THE END OF THE POPE CAMPAIGN-" "LITTLE MAC" AGAIN IN COMMAND.

On the morning of the second of September, the President and General Halleck informed General McClellan that our army was in full retreat for Washington, and instructed him to prepare for their reception and to go out and meet the returning troops, take command of them and place them in the best position. An order was then issued by the War Department, announcing that "by direction of the President, Major-General McClellan will have command of the fortifications at Washington and of all the troops for the defence of the capital.

This order actually placed him again in command of the Army of the Potomac. No time was lost by the gallant chieftain in acceding to the instructions, and in a few hours he had not only informed General Pope what disposition he wished made of troops as they arrived within our lines of defence, but had himself crossed the river and advanced to meet the retreating soldiers, and by his cheering voice encouraged them, and at the same time assured them that they were approaching`a haven of safety of which he was the master pilot. The enemy soon became aware that they had their old foe to confront them, and two days later they relinquished the pursuit and moved towards the Upper Potomac, with the evident intention of crossing the stream and carrying out their long-cherished plan of invading the North, and devastating the fertile and highly cultivated valleys of Maryland and Pennsylvania. General McClellan immediately ordered his troops, fatigued as they were by the hardships and sufferings which they recently endured during the memorable Pope campaign, to intercept the enemy. The fact that their old commander was again at his post rein.

vigorated their wearied frames and revived their spirits, which had naturally drooped under the repeated defeats, and although the ranks had been sadly depleted in the numerous battles and skirmishes which were fought during the retreat, without a moment's unnecessary delay the army was in motion.

THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN.

General McClellan left Washington on the seventh, having temporarily transferred the command of the defences of the capital to General Banks, and after cautious marching, made so by the inability to ascertain whether the enemy actually intended to invade Pennsyl.. vania or to march on Washington from the North, on the fourteenth, four of the corps on the right wing and centre, arrived at South Mountain, and the balance of the army was within supporting distance. During the entire march the army was moved in such order, that it might be concentrated at any time. On the thirteenth the right wing and the centre passed through Frederick, from which place the enemy had just retired towards Harper's Ferry, thus making it necessary for General McClellan to force the passes through the mountain ranges and gain possession of Boonsboro' and Rohrersville, before he could extend relief to Colonel Miles, commanding at Harper's Ferry. On the thirteenth he came into possession of an order issued four days previous by General Lee, prescribing the manner in which the different Divisions of his army should move.

Before leaving Washington, General McClellan suggested that the troops at Harper's Ferry should be withdrawn to the North side of the Potomac, but as the recommendation was not observed, it was too late when the matter was left to his discretion to do any thing but attempt to relieve them Immediate arrangements were

made for that purpose, and the left was ordered to move through Crampton's Pass, while the centre and right marched upon Turner's Pass in front of Middletown. On the thirteenth Colonel Miles sent word that he could hold out with certainty two days longer, in answer to which three copies of the following were sent by three different couriers on three different routes.

"MIDDLETOWN, September 14th, 1862. "COLONEL :-The army is being rapidly concentrated here. We are now attacking the pass on the Hagerstown road over the Blue Ridge. A column is about attacking the Burkettsville and Boonsboro' pass. You may count on our making every effort to relieve you. You may rely upon my speedily accomplishing that object. Hold out to the last extremity. If it is possible, reoccupy the Maryland Heights with your whole force. If you can do that, I will certainly be able to relieve you. As the Catoctin Valley is in our possession, you can safely cross the river at Berlin or its vicinity, so far as opposition on this side of the river is concerned. Hold out to the last.

"GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,

"Colonel D. S. MILES."

"Major-General Commanding."

On the previous day he had sent a despatch to General Franklin, advising him of the enemy's movements, and instructing him to relieve Colonel Miles as soon as possible. "If you effect this," he wrote, "you will order him to join you at once with all his disposable troops, first destroying the bridges over the Potomac, if not already done, and leaving a sufficient garrison to prevent the enemy from passing the ford. You will then return by Rohrersville on the direct road to Boonsboro', if the main column has not succeeded in its attack. If it has succeeded, take the road to Rohrersville, to Sharpsburg and Williamsport, in order either to cut off the retreat of Hill and Longstreet towards the Potomac, or prevent the repassage of Jackson. My general idea is to cut the enemy in two and beat him in detail."

Again, on th: 14th, he sent the following:

66

"HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, FREDERICK, September 14th, 1862—2 P.M. "MAJOR-GENERAL FRANKLIN :

86

Your despatch of 12.30 just received. Send back to hurry up Couch. Mass your troops and carry Burkettsville at any cost. We shall have strong opposition at both passes. As fast as the troops come up, I will hold a reserve in readiness to support you. If you find the enemy in very great force at any of these passes, let me know at once, and amuse them as best you can, so as to retain them there. In that event, I will probably throw the mass of the army on the pass in front of here. If I carry that, it will clear the way for you, and you must follow the enemy as rapidly as possible.

"GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,

"Major-General Commanding."

THE BATTLES OF CRAMPTON'S GAP AND
SOUTH MOUNTAIN-GENERAL MCCLELLAN'S
OFFICIAL REPORT.

Here follows General McClellan's official reports of the battles of Crampton's Gap and South Mountain:

"General Franklin pushed his corps rapidly forward towards Crampton's Pass, and, at about 12 o'clock on the 14th, arrived at Burkettsville, immediately in rear of which he found the enemy's infantry posted in force on both sides of the road, with artillery in strong positions to defend the approaches to the pass. Slocum's division was formed upon the right of the road leading through the gap, and Smith's upon the left. A line formed of Bartlett's and Torbett's brigades, supported by Newton, whose activity was conspicuous, advanced steadily upon the enemy, at a charge, on the right. The enemy were driven from their position at the base of the mountain, where they were protected by a stone wall, steadily forced back up the slope, until they reached the position of their battery on the road, well up the mountain. There they made a stand. They were, however, driven back, retiring their artillery in echelon, ntil, after an action of three hours, the crest was gained, and the enemy hastily fled down the mountain on the other side.

On the left of the road Brooks's and Irwin's brigades, of Smith's division, formed for the protection of Slocum's flank, charged up the mountain in the same steady manner, driving the enemy before them until the crest was carried. Four hundred prisoners, from seventeen different organizations; seven hundred stand of arms, one piece of artillery, and three colors, were captured by our troops in this brilliant action. It was conducted by General Franklin in all its details.

"The loss in General Franklin's corps was one hundred and

fifteen killed, four hundred and sixteen wounded, and two missing. The enemy's loss was about the same. The enemy's position was such that our artillery could not be used with any effect. The close of the action found General Franklin's advance in Pleasant Valley, on the night of the 14th, within three and one-half miles of the point on Maryland Heights, where he might on the same night, or on the morning of the 15th, have formed a junction with the garrison of Harper's Ferry, had it not been previously withdrawn from Maryland Heights."

At midnight the following despatch was sent to General Franklin :

'BOLIVAR, September 15th-1 A.M. "General Franklin :-GENERAL:

"The Commanding General directs that you occupy with your command the road from Rohrersville to Harper's Ferry, placing a sufficient force at Rohrersville to hold that position in case it should be attacked by the enemy from Boonsboro'. Eudeavor to open communication with Colonel Miles at Harper's Ferry, attacking and destroying such of the enemy as you may find in Pleasant Valley. Should you succeed in opening communication with Colonel Miles, direct him to join you with his whole command, with all the guns and public property that he can carry with him. The remainder of the guns will be spiked or destroyed; the rest of the public property will also be destroyed. You will then proceed to Boonsboro', which place the Commanding General intends to attack to-morrow, and join the main body of the army at that place. Should you find, however, that the enemy have retreated from Boonsboro' towards Sharpsburg, you will endeavor to fall upon him and cut off his retreat. By command of "MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN. "Geo. D. Ruggles, Colonel, and Aide-de-Camp."

On the 15th the following were received from General Franklin :

66

"AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT PLEASANT, "IN PLEASANT VALLEY, THREE MILES FROM ROHRERSVILLE, September 15th—8.50 a.m. "GENERAL :-My command started at daylight this morning, and I am waiting to have it closed up here. General Couch arrived about ten o'clock last night. I have ordered one of his brigades and one battery to Rohrersville or to the strongert point in its vicinity. The enemy is drawn up in line of battle abou; two miles to our front, one brigade in sight. As soon as I am sure that Robrersville is occupied I shall move forward to attack the enemy. This may be two hours from now. If