Rufus Saxton to SAxTon, Harper's Ferry, May 24, 1862

May 24, 1862—3.41 p. m. General SAxTon, Harper’s Ferry: A fine battery of artillery will leave Baltimore for you at 4 o’clock. More will leave here this evening. Exercise your own judgment as to your defense. Whatever you do will be cordially approved, be the result what it may. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. HARPER’S FERRY, May 25, 1862. (Received 10.45 a. m.) I arrived here at 9.15 a.m. The train is 1 mile behind, with the One hundred and ninth Regiment. The other Washington regiment has not arrived One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania is here, and will go on toward Winchester, taking every precaution against surprise. Five companies of the Maryland Cavalry are getting ready to go out on the turnpike toward Winchester to obtain information. Shall hold the One hundred and ninth Regiment here for the present. The telegraph says this morning that General Banks is retreating from Winchester. I do not think the information altogether reliable. It may be the enemy have got possession of the telegraph. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON. HARPER’S FERRY, May 25, 1862. Heavy firing was heard near Winchester this morning. To obtain reliable information is difficult; there are so many reports in circulation, started undoubtedly by the enemy. Cavalry for scouting purpose is very much needed. The five companies here are in a shocking condition—horses not shod, and no saddles. The latter have arrived and will be issued at once and the scouts started. I fear it will be to-morrow before they will be ready. One regiment has gone this morning to re-enforce General Banks; the other regiment will go on as soon as I am _ satisfied it will be prudent to leave the railroad bridge unprotected. If the whole movement of the enemy is not a feint in force to cover a movement on Manassas there is a possibility they may move on this place. Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON Secretary of War. HARPER’S FERRY, May 25, 1862. (Received 12.20 p. m.) In case we are attacked two light batteries and two 8-inch howitzers would be of great service to command the river and bridge. There is no artillery here. The facilities for obtaining accurate information are so limited, and so many rumors of danger are in circulation, that I find it difficult to estimate its exact extent. One of the most reliable reports is that General Banks is in full retreat on Martinsburg, the enemy in pursuit as far as Spencer [?] Station. Ishall stop the regiment sent forward to Winchester this morning at Charlestown, to fall back on this point if It is necessary. I think it would be of no service to General Banks, as I cannot yet inform myself of the strength or purpose of the enemy. I want all the assistance I can get. I cannot realize yet that we are in any immediate danger here. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON. War DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862—2.10. General Saxton, Harper’s Ferry: I have ordered General Dix to send you some artillery from Balti- more. I will send some from here to-night. Put yourself in communication with General Dix, and call upon him as well as upon me for anything you want. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 2.25.) All the reports I receive go to show that General Banks is hotly pressed and in full retreat toward Martinsburg. There is a panic, and so few troops here I am satisfied that it is not best to send troops to Winchester, as it is now in the possession of the enemy. The troops have left Charlestown, and are falling back upon this place. This was done before the regiment I sent forward this morning reached there. I do not think, with our present force, it will be wise to reoccupy it. I shall send two regiments to occupy Bolivar Heights, a commanding position near this place, and the force here is too small to follow up the force before which General Banks is retreating, and at the same time defend this place, which I shall do to the last. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 3.20 p. m.) Stragglers have come in from Winchester and report that General Banks attacked the rebels this morning in front of Winchester and was driven back into the town. Our troops burned the town. General Banks’ army is disorganized and in full retreat on Martinsburg. The enemy is in full pursuit. It may be necessary for us to fight the enemy with the river in our rear or withdraw to the other side and defend the bridge and the crossing. We feel the want of artillery severely. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Wak DEPARTMENT . May 25, 1862—4.15 p. m. General Saxton, Harper’s Ferry: If Banks reaches Martinsburg is he any the better for it? Will not the enemy cut him off from thence to Harper’s Ferry? Have you sent anything to meet him and assist him at Martinsburg? This is ap inquiry, not an order. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 5.30 p. m.) Stragglers continue to come in in large numbers. General Banks’ column too much frightened to give a clear account of affairs. They represent his rout as complete. They report that 11,000 men are mov- ing down upon Harper’s Ferry. I believe this is an exaggeration, but I think the rebel force is large—that they have a large amount of artillery. It was this which defeated General Banks. We have no artillery here yet. Have 2,500 men. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. K. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 6 p. m.) General Banks cannot reach Harper’s Ferry from Martinsburg. He had two lines of retreat—one to Harper’s Ferry, one to Martinsburg. He took the latter. The most intelligent man I have seen, who was in the battle at Winchester, reports that General Banks’ army fought for six hours and then retreated in great confusion—perfectly disorganized. Parts of companies have arrived here who ran away from his column. It is 19 miles from Winchester to Martinsburg, and 23 miles from here to Martinsburg, and 11 or 12 from Williamsport. His only chance is to go there. We could do nothing to assist him, as we could not ascertain line of retreat until it was too late. The whole force here does not amount to over 2,500 men, and 1,000 of these did not get ready to march before 12 o’clock to-day. I am anxiously looking for artillery. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. His Excellency the PRESIDENT. Wak DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862—6 p. m. Brigadier-General SAxTON, Harper’s Ferry: You will have before morning a large force of artillery with officers and artillerymen. Hold firm and keep calm. Mr. Watson is on the road with a train of artillery from here besides that from Baltimore. Secretary of War. Wak DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862—6.50 p. m. General SAxTon, Harper’s Ferry: One good six-gun battery, complete in its men and appointments, is now on its way to youfrom Baltimore. Hleven other guns, of different sorts, are on their way to you from here. Hope they will all reach you before morning. As you have but 2,500 men at Harper’s Ferry, where are the rest which were in that vicinity and which we have sent for ward? Have any of them been cat off? HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 9.20 p. m.) I feel perfectly secure here for the present. The enemy cannot attack before to-morrow noon. If the promised re-enforcement arrives we can then afford to fight them, with the river in our rear. I have every reason to believe they are following General Banks, with a view to capture his army. I hope we shall have force enough to cut them off. Their treatment of prisoners and wounded is barbarous in the extreme. The women in Winchester fired upon our soldiers in the streets. Since I commenced this a dispatch has arrived giving information that General Banks was crossing the Potomac in retreat at Martinsburg [Williamsport]. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON. Wak DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862—9.46 p. m. Brigadier-General SAXTON, Harper’s Ferry: Your dispatch received, and your confidence gratifies us. General Hamilton, formerly of Banks’ division, was sent forward to join Banks and report to him for orders. He telegraphs that he is on the train with Mr. Watson. If he remains at Harper’s Ferry and can render any service I desire him to do so, but not to supersede you in command. By special assignment of the President you are assigned to the command of the forces and operations at Harper’s Ferry, without regard to seniority of rank. Please acknowledge the hour at which you receive this and report the state of affairs at that hour. Secretary of War. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 10.10 p. m.) All the troops which were in this vicinity—one company and a half of the First Potomac Home Brigade and six companies Eighth New York Cavalry—are here. None of the troops which have arrived since o’clock to-day. Tam anxiously looking for artillery. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. His Excellency the PRESIDENT. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 25, 1862. (Received 10.24 p. m.) Everything is now quiet. Pickets out 3 miles on the road toward Winchester and Charlestown. Three companies of cavalry near Charlestown. Six companies of infantry on Bolivar Hill, on outpost service. Three regiments of infantry on a commanding height in front of the village. The remainder of the forces are guarding the bridge and the passage of the river. I have had all the contrabands at work moving the stores across the river, to provide against a possible contingency. I feel sure that I have made the best disposition of the force here. Tomorrow, if sufficient re-enforcements arrive, I shall occupy Bolivar Heights in force. Your assignment to the command of operations was received at 10 o’clock. I will do all in my power to merit your confidence. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Wak DEPARTMENT, : May 25, 1862. General SAxTon, Harper’s Ferry: I fear you have mistaken me. I did not mean to question the correctness of your conduct; on the contrary, I approve what you have done. As the 2,500 reported by you seemed small to me I feared some had got to Banks and been cut off with him. Please tell me the exact number you now have in hand. Wak DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862—12 p. m. General SAxTon, Harper’s Ferry: Banks appears to have reached the vicinity of the Potomac safely and intends to cross at Williamsport to-night. He does not know how you stand at Ferry. Have you opened communications with him? You should send a messenger immediately. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Wak DEPARTMENT, 8 May 26, 1862. Brigadier-General SAxTON Harper’s Ferry 5 Artillery will be forwarded in the course of an hour from here. Please report the present condition of things. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of Wa. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. If the artillery arrives in time, so that we can command the bridge, &c., we can hold it with less disaster. The want of artillery is the only thing that would make me think of withdrawing to the other side. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. I have had as careful an estimate made of the force here as is possible at present. It amounts to 6,700 men. Many more are on the way. A portion of the artillery has arrived, including one light battery. No signs of the enemy yet. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. His Excellency the PRESIDENT. HABPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. (Received 1.35 a. m.) Yes.* I sent scout out 3 miles on Winchester road. No enemy this side of Charlestown. Ashby’s cavalry, 1,500 strong, are near Charlestown. Is it better, if we are attacked to-morrow, to risk an engagement on this side of the river, with the river in our rear, or retreat to the other side and guard the bridge?

R. SAXTON,