An official
account in the morning's paper of the surrender of Harper's Ferry to our men on
Sunday last. Colonel Miles, the Federal commander, surrendered, unconditionally,
to General Jackson, 11,000 prisoners, 50 pieces of artillery, 12,000 stand of
arms, ammunition, quartermaster and commissary stores in large quantities.
McClellan attempted to come to the rescue of Harper's Ferry. A courier was
captured, sent by him to Miles, imploring him to hold out until he could bring
him reinforcements. General Lee ordered General D. H. Hill to keep McClellan in
check, and, for this purpose, placed him on the road near Boonesborough. It is
said that McClellan had a force of 80,000 men, and that General Hill, on
Saturday and Sunday, kept him in check all day — General Longstreet getting up
at night. Next day they attacked him, repulsed and drove him five miles. The
details of the battle have not yet appeared. We have further rumours of
fighting, but nothing definite. It is impossible for me to say how miserable we
are about our dear boys.
The body of Brigadier-General Garland was brought to this,
his native city, and his home, yesterday for interment. He was killed in the battle
near Boonesborough. This event was a great shock to the community, where he was
loved, admired, and respected. His funeral yesterday evening was attended by an
immense concourse of mourning friends. It made my heart ache, as a soldier's
funeral always does. I did not know him, but I know that he was “the only child
of his mother, and she is a widow;” and I know, moreover, that the country
cannot spare her chivalric sons.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 155-6
