Rufus Saxton to SAXxTON, Harper's Ferry, May 26, 1862

General SAXxTON, Harper’s Ferry:

You must judge of that yourself, as the emergency arises, and act according to the circumstances in which you are yourself placed. Whatever you do will be approved. You should be on the watch and expect an attack at an early hour in the morning, and be sure to hold your position until artillery arrives. Mr. Watson thinks they will arrive about daylight.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. (Received 2.10 p. m.) I can get no reliable information to-day of the locality of the enemy. Many reports are circulated that we are to be attacked at this place, and that they mean to force their way into Maryland by way of Har.

“Probably anewers inquiry in Stanton’s dispatch of May 25, 12 p. m., p. 631.

per’s Ferry. Everything is quiet here now. I have not been able to communicate with General Banks yet. Have heard nothing of Jackson’s movements, except a report that he was marching on this place. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. (Received 6 o’clock.)

Everything is quiet. The Third Delaware arrived this morning. No artillery yet. I shall keep the main body of troops on the Maryland side until the artillery arrives, with the exception of the three regiments in front of the town. Mr. Watson has not yet arrived. There are great delays on the railroad. I have not been able to get any additional news from General Banks.

Brigadier-General. E. K. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 26, 1862. (Received 9 p. m.)

Four companies of cavalry, which I have had out in the vicinity of Charlestown, have just come in. They were followed for some distance this side of Charlestown by the rebels, and had 1 horse shot. The commanding officer of the party says that Jackson is in Charlestown, and is moving down here to attack us. I have Reynolds’ light battery in position, and expect to hold him in check if he should come. While 1 am satisfied the rebels are in Charlestown in some force, I believe that Jackson is not there.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 27, 1862. (Received 7.35 a. m.) Everything is quiet. I shall put the greater portion of the forces here on Bolivar Heights, beyond Harper’s Ferry, to-day, and extend my pickets as far as possible. Almost all of the regiments are new and not well instructed. Our movements are consequently slow. If they were old soldiers I would take Winchester in a very short time, and hold it. Cannot a large amount of transportation be sent here? I could use it to very great advantage. R. SAXTON,

Brigadier-General, Oommanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 27, 1862.

The enemy are in some force in the immediate vicinity of this place.

I sent out two companies about dark this evening to scour the woods on Albion Heights, back of the town, where it was reported the enemy had a body of cavalry. After proceeding about 2 miles they were fired upon; 1 of our men killed and 1 wounded.

Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

Washington, May 28, 1862—12.45.

Brigadier-General SAXTON:

Direction has been given General Banks to get his force in order to establish a communication with you for the purpose of reoccupying his former lines. He has also been directed to supply you with transportation. Shields is moving toward Front Royal and Strasburg. It is designed to leave at Harper’s Ferry a sufficient force to make that

place secure.

HARPER’S FERRY, May 28, 1862. (Received May 28, 1 p. m.) Information from Martinsburg as late as 1 p. m. yesterday. The rebels had burnt Opequon Bridge and the trestle work at Martinsburg. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

HABPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 28, 1862. (Received 1.05 p. m.)

I sent out a strong party toward Martinsburg this morning. General Banks sent me a telegram this morning, informing me that two regiments of cavalry and some infantry were there; also that a prisoner says that Ashby was ordered to Winchester yesterday morning, and withdrew with a portion of his cavalry and some artillery. General Banks says he shall occupy Falling Waters to-day. He believes that the enemy is still strong at Winchester. Lieutenants Daniels and Dahlgren have their battery in position on the heights, commanding all the points in this vicinity, and had some splendid practice with the larger Dahlgren, shelling the woods and heights across the Shenandoah, where our scouting party was killed.

Brigadier-General. Hon. B. E. M. Stanton, Seoretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 31, 1862. (Received 8.45 a. mn.) The enemy moved up in force last evening about 7 o’clock, in a shower of rain, to attack. I opened on them from the position which the troops occupy above the town and from the Dahlgren battery on the mountains. The enemy then retired. Their pickets attacked ours twice last night within 300 yards of our works. A volley from General Slough’s breastworks drove them back. We lost 1 man killed. Enemy had signal-lights on the mountains in every direction. Their system of night-signals seems to be perfect. They fire on our pickets in every case. My men are overworked. Stood by their guns all night in the rain. What has become of Generals Frémont and McDowell?

Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Seoretary of War.

(Copies to Frémont and McDowell 9 a. m.)

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 31, 1862. (Received 9.30 a. m.) Hon. E. M. STANTON:

Telegraph General McDowell to press on with all possible haste. All my pickets driven in last night. Enemy in force in front and I believe on both flanks. My position is strong. Shall try to hold it.

, R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

(Telegraphed to McDowell 9.40 a. m.)

Washington, May 31, 1862—9.50 a. m. General SAxTON, Harper’s Ferry:

Shields has already surprised and captured the enemy’s rear guard at Front Royal. Shields is close after them. Frémont will be in line to-day. Keep cool and hold your ground.

Secretary of War.

Washington, May 31, 1862—10.30 a. m.

General Saxton, Harper’s Ferry:

General McDowell telegraphs me to say to you that he is pushing everything ahead; and if you hold on you won’t have to do so long, for the enemy will be on the retreat soon and you will be the pursuer.

Secretary of War.

: Washington, May 31, 1862. Brigadier-General SAXTON, Commanding Harper’s Ferry: , Report immediately by telegraph the particulars of the disgraceful conduct of Maulsby’s regiment in abandoning their post night before

eee EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., May 31, 1862. (Received 3.45 p. m.)

I was absent upon a reconnaissance when your dispatch came. Colonel Maulsby’s regiment left their post when in a position to which I had assigned them, and moved down into the town of Harper’s Merry without any authority, and wished to cross the river to the Maryland side, away from the enemy. Oolonel Miles, my chief of staff, ordered the colonel to take his regiment back to its position. He informed Colonel Miles and myself that he could not make his men go back; that they were utterly demoralized, and he begged me to allow his regiment to cross the river. Convinced that they would be useless I told them to go, and left their place to a braver regiment. At the time this affair occurred the action of this regiment came near causing a panic while I was changing the position of the entire command by a night march. The entire occupation of my time since the affair occurred has prevented me from sending you a report of it sooner. The regiment has been in a safe position since and has performed its required duty well. There are many brave men in the regiment, but I think the colonel lacks that force and energy of character necessary to the good commander. The regiment did not enlist to serve out of Maryland, which with some might be looked upon as an extenuation of their conduct. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, 31st. (Received 4.20 p. m.)

The enemy commenced their retreat last night soon after I shelled them from Battery Stanton, and their last company passed through Halltown about 9 o’clock thisa.m. Iam convinced that they had heard of McDowell’s advance, and the attack last night at so unseasonable an hour was a last effort to break through our lines. I have learned that the signals which I mentioned in my last dispatch were made to General R. Taylor’s brigade, which was advancing behind Loudoun Heights to cut off our line of communication.

There is no doubt but that the enemy fully expected to cut us off. His force is large and active. It is not best for me to follow him with my present force where he is driven back by Generals Frémont and McDowell. If I move out of my intrenchments he is strong enough to escape me in the open field.

I cannot speak too highly of the services of Lieutenant Daniels, U.S. Volunteers, and his splendid rifled 9-inch Dahlgren. Both he and they did their work well. I have reliable information that fifty cannon passed through Charlestown yesterday with the retreating army. The heaviest portion were with Taylor’s brigade, from Loudoun County, which passed behind Loudoun Heights. Taylor impresses everybody, old and young, into service as he goeson. General McDowell has some work before him.

Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. (Copy sent General McDowell 5.55 p. m.)

Omar, XXIV.) OPERATIONS IN Shenandoah VALLEY.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., June 1, 1862.

l have many reports of heavy firing to-day on the east side of the Blue Ridge. I have reliable information that on Thursday Jackson had ordered his army to storm this place, but the shells from our batteries were so destructive that he drew back out of their range and endeavored to draw us out to attack him.

R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General.

Washington, June 1, 1862. Brigadier-General SAXTON, Harper’s Ferry: ;

Your dispatch announcing that the enemy has not reappeared is received. Make a reconnaissance as far as Charlestown to ascertain whether the enemy is there or thereabouts. See that the reconnoitering force maintains strict discipline. Let couriers report the progress and discoveries of the reconnaissance from time to time to your headquarters, and forward the reports here promptly by telegraph.

; EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, June 1, 1862. (Received 6.20 p. m.)

My scouts, who have just come in from Charlestown, bring a rumor that Jackson is falling back from Winchester before the advance of our forces. There has been heavy firing there. I shall send out a strong

reconnaissance. R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General.

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., June 1, 1862.

A reconnaissance commanded by Captain Cole, which was sent to Charlestown, has just returned. Scoured the country on both sides of the road. Nosigns of theenemy. The inhabitants say the rebel force, 15,000 strong, retreated in great haste yesterday morning. Captain Cole reports heavy firing in the direction of Winchester. Our forces are undoubtedly there.

Hon. K. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., June 1, 1862—8 p. m.

My scouts have returned from Loudoun Mountain. The enemy had been there, but have gone. A shell thrown at night from our batteries passed over the mountain and exploded directly in their camp. All reports are that Jackson is falling back. He may try to get out across General Geary’s lines. I can see no other chance.

R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General.

Washington, June 1, 1862. Brigadier-General SAXTON:

The forces at Harper’s Ferry have been assigned to General Banks’ corps, and Major-General Sigel has been placed in command, with directions to report to General Banks and assume active operations against the enemy. You will please report to General Sigel on his arrival, and remain in such command as he may assign to you.

Secretary of War.

HARPER’S FERRY, V. A., June 1, 1862.

I have received your dispatch announcing the assignment of General Sigel to the forces here. I beg that you will not forget your promise when I left Washington that my assignment to duty was but temporary and relieve me from further duty with this command on the arrival of General Sigel.

Respectfully,