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work were plainly visible, protruding from the shallow graves in which they had been hastily buried by friend or foe.
The morning after we reached the Heights, the clouds, which had been discharging their watery contents upon us with unpleasant constancy since our arrival, broke away, and promised fair weather and a burning sun. We could see along the lofty ridge huge guns pointing off over the plains, and the white army wagons slowly toiling up its rugged sides; in the afternoon, however, dense clouds rolled over the mountain and drenched everybody and everything with showers of tropical intensity.
So, for every one of five days spent in that locality, we were alternately cheered by transient sunshine in the morning, and saturated by copious showers in the afternoon.
On the 29th, the Twenty-Third Maine, whose term of service had expired, went home rejoicing.
It had not seen any fighting.
It was made up of stalwart men, and was quite well drilled in the manual of arms, better, perhaps, than any other at Poolsville.
On the same date, one of ‘Scott's Nine Hundred,’ shot while picketing on Bolivar Heights, was brought into camp, and a Dutch lieutenant and nineteen men were captured.
This, of course, was a sensation for us. It made war seem more of a reality than hitherto.
Thirty Rebel prisoners were also brought in this day. One forenoon1 Gen. Hooker came riding up the Heights on his white horse.2
1 St June 26th.
All doubt as to the enemy's purposes being now dispelled, Gen. Hooker crossed the Potomac near Edwards Ferry, and advanced to Frederick, himself visiting by the way Halrper's Ferry. He found there, or rather on Maryland Heights, Gen. French with 11,000 men, whom he very naturally desired to add to his army in the momentous battle now pending. . . . Hooker had already drawn from the garrison at Washington all that Halleck would spare-leaving but 11,000 effectives under Heintzelman, which was none too much. But having crossed the Potomac, he had very properly inquired by telegraph of Halleck, ‘Is there any reason why Maryland Heights should not be abandoned after the public stores and property are removed?’ and been answered: ‘Maryland Heights have always been regarded as an important point to be held by us, and much expense and labor incurred in fortifying them. I cannot approve of their abandonment except in case of absolute necessity.’ Hooker at once rejoined:
I have received your telegram in regard to Harper's Ferry. I find 10,000 men here in condition to take the field. Here, they are of no earthly account. They cannot defend a ford of the river; and so far as Harper's Ferry is concerned, there is nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work of the troops, they remain when the troops are withdrawn. No enemy will ever take possession of them for them. This is my opinion. All the public property could have been secured to-night, and the troops marched to where they could have been of some service. Now they are but a bait for the rebels should they return. I beg that this may be presented to the Secretary of War and his Excellency the President.
The next day brought Col. Hardie to Hooker's headquarters at Frederick, with instructions relieving Hooker, and devolving the command on Gen. Meade, who was therewith advised that he might do as he pleased with the Harper's Ferry men. . . . Such a change of commanders, for no more urgent reasons, on the very brink of a great battle, has few parallels in history. Whatever his faults, Hooker was loved and trusted by his soldiers, who knew less of Meade, and had less faith in him. Had that army been polled, it would have voted to fight the impending battle under Hooker without the aid of French's 11,000 men, rather than under Meade with that reinforcement.American Conflict, Vol. II.
The Arakelyan press, Boston, 1909.
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