the result might have been, and, so far as we can judge now, probably would have been, different.

On the 12th of September, the enemy, under McLaws, was in considerable force in Pleasant Valley on the eastern slope of Maryland Heights, and advancing up the Heights, skirmishing heavily with Colonel Ford's command.

General McClellan's army was then encamped near the line of the Monocacy.

On the 13th, about 10 o'clock A.M., Walker arrived at the foot of Loudoun Heights and began the ascent, meeting no opposition, as there was no Federal force there.

Jackson was now in position at Bolivar Heights, and McLaws was pressing our forces closely for the possession of Maryland Heights.

During these two days (the 12th and 13th) the cavalry was actively engaged in making reconnoissances and checking the advance of the enemy at various points; and Captain (afterward Major) Russell, of the First Maryland Cavalry-who became famous through all that region as "The Fighting Parson"-and his command, performed distinguished services. He ascended Maryland Heights with his squadron at daylight on the morning of the 13th, reported to Colonel Ford, dismounted his men, and, climbing the mountain, formed a strong skirmish line and fought resolutely, holding the enemy in check, until compelled to fall back when the Heights were abandoned.

The Seventh Squadron Rhode Island Cavalry was also on the Heights on the 12th and 13th, and took an active. part in the defence.

On the evening of the 13th, Colonel Miles was extremely anxious to open communication with General McClellan, then believed to be near Frederick, and Captain Russell volunteered to make the attempt. He selected nine men from his command, and with these went through our line of pickets on the Virginia side of

the Potomac, marched up the river on that side, passing the enemy's pickets, and moved down toward the river, through the fields, until he came near Shepherdstown. He crossed the Potomac near the mouth of Antietam Creek, met and dashed past the enemy's pickets, and passed on, through by-roads, to South Mountain. There he met a picket of seventy-one of the enemy's infantry. He "got round them," as he forcibly expressed it, by taking a road through the woods, and went directly over South Mountain at Middletown. He there found General Reno, to whom he reported, and who gave him a fresh horse and directed him to report to General McClellan.

He reached the latter, in camp, near Frederick, about 9 A. M. on the 14th, and reported to him the situation at Harper's Ferry.

On the previous day (the 13th) General McClellan had come into possession of General Lee's order of the 9th (the famous Lost Despatch), giving full details of the movement on Harper's Ferry, and completely exposing Lee's plans and the positions of his forces for several days ensuing. How and to what extent General McClellan took advantage of this marvellous piece of good fortune has been already much discussed; and it is beyond the scope of this paper to criticise McClellan's action or inaction. Such an opportunity comes but once, we will not say in a life-time, — it is without a parallel in history.

McClellan's despatch to General Halleck, on the 14th, said if Miles could hold out that day he could probably save him. Miles did hold out, but on the night of the 14th McClellan was as far from saving him as ever. He was, in fact, moving in another direction.

Maryland Heights were abandoned to the enemy at 3.30 P. M., September 13, and General McLaws immediately proceeded to get his batteries in position.

On the morning of the 14th Walker's command was on the summit of Loudoun Heights, and could be plainly seen signalling to Jackson on Bolivar Heights.

At 2 P. M., everything being in readiness for the attack, the batteries on Loudoun Heights opened fire, directing their attention chiefly to the cavalry camps on Bolivar Heights, these being the most conspicuous objects. Firing was at the same time begun from two pieces on Maryland Heights, and from batteries on the Shepherdstown road and the Charlestown turnpike.

The men of the Twelfth Illinois had been in the saddle since daylight, and were now resting. Horses were unsaddled, and officers and men were sitting about watching the enemy and discussing the situation, when suddenly a puff of smoke appeared on Loudoun Heights, and the next instant a shell came screaming into camp. It was followed by others in quick succession, and they soon came thick and fast. There was no time to ask for orders, and calling to the men to " Saddle up," the writer turned his attention to his own horse.

Being weak from recent illness, it was with great difficulty that he could saddle. When this was at last accomplished, and the writer had mounted, he was just in time to catch a dissolving view of the last of his troopers disappearing over the hill in the direction of Charlestown. The writer followed at speed, and soon overtook and formed his command.

There were but few casualties from the shelling on that day, for, although the aim of the enemy was very accurate, comparatively few of the shells exploded. This is accounted for by their being, many of them at least, percussion shells, which struck in soft sand. But the "noise and confusion" were great, and the constant screeching and occasional bursting of shells in close proximity made the cavalry very unhappy. As the men said, "It made them hunt their holes," and the difficulty was the holes were not "practicable for cavalry." There was no shelter worth mentioning, and after being shelled out of one position they would not be in another five minutes before the enemy would have their range and the shells begin to come again.

Had the cavalry then been capable of the "stand-upfighting" on foot, which it afterward did on many a hardfought field, it might have been of great service in the defence of the place. But most of the organizations had seen comparatively little hard service and had yet to win their spurs.

The situation was extremely depressing. Surrounded on all sides by the enemy, with no hope of succor or opportunity to make an adequate defence, and with the prospect of early capture or surrender, the minds of officers and men naturally turned toward escape. They had not been there long enough to become attached to the place, and the surroundings were far from pleasant. Colonel Davis, of the Eighth New York Cavalry,1 and Lieutenant-Colonel Hasbrouck Davis, of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry,2 consulted as to the best means to be taken; and it is to these two bold spirits that the credit of the subsequent expedition is mainly due.

They called upon General White and laid their plan before him, asking his co-operation and his influence in obtaining the consent of Colonel Miles. General White cordially approved the plan, and arranged to meet the two officers at Colonel Miles's headquarters.

Colonel Miles was at first opposed to the movement, deeming it impracticable and involving too much risk; but after consulting with General White and other officers he finally promised his consent, if a practicable route could be found. Colonel B. F. Davis suggested going up the west side of the Potomac as far as Kearneysville, and then crossing the river at Shepherdstown; but Colonel Miles said there was extreme danger in going that way. It was then proposed to cross the Shenandoah near the point of confluence with the Potomac, and march down

1 Afterward Brigadier-General. Killed at Beverly Ford, Va., June 9, 1863.

2 Afterward Brigadier-General. Lost in the "Cambria," off the Irish coast, November, 1868.

the Potomac to Washington; but upon exploring the ford it was found to be full of holes and dangerous to cross. Hence it was finally decided to cross the Potomac on the pontoon bridge to Maryland Heights, and endeavor to reach McClellan's army in that direction.

In accordance with this determination the following order was issued:

HEADQUARTERS, HARPER'S FERRY, Sept. 14, 1862.

Special Order No. 120.

The cavalry force at this post, except detached orderlies, will make immediate preparations to leave here at eight o'clock to-night, without baggage-wagons, ambulances, or led horses, crossing the Potomac over the pontoon bridge, and taking the Sharpsburg road. The senior officer, Colonel Voss, will assume command of the whole, which will form the right at the quartermaster's office, the left up Shenandoah Street, without noise or loud command, in the following order: Cole's Cavalry, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Eighth New York Cavalry, Seventh Squadron Rhode Island Cavalry, and First Maryland Cavalry. No other instructions can be given to the Commander than to force his way through the enemy's lines and join our own army. By order of Colonel Miles.

H. C. REYNOLDS, Lieutenant and A. A. G.

General White was invited to join the column, but replied that while he would very gladly do so he considered it his duty to stay with his command.

A copy of Colonel Miles's order was sent, late in the afternoon, to each cavalry commander.

There was but little to do in the way of preparation. As soon as it was dark, and the enemy had ceased firing, supper was eaten, the little remaining forage was divided among the horses, and, in the lightest of "light marching order," the several commands moved silently down to the rendezvous and took their places in the column, which was ready to march at the appointed time.

The tents and baggage and the Twelfth Illinois brass