General McClellan Restored to Command.—Re-organization of
the Army.—Advance of the Enemy into Maryland.—March from
Washington.—Battle of Crampton’s Pass.—Harper’s Ferry
Surrendered.
Soon after the troops fell back, Gen. Pope was relieved, at his own
request, and Gen. McClellan re-instated as Major General commanding. He
immediately commenced the labor of re-organizing the army. The lull which
followed, and absence of the enemy from our immediate front, boded no
good. The news, therefore, which soon reached Washington, that the rebels
had made their appearance near Edward’s Ferry, was not wholly unexpected.
Friday night, Sept. 5th, they crossed the Potomac and occupied Frederick
City with a heavy force, destroying the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for
several miles, and cutting off communication with Harper’s Ferry and
Martinsburg, where considerable bodies of our troops were stationed. Gen.
Lee’s plan, he afterwards stated, in crossing the river, was to threaten
Baltimore, Washington and Harrisburg at the same time, thereby diverting
the attention of our authorities while he encircled and captured the
above forces. Gen. McClellan immediately pushed forward to meet him.
[Illustration: SUGAR-LOAF MOUNTAIN, MARYLAND.]
Saturday evening, Sept. 6th, Franklin’s Corps crossed the Long Bridge,
followed by Sumner’s and Hooker’s (late McDowell’s), and proceeded up
the Maryland side of the river. All night long the solid, heavy tramp of
troops could be heard through the streets of the capital.
The Thirty-third passed up Pennsylvania Avenue about 7 o’clock, and
marching until 2 o’clock Sunday morning, halted at Tanlytown. The march
was resumed at 5 o’clock P. M., and continued for six miles.
Monday, Sept. 8th, marched through Rockville, halting one mile west of
the place. Many of the knapsacks were left here, and afterwards sent
back to Washington. Resuming the march, bivouacked four miles east of
Darnestown.
Tuesday, Sept. 9th, moved at 9 o’clock A. M., and encamped near Seneca
Creek. The weather was very warm and roads dusty, but, relieved of their
knapsacks and other effects, the soldiers suffered comparatively little.
Thursday, Sept. 11th, marched at 9 o’clock, A. M., and halted about noon
between Barnsville and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Friday, Sept. 12th, marched at 9 A. M., encamping near Monocacy Bridge,
which had been destroyed by the enemy, but was now rebuilt. The same
day our advance, under Gen. Burnside, entered Frederick, the people
turning out en masse to welcome them. Just before reaching the city they
encountered a Brigade of rebel cavalry, under Fitzhugh Lee, whipping and
driving them before them in gallant style.
Crossing the bridge upon the following morning, Lieut.-Col. Corning was
ordered forward with the Thirty-third and Twentieth New York, to drive
the enemy out of Jefferson’s Pass, an opening through the range of
mountains extending southeast of and nearly parallel with the Blue Ridge.
Doffing such wearing apparel and equipments as were not necessary, the
men pressed rapidly forward. Their dark blue uniforms and glistening
bayonets soon appeared among the trees and green foliage of the mountain
side, as they moved upward, scaling rocky ledges, and clinging hold
of shrubs and branches, to steady their footing. The enemy, who were
posted along the summit, hastily fled as they drew near, leaving it
in their possession. A magnificent view presented itself from here.
Stretching far away in every direction, were rich fields of grain,
ripening into maturity, thousands of cattle feeding on the green hills,
little villages and farm houses dotting the landscape, the church spires
of Frederick looming up in the distance, and at the base of the Blue
Mountains immense rebel trains, protected from attack by the frowning
guns above. Descending the opposite side of the mountain, the two
Regiments deployed as skirmishers, and moving forward a mile beyond the
beautiful village of Jefferson, picketed for the night. All along the
route they were enthusiastically received by the Marylanders. Fair maids
plucked the richest flowers from their gardens, and clustering them
in rich bouquets, placed them in the hands of the brave New Yorkers.
Grave matrons, with ruddy daughters, like Angels of Mercy, came to
the gates by the road-side with cups of milk and water to refresh the
thirsty soldiers. Such a reception was hardly expected, and was the more
appreciated, after the long and unpleasant experiences among the rebel
men and women of Virginia. The remainder of the Division came up here and
rested for the night.
Heavy firing was heard in the direction of Harper’s Ferry. While passing
through Jefferson much merriment was occasioned by the chasing of a rebel
cavalryman. Seeing him lagging behind, one of our troopers, clapping
spurs to his horse, started in hot pursuit, yelling and screaming at the
top of his voice, as he rode. He continued to gain on the gray-back,
and when within a few yards, discharged his carbine and revolver
simultaneously at him, which so alarmed the fugitive that he wheeled,
and at once gave himself up. A little further on, Col. Irwin, of the
Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, who had now assumed command of the Brigade,
took after five rebel videttes, and riding into their midst with a
revolver in each hand, compelled three of them to surrender.
When our forces advanced to Frederick, the enemy retreated on two
turnpikes diverging from the city, and running through cuts in the Blue
Ridge, six miles apart, and known as the South Mountain, or Turner’s
Pass, near Middletown, and Crampton’s Pass, near Burkettsville. Having
fortified these and the surrounding hill-tops, they waited our approach.
Gen. McClellan, after reviewing the situation for a short time, decided
upon storming these positions. To Gen. Franklin he assigned the duty of
taking Crampton’s Pass, while he superintended operations personally at
Turner’s.
The Sixth Corps moved forward from the vicinity of Jefferson Sunday
morning, and on nearing Burkettsville, was arranged for the attack. The
enemy seeing this, opened a heavy fire from the guns planted on the
heights, but the troops pressed rapidly forward on the double-quick over
the ploughed fields and meadows, until the village was reached, when they
halted in the streets. The Thirty-third lost but one man while running
the gauntlet of the rebel batteries. Though shot and shell were flying
in every direction, the citizens came out of their houses, waved their
handkerchiefs, cheered for the “Union Boys,” and brought them food and
drink. After resting for a few moments, the advance was again sounded,
and Slocum’s Division moved to the right of the turnpike and engaged
the enemy, while Gen. Brooks, supported by the Thirty-third and other
Regiments of the Third Brigade, marched directly up the road. About 3
o’clock Slocum reached the Pass, and drove the enemy from it, after a
hard fought battle. Brooks’ column immediately came on, and dashing
up the woody summit, charged the battery at the left of the Pass and
captured two guns, together with numerous prisoners. Among the number
was Col. Lamar, of the Eighth Georgia, who had previously been taken at
the battle of Golden’s Farm and paroled. It now being dark, the troops
retraced their steps to the Pass, and moving down the west side of the
mountain, bivouacked at the foot in Pleasant Valley. Gens. Hooker and
Reno had, in the meantime, stormed the South Mountain gorge, though in
doing so the latter lost his life.
Monday morning, the Sixth Corps stood to arms at sunrise, and prepared to
march to the relief of Harper’s Ferry. It was soon ascertained, however,
that Col. Miles had surrendered that place, and the men went into camp
again. This intelligence so affected Gen. McClellan as to cause him to
shed tears. Tuesday, the Corps remained in Pleasant Valley.