on this occasion.
"'Gin'ral,' said I, '_you all_ don't think of capterin' them are Yankee
wagons, do you?'
"'Why not? I have here five thousand cavalry and sixteen pieces of
artillery, and I understand the train is lightly guarded.'
"I saw that he had been properly informed, and I told him they came
there last evening with twelve big brass cannon and three regiments of
foot-soldiers, and if he was to try to go through the gap of the
mountain they would shoot all the cannon off right in the gap, and kill
all his horses and men. The general smiled at my naive answer, and said
I had a strange idea of war if I thought so many men would be killed at
once, and added that I would not be a very brave soldier. I replied that
many times I had felt like going into the Confederate army, but my
rheumatism kept me out.
"After a while the general concluded not to try the train, and I was
heartily glad, for he would have taken at least two hundred wagons
easily, as they were guarded by not more than three hundred men.
"He then gave orders to have the main body of his cavalry move towards
Green Castle; and I distinctly heard him give orders to the Major to
remain in town with fifty men as rearguard, and to send on the army
mail, which was expected there about six the next evening. I made up my
mind that it would be a small mail he would get, as I proposed to myself
to be postmaster for once.
"After seeing the general and his cavalry move out of town, I went
directly for my horse, which I had concealed in a safe place some
distance from the city, meanwhile surveying the ground to see which way
I could best come in to capture the mail, and determined to charge the
place on the pike from Boonsboro', and made my arrangements to that
effect. I got a Union man, by the name of Thornburgh, to go into the
town and notify the Union people that, when the town-clock struck six
P. M., I would charge in and capture the Rebel mail, at the risk of
losing my own life and every man with me. I had now but eight men, two
having been sent to General Stahel with despatches.
"I then returned to Boonsboro', and found my men waiting for me. I told
them my intentions, and offered to send back to his regiment any man who
feared to go with me. But every one bravely said he would not leave me,
nor surrender without my order. I then ordered them to bring out their
horses, and we were soon on the road. It was a moment of thrilling
interest to us all, as we approached Hagerstown, and lingered to hear
the signal-strokes of that monitor in the old church-tower. At the
appointed time (we had already entered into the edge of the town), with
a wild shout we dashed into the streets, and the Major and his fifty
braves fled without firing a shot. We captured sixteen prisoners,
twenty-six horses, several small-arms, and a heavy army mail, which
contained three important despatches from Jeff. Davis, and two from the
Rebel Secretary of War to General Lee. All this substantial booty we
safely carried within our own lines, without the loss of a man or a
horse.
"Many thanks are due to Dr. C. R. Doran and Mr. Robert Thornburgh, for
their kind and timely assistance, and also to Misses Susie Carson and
Addie Brenner, who did so much for the comfort of our brave men. I still
have in my possession some choice flowers, preserved from a bouquet
presented to me by Miss Carson the evening we captured the Rebel mail;
and though the flowers have faded, the good deeds done by the giver
will ever grow bright through coming time. All honor to the brave Union
ladies."
In these same streets, where Captain Briggs with his telescope witnessed
the successful charge of the scouting party, raged the battle hotly on
the sixth of July. But, as the Rebel infantry was advancing with heavy
artillery to the aid of Stuart's cavalry, Kilpatrick was sorely pressed,
and, at length, compelled to retire. His ears were now saluted with the
sound of artillery in the direction of Williamsport, and a messenger
arrived with the intelligence that General John Buford, who had advanced
through the South Mountain Pass, was now attempting to destroy Lee's
immense supply train, which was packed near Williamsport, and not very
heavily guarded.
Kilpatrick desired no better work than to assist his brave comrade, and
he at once hastened down the main road, and soon joined Buford in the
work of destruction. These combined commands were making fearful havoc
in the Rebel commissary and quartermaster stores. Many wagons were
burned, and the whole train would have shared the same fate had not the
united infantry and cavalry of the enemy come down upon us in
overwhelming force. But we were not to be driven away very suddenly nor
cheaply. Long and desperately we contended with the accumulating forces,
until darkness came on, when we found ourselves completely enveloped by
the foe. Nothing but splendid generalship and true bravery on the part
of our officers and men saved us from capture and destruction. Some of
our number were made prisoners, but our losses were very small
considering the amount of depredations we had committed, and the great
danger to which we were exposed. As it was, the commands were
successfully withdrawn from their hazardous position, and through the
darkness of the night we crossed Antietam Creek, and bivouacked in
safety on the opposite bank. Several prisoners were captured from the
Rebels during the fights of the day. They were mostly from Alabama and
Louisiana regiments; and they state that their army is all together, and
well on its way to the river. They speak doubtfully of Lee's recrossing
the Potomac.
[Illustration: THE CAVALRY BIVOUAC.]
_July 7._--Our cavalry is in the vicinity of Boonsboro', and is acting
mostly on the defensive. The enemy in force is in our front, and an
attack is momentarily expected. At six P. M. "to horse" was sounded
throughout our camps; and, after waiting two hours in rain, ready for
a move, orders were received to return to our quarters. Rain is now
falling in torrents, accompanied with fearful thunderings and lightnings.
Unpleasant as it is, we welcome its peltings, hoping that the storm will
raise the Potomac above the fording mark, and thus give Meade an
opportunity to attack Lee before he has time to recross the river into
Virginia. We know that his pontoons at Falling Waters have been totally
destroyed by our cavalry and by the high water, and that the only ford
available is at Williamsport, and hence we welcome the falling floods.
Many of us have to lie down in water, which, however, is not very cold.
But the night is very tedious.
_July 8._--The sun came out bright and warm this morning, enabling us in
a few moments to dry our drenched blankets and garments. The roads,
however, abound in mud, and the streams are enormously swollen. Early in
the day our pickets were driven in along the Antietam, and the enemy
advanced with such force that by noon the plains around Boonsboro' were
the scene of a furious cavalry engagement.
CAVALRY BATTLE AT BOONSBORO'.
Dr. Moore, from whose excellent reports we have before quoted, gives the
following graphic description of this cavalry duel: "Buford had the
right and Kilpatrick the left. The movements of the cavalry lines in
this battle were among the finest sights the author remembers ever to
have seen. It was here he first saw the young general (Kilpatrick), and
little thought that one day the deeds he saw him perform he would
transmit to paper and to posterity. Here, all day long, the Rebel and
the Union cavalry-chiefs fought, mounted and dismounted, and striving in
every manner possible to defeat and rout the other. The din and roar of
battle that, from ten A. M. until long after dark, had rolled over the
plains and back through the mountains, told to the most anxious generals
of them all, Meade and Lee, how desperate was the struggle--Stuart and
his men fighting for the safety of the Rebel army, Buford and Kilpatrick
for South Mountain's narrow Pass.
"Just as the setting sun sent his last rays over that muddy
battle-field, Buford and Kilpatrick were seen rapidly approaching each
other from opposite directions. They met; a few hasty words were
exchanged, and away dashed Buford far off to the right, and Kilpatrick
straight to the centre; and in less than twenty minutes, from right to
centre, and from centre to left, the clear notes of the bugles rang out
the welcome charging, and with one long, wild shout, those glorious
squadrons of Buford and Kilpatrick, from right to left, as far as the
eye could see, in one unbroken line, charged upon the foe. The shock was
irresistible; the Rebel line was broken--the routed enemy confessed the
superiority of our men as they fled from the well-fought field, leaving
their dead and dying behind them; and our heroic chiefs led back their
victorious squadrons, and, while resting on their laurels, gave their
brave, wearied troops a momentary repose."
Thus far our cavalry had done much to obstruct the retreat of the Rebel
army, and had inflicted incalculable losses of men and materials. But
the pursuit of our main army was not correspondingly vigorous. Two
pretty good reasons may be assigned for this seeming incompetency or
want of energy. The first reason is found in the fact that scarcely more
than a brigade of infantry had been kept in reserve during the great and
destructive battle of Gettysburg, while the three days of struggle had
well-nigh exhausted our entire strength. Rest was therefore greatly
needed, and a general engagement was to be guarded against. It should
also be remembered that nearly one fourth of our entire army was _hors
de combat_. The second reason may be found in the heavy rains which
fell, "impeding pursuers," as one writer says, "more than pursued,
though they need not." But the retreating army has this advantage; it
usually chooses its own route, which it can generally cover or hide by
means of stratagem, so that it requires time as well as study to
effectually pursue. Perhaps a third reason for our tardiness of pursuit
should be presented. Does it not appear to be an overruling act of
Providence? Had General Meade advanced, as it seems he might have done
with the resources at his command, against the demoralized, decimated,
and flying army, with its ammunition quite exhausted, and a swollen
river, unfordable and bridgeless, between it and safety, Lee could not
have escaped annihilation. But the public sentiment of the country,
though forming and improving rapidly, was not yet prepared for such a
victory. We needed to spend more treasure, spill more blood, sacrifice
more precious lives, to lift us up to those heights of public and
political virtue, where we could be safely entrusted with so dear a
boon. We were not then prepared for peace, that sovereign balm for a
nation's woes.
The tardiness with which our movements were made enabled the enemy to
reach a good position near Hagerstown, which he began to fortify in such
a manner as to cover his crossing. Meantime we understood that
successful efforts were made to rebuild the bridge at Falling Waters.
General Meade, in his official report, gives the following account of
his pursuit: "The fifth and sixth of July were employed in succoring the
wounded and burying the dead. Major-General Sedgwick, commanding the
Sixth Corps, having pushed the pursuit of the enemy as far as the
Fairfield Pass and the mountains, and reporting that the pass was very
strong--one in which a small force of the enemy could hold in check and
delay for a considerable time any pursuing force--I determined to follow
the enemy by a flank movement, and, accordingly, leaving McIntosh's
brigade of cavalry and Neil's brigade of infantry to continue harassing
the enemy, I put the army in motion for Middletown, and orders were
immediately sent to Major-General French, at Frederick, to reoccupy
Harper's Ferry, and send a force to occupy Turner's Pass, in South
Mountains. I subsequently ascertained that Major-General French had not
only anticipated these orders in part, but had pushed a cavalry force to
Williamsport and Falling Waters, where they destroyed the enemy's
pontoon bridge, and captured its guard. Buford was at the same time sent
to Williamsport and Hagerstown. The duty above assigned to the cavalry
was most successfully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed,
his trains destroyed, and many captures of guns and prisoners made."
_July 10._--This morning, at five o'clock, the cavalry advanced from
Boonsboro', passed through Keedysville, and crossed the Antietam about
ten o'clock. At twelve o'clock we engaged the enemy at Jones' Cross
Roads. The Harris Light led the advance, dismounted. The Rebels were
driven three consecutive times from as many positions which they had
chosen. Their resistance was by no means strong nor determined. Before
night Buford moved his command to Sharpsburg, on the extreme left of our
lines, and Kilpatrick advanced to a position on the extreme right, in
the vicinity of Hagerstown, where he covered the road to Gettysburg. On
the eleventh only picket skirmishes occupied the time. But on the
twelfth Kilpatrick, supported by a brigade of infantry under the command
of Brigadier-General Ames, of Howard's Corps, advanced upon the enemy
near Hagerstown, drove them from their works, and then out of the
streets of the city, and took permanent possession. This successful
movement greatly contracted our lines, and brought our forces into a
better position. At the close of this enterprise, as we are informed,
General Meade called a council of war, at which was discussed earnestly
and long the propriety of attacking the enemy. Notwithstanding the
anxiety of the chief commander to advance and reap fully the fruit of
Gettysburg, five of his corps commanders, out of eight, argued against
the measure, and as Meade did not desire to assume the grave
responsibility of a movement against such protests, no move was
immediately attempted.
This statement may modify the condemnatory judgments which were formed
against General Meade, and may prepare our minds rightly to interpret
General A. P. Howe's report of the general pursuit. In narrating its
spirit and progress, he says: "On the fourth of July it seemed evident
enough that the enemy were retreating. How far they were gone we could
not see from the front. We could see but a comparatively small force
from the position where I was. On Sunday the Fifth and Sixth Corps moved
in pursuit. As we moved, a small rearguard of the enemy retreated. We
followed them, with this small rearguard of the enemy before us, up to
Fairfield, in a gorge of the mountains. There we again waited for them
to go on. There seemed to be no disposition to push this rearguard when
we got up to Fairfield. A lieutenant from the enemy came into our lines
and gave himself up. He was a Northern Union man, in service in one of
the Georgia regiments; and, without being asked, he unhesitatingly told
me, when I met him as he was being brought in, that he belonged to the
artillery of the rearguard of the enemy, and that they had but two
rounds of ammunition with the rearguard. But we waited there without
receiving any orders to attack. It was a place where, as I informed
General Sedgwick, we could easily attack the enemy with advantage. But
no movement was made by us until the enemy went away. Then one brigade
of my division, with some cavalry, was sent to follow after them, while
the remainder of the Sixth Corps moved to the left. We moved on through
Boonsboro', and passed up on the pike-road leading to Hagerstown.
"After passing Boonsboro' it became my turn to lead the Sixth Corps.
That day, just before we started, General Sedgwick ordered me to move on
and take up the best position I could over a little stream on the
Frederick side of Funkstown. As I moved on, it was suggested to me by
him to move carefully. 'Don't come into contact with the enemy; we don't
want to bring on a general engagement.' It seemed to be the current
impression that it was not desired to bring on a general engagement. I
moved on until we came near Funkstown. General Buford was along that
way with his cavalry. I had passed over the stream referred to, and
found a strong position, which I concluded to take, and wait for the
Sixth Corps to come up. In the meantime General Buford, who was in
front, came back to me, and said, 'I am pretty hardly engaged here; I
have used a great deal of my ammunition; it is a strong place in front;
it is an excellent position.' It was a little farther out than I
was--near Funkstown. He said, 'I have used a great deal of my
ammunition, and I ought to go to the right; suppose you move up there,
or send up a brigade, or even a part of one, and hold that position.'
Said I, 'I will do so at once, if I can just communicate with General
Sedgwick; I am ordered to take up a position over here, and hold it, and
the intimation conveyed to me was, that they did not want to get into a
general engagement; I will send for General Sedgwick, and ask permission
to hold that position, and relieve you.' I accordingly sent a
staff-officer to General Sedgwick with a request that I might go up at
once and assist General Buford, stating that he had a strong position,
but his ammunition was giving out. General Buford remained with me until
I should get an answer. The answer was, 'No; we do not want to bring on
a general engagement.' 'Well,' said I, 'Buford, what can I do?' He said,
'They expect me to go farther to the right; my ammunition is pretty much
out. That position is a strong one, and we ought not to let it go.' I
sent down again to General Sedgwick, stating the condition of General
Buford, and that he would have to leave unless he could get some
assistance; that his position was not far in front, and that it seemed
to me that we should hold it, and I should like to send some force up to
picket it at least. After a time I got a reply that, if General Buford
left, I might occupy the position. General Buford was still with me, and
I said to him, 'If you go away from there I will have to hold it.'
'That's all right,' said he, 'I will go away.' He did so, and I moved
right up. It was a pretty good position when you cover your troops. Soon
after relieving Buford, we saw some Rebel infantry advancing. I do not
know whether they brought them from Hagerstown, or from some other
place. They made three dashes, not in heavy force, upon our line to
drive us back. The troops that happened to be there on our line were
what we considered, in the Army of the Potomac, unusually good ones.
They quietly repulsed the Rebels twice, and the third time they came up
they sent them flying into Funkstown.
"Yet there was no permission to move on and follow up the enemy. We
remained there some time, until we had orders to move on and take a
position a mile or more nearer Hagerstown. As we moved up we saw that
the Rebels had some light field-works--hurriedly thrown up,
apparently--to cover themselves while they recrossed the river. I think
we remained there three days; and the third night, I think, after we got
up into that position, it was said the Rebels recrossed the river."
_Sunday, July 12._--I had the misfortune to be kicked off my pins last
night, just before we were relieved at the front. Approaching my sorrel
pony from the rear, in a careless manner, for he could not see me until
I got within short range, when he raised his heels very suddenly, and,
without ceremony, planted them in my breast, laying me, not in the most
gentle manner, flat upon the ground. Medical aid is considered necessary
to-day, as I am suffering not a little. But, as the conflict was purely
caused by my own folly, I endure my pains with becoming patience.
To-day I found the following despatches in some Northern paper, and I
record them to show what contradictory reports will often find their way
into the public press concerning men and measures:
"_Mountain-House, near Boonsboro', July 9._--There has been no fighting
this morning. The fight of yesterday, near Boonsboro', was between
Generals Buford and Kilpatrick's cavalry and Rebel infantry, principally
on the bushwhacking style. Our troops fell back early in the day, but
subsequently reoccupied the ground. Artillery was used on both sides.
"There is no truth in the reported death of General Kilpatrick."
(SECOND DESPATCH.)
"_Boonsboro', July 9_, 8 P. M.--There have been no active operations on
our front to-day. After the cavalry fight of yesterday the enemy drew in
their forces towards Hagerstown, and formed a line on elevated ground from
Funkstown on the right to the bend of the river below Williamsport on the
left, thus uncovering the Shepherdstown crossing. Scouts and reconnoitring
parties report that Lee is entrenching his front and drawing from his
train on the Virginia side, and making general preparations for another
battle. It is contradicted, to-night, that we have a force on General
Lee's line of retreat in Virginia."
_July 13._--All has been quiet along our lines to-day. The army, being
pretty well rested by this time, is waiting impatiently for the command
to advance. Our position is also a good one, though not better than that
of the enemy. We have every reason to believe that the Rebel army is
still on the north bank of the Potomac. The recent rains have raised the
river above the fording mark. However, Lee will undoubtedly fall back
into Virginia if he finds a good opportunity. During the latter part of
the day General Meade finally decided to assault the position of the
invaders. Very much to the delight of the rank and file of the army,
orders were promulgated to the effect that a strong and simultaneous
advance must be made early on the morning of the fourteenth.
Preparations were immediately begun.
FALLING WATERS.
Kilpatrick and his cavalry were sent out on picket, and advanced as near
the enemy's lines as it was prudent. Not many hours of the night had
passed away when Kilpatrick discovered certain movements which indicated
that the enemy was leaving his front. Prepared as he was to attack them
by the morning light, he was ready to follow up any movement which they
might make. Hence, at three o'clock in the morning of the fourteenth,
his advance-guard moved forward upon the retiring enemy. While
information of this unexpected movement of the enemy was despatched to
General Meade, Kilpatrick advanced towards Williamsport with his usual
rapidity and power, driving and capturing every thing before him.
Informed by citizens that the rearguard of the retreating army had but a
few moments before started from the river, he followed closely in their
tracks, and struck them at Falling Waters, where, after a brilliant and
sharp conflict, he bagged a large number of prisoners. Many a poor
fellow never reached the long-looked-for Virginia shore.
General Meade then sent the following despatch to Washington:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 14, 3 P. M.
_H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief_:
My cavalry now occupy Falling Waters, having overtaken and
captured a brigade of infantry, fifteen hundred strong, two
guns, two caissons, two battle-flags, and a large number of
small-arms. The enemy are all across the Potomac.
GEORGE G. MEADE, _Major-General_.
Later in the day he sent the following:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
July 14, 3.30 P. M.
_Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief_:
My cavalry have captured five hundred prisoners, in addition
to those previously reported. General Pettigrew, of the
Confederate army, was killed this morning in the attack on
the enemy's rearguard. His body is in our hands.
G. G. MEADE, _Major-General_.
These despatches were afterward denied by General Lee in a letter to his
authorities, as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
July ----, 1863.
_General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General C. S. A._:
GENERAL: I have seen in the Northern papers what purports to
be an official despatch from General Meade, stating that he
had captured a brigade of infantry, two pieces of artillery,
two caissons, and a large number of small-arms, as this army
retired to the south bank of the Potomac on the thirteenth
and fourteenth instant. This despatch has been copied into
the Richmond papers; and, as its official character may cause
it to be believed, I desire to state that it is incorrect.
The enemy did not capture any organized body of men on that
occasion, but only stragglers, and such as were left asleep
on the road, exhausted by the fatigue and exposure of one of
the most inclement nights I have ever known at this season
of the year. It rained without cessation, rendering the road
by which, our troops marched toward the bridge at Falling
Waters very difficult to pass, and causing so much delay
that the last of the troops did not cross the river at the
until one A. M. on the morning of the fourteenth.
While the column was thus detained on the road a number of
men, worn down with fatigue, laid down in barns and by the
roadside, and though officers were sent back to arouse them
as the troops moved on, the darkness and rain prevented them
from finding all, and many were in this way left behind. Two
guns were left on the road; the horses that drew them became
exhausted, and the officers went back to procure others.
When they returned, the rear of the column had passed the
guns so far that it was deemed unsafe to send back for them,
and they were thus lost. No arms, cannon, or prisoners were
taken by the enemy in battle, but only such as were left
behind, as I have described, under the circumstances. The
number of stragglers thus lost I am unable to state with
accuracy, but it is greatly exaggerated in the despatch
referred to.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE, _General_.
This was evidently an attempt, on the part of the Rebel leader, to
disparage our victories and to wipe out of his record, with a sort of
legerdemain, the disgraceful and disastrous denouement of his invasion.
In the following important statement General Meade confirms his position
by incontestable facts, and shows how the matter stood:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Aug. ----, 1863.
_Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief_:
My attention has been called to what purports to be an
official despatch of General R. E. Lee, commanding the Rebel
army, to General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-General,
denying the accuracy of my telegram to you, of July
fourteenth, announcing the result of the cavalry affair at
Falling Waters.
I have delayed taking any notice of Lee's report until the
return of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, absent on leave, who
commanded the cavalry on the occasion referred to, and on
whose report from the field my telegram was based. I now
enclose the official report of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick,
made after his attention had been called to Lee's report.
You will see that he reiterates and confirms all that my
despatch averred, and proves most conclusively that General
Lee has been deceived by his subordinates, or he would
never, in the face of the facts now alleged, have made the
assertion his report claims.
It appears that I was in error in stating that the body of
General Pettigrew was left in our hands, although I did not
communicate that fact until an officer from the field
reported to me he had seen the body. It is now ascertained,
from the Richmond papers, that General Pettigrew, though
mortally wounded in the affair, was taken to Winchester,
where he subsequently died. The three battle-flags captured
on this occasion, and sent to Washington, belonged to the
Fortieth, Forty-seventh, and Fifty-fifth Virginia regiments
of infantry.
General Lee will surely acknowledge these were not left in
the hands of stragglers asleep in barns.
GEORGE G. MEADE, _Major-General Commanding_.
Kilpatrick, in his letter of explanation, referred to in the above
despatch, gives the following graphic account of this last scene in the
great drama of the invasion:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION CAVALRY CORPS,
Warrenton Junction, Va., Aug. ----.
_To Colonel A. J. Alexander, Chief of Staff of Cavalry Corps_:
COLONEL: In compliance with a letter just received from the
headquarters of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac,
directing me to give the facts connected with the fight at
Falling Waters, I have the honor to state that, at three
A. M. of the fourteenth ultimo, I learned that the enemy's
pickets were retiring in my front. Having been previously
ordered to attack at seven A. M., I was ready to move at
once.
At daylight I had reached the crest of hills occupied by the
enemy an hour before, and, a few minutes before six, General
Custer drove the rearguard of the enemy into the river at
Williamsport. Learning from citizens that a portion of the
enemy had retreated in the direction of Falling Waters, I at
once moved rapidly for that point, and came up with this
rearguard of the enemy at seven-thirty A. M., at a point two
miles distant from Falling Waters. We pressed on, driving
them before us, capturing many prisoners and one gun. When
within a mile and a half of Falling Waters, the enemy was
found in large force, drawn up in line of battle on the crest
of a hill, commanding the road on which I was advancing. His
left was protected by earthworks, and his right extended to
the woods on our left.
The enemy was, when first seen, in two lines of battle, with
arms stacked within less than one thousand yards of the
large force. A second piece of artillery, with its support,
consisting of infantry, was captured while attempting to get
into position. The gun was taken to the rear. A portion of
the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, seeing only that portion of the
enemy behind the earthworks, charged. This charge was led by
Major Webber, and was the most gallant ever made. At a trot
he passed up the hill, received the fire from the whole
line, and the next moment rode through and over the
earthworks, and passed to the right, sabring the Rebels
along the entire line, and returned with a loss of thirty
killed, wounded, and missing, including the gallant Major
Webber, killed.
I directed General Custer to send forward one regiment as
skirmishers. They were repulsed before support could be sent
them, and driven back, closely followed by the Rebels, until
checked by the First Michigan and a squadron of the Eighth
New York. The Second brigade having come up, it was quickly
thrown into position, and, after a fight of two hours and
thirty minutes, routed the enemy at all points and drove him
toward the river.
When within a short distance of the bridge, General Buford's
command came up and took the advance. We lost twenty-nine
killed, thirty-six wounded, and forty missing. We found upon
the field one hundred and twenty-five dead Rebels, and
brought away upward of fifty wounded. A large number of the
enemy's wounded were left upon the field in charge of their
own surgeons. We captured two guns, three battle-flags, and
upward of fifteen hundred prisoners.
To General Custer and his brigade, Lieutenant Pennington and
his battery, and one squadron of the Eighth New York
Cavalry, of General Buford's command, all praise is due.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. KILPATRICK, _Brigadier-General_.
In his official report of operations from the twenty-eighth of June,
when he assumed command of the Third division, Kilpatrick says: "In this
campaign my command has captured forty-five hundred prisoners, nine
guns, and eleven battle-flags." Never before, in the history of warfare,
has it been permitted to any man commanding a division to include, in a
report of about forty-five days' operations, such magnificent results.
As the last foot of the invaders disappeared from the soil where they
had never been successful, our gallant boys built their bivouac fires
and rested themselves and their weary animals near the scene of their
recent victory.
The telegraph lines, which had so often been burdened with news of
disaster, now sang with joyful intelligence from all departments of our
vast armies. Gettysburg was soon followed by Vicksburg, then Port
Hudson, the names being emblazoned upon many a glowing transparency, to
the honor of the heroes who had planned, and the braves who had fought,
so successfully and well. The news was welcomed with salutes of
artillery and bonfires in most of the Northern cities and villages,
while the whole mass of our people was jubilant and rejoicing.
On the fifteenth the President issued a proclamation of Thanksgiving, in
which he recognized the hand of God in our victories, and called upon
the people to "render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the
wonderful things He has done in the nation's behalf, and to invoke the
influence of His Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced, and
so long sustained, a needless and cruel rebellion." In the midst of
these rejoicings we end our chapter.