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complete as was that in the battle of Bull Run; which had been
fought on precisely the same ground。 However; under cover of the
darkness the Federals retreated to Centreville; whence they were
driven on the following day。
In the tremendous fighting in which Jackson's command had for
three long days been engaged; the cavalry bore a comparatively
small part。 The Federal artillery was too powerful to permit the
employment of large bodies of cavalry and although from time to
time charges were made when an opportunity seemed to offer
itself; the battle was fought out by the infantry and artillery。 When
the end came Jackson's command was for a time hors de combat。
During the long two days' march they had at least gathered corn
and apples to sustain 'ife; but during these three days' fighting they
had had no food whatever; and many were so weak that they could
no longer march。
They had done all that was possible for men to do; had for two
days withstood the attack of an enemy of five times their numbers;
and had on the final day borne their full share in the great struggle;
but now the greater part cou'd do no more; thousands of men were
unable to drag themselves a step further; and Lee's army was
reduced in strength for the time by nearly 20;000 men。 All these
afterward rejoined it; some as soon as they recovered limped away
to take their places in the ranks again; others made their way to the
depot at Warrenton; where Lee had ordered that all unable to
accompany his force should rendezvous until he returned and they
were able to rejoin their regiments。
Jackson marched away and laid siege to Harper's Ferry; an
important depot garrisoned by 11;000 men; who were forced to
surrender just as McClellan with a fresh army; 100;000 strong;
which was pressing forward to its succor; arrived within a day's
march。 As soon as Jackson had taken the place be hurried away
with his troops to join Lee; who was facing the enemy at the
Antictam river。 Here upon the fellowing day another terrible battle
was fought; the Confederates; though but 39;000 strong; repulsing
every attack by the Federals; and driving them with terrible
slaughter back across the river。
Their own loss; however; had been very heavy; and Lee; knowing
that he could expect no assistance; while the enemy were
constantly receiving reinforcements; waited for a day to collect his
wounded; bury his dead; and send his stores and artillery to the
rear; and then retired unpursued across the Rappahannock。 Thus
the hard…fought campaign came to an end。
Vincent Wingfield was not with the army that retired across the
Rappahannock。 A portion of the cavalry had followed the broken
Federals to the very edge of the stream; and just as they reined in
their horses a round shot from one of the Federal batteries carried
away his cap; and he fell as if dead from his horse。 During the
night some of the Northerners crossed the stream to collect and
bring back their own wounded who had fallen near it; and coming
across Vincent; and finding that he still breathed; and was
apparently without a wound; they carried him back with them
across the river as a prisoner。
Vincent had indeed escaped without a wound; having been only
stunned by the passage of the shot that had carried away his cap;
and missed him but by the fraction of an inch。 He had begun to
recover consciousness just as his captors caine up; and the action
of carrying him completely restored him。 That he had fallen into
the hands of the Northerners he was well aware; but he was unable
to imagine how this; had happened。 He remembered that the
Confederates had been; up to the moment when he fell; completely
successful; and he could only imagine that in a subsequent attack
the Federals had turned the tables upon them。
How he himself had fallen; or what had happened to him; he had
no idea。 Beyond a strange feeling of numbness in the head he was
conscious of no injury; and he could only imagine that his horse
had been shot under him; and that he must have fallen upon his
head。 The thought that his favorite horse was killed afflicted him
almost as much as his own capture。 As soon as his captors
perceived that their prisoner's consciousness had returned they at
once reported that an officer of Stuart's cavalry had been taken;
and at daybreak next morning General McClellan on rising was
acquainted with the fact; and Vincent was conducted to his tent。
〃You are unwounded; sir?〃 the general said in some surprise。
〃I am; general;〃 Vincent replied。 〃I do not know how it happened;
but I believe that my horse must have been shot under me; and that
I must have been thrown and stunned; however; I remember
nothing from the moment when I heard the word halt; just as we
reached the side of the stream; to that when I found myself being
carried here。〃
〃You belong to the cavalry?〃
Yes; sir。〃
Was Lee's force all engaged yesterday?〃
〃I do not know;〃 Vincent said。 〃I only came up with Jackson's
division from Harper's Ferry the evening before。〃
〃I need not have questioned you;〃 McClellan said。 〃I know that
Lee's whole army; 100;000 strong; opposed me yesterday。〃
Vincent was silent。 He was glad to see that the Federal general; as
usual; enormously overrated the strength of the force opposed to
him。
〃I hear that the whole of the garrison of Harper's Ferry were
released on parole not to serve again during the war。 If you are
ready to give me your promise to the same effect I will allow you
to return to your friends; if not; you must remain a prisoner until
you are regularly exchanged。〃
〃I must do so; then; general;〃 Vincent said quietly。 〃I could not
return home and remain inactive while every man in the South is
fighting for the defense of his country; so I will take my chance of
being exchanged。〃
〃I am sorry you choose that alternative;〃 McClellan said。 〃I hate to
see brave men imprisoned if only for a day; and braver men than
those across yonder stream are not to be found。 My officers and
men are astonished。 They seem so thin and worn as to be scarce
able to lift a musket; their clothes are fit only for a scarecrow; they
are indeed pitiful objects to look at; but the way in which they
fight is wonderful。 I could not have believed had I not seen it; that
men could have charged as they did again and again across ground
swept by a tremendous artillery and musketry fire; it was
wonderful! I can tell you; young sir; that even though you beat us
we are proud of you as our countrymen; and I believe that if your
General Jackson were to ride through our camp he would be
cheered as lustily and heartily by our men as he is by his own。〃
Some fifty or sixty other prisoners had been taken; they had been
captured in the hand…to…hand struggle that had taken place on some
parts of the field; having got separated from their corps and mixed
up with the enemy; a