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176

INVASION OF MARYLAND.

CHAPTER XIX.

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 Sur

rendered.

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,

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OCCUPATION OF FREDERICK BY BURNSIDE. 179

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 re-built. 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 Fitz

180

JEFFERSON'S PASS.

hugh 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

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