ilance of the videttes in front. After recovering breath she
unburdened herself of her load, which consisted, in part, of a pair of
long-legged cavalry boots, late issues of Northern newspapers, etc. This
load she had carried suspended from her waist and concealed under the
large hoop-skirt then worn by ladies. The newspapers and information of
large bodies of Federal troops being hurried by rail past Harper's Ferry
were delivered by young Ranson to General Lee on the following day.

Throughout the preceding day, while occupied about Harper's Ferry, we
heard heavy cannonading across the Maryland border, apparently eight or
ten miles from us. This had increased in volume, and by sunset had
evidently advanced toward us, as the sound of musketry was distinctly
heard. It proved to be an attack on Gen. D. H. Hill's division and other
commands occupying the South Mountain passes. After stubborn resistance
the Confederates had been forced to yield. So on reaching camp toward
midnight, after our visit to Charlestown, we were not surprised to find
the battery preparing to move. With scarcely an hour's delay we were
again on the march, heading for Maryland. We arrived at Shepherdstown
before dawn, and while halting in the road for half an hour Henry Lewis,
driver at my gun, overcome with sleep, fell sprawling from his horse,
rousing those about him from a similar condition.

CHAPTER XVIII

INTO MARYLAND AGAIN--BATTLE OF SHARPSBURG--WOUNDED--RETURN TO
WINCHESTER--HOME

Half a mile below the town we forded the Potomac for the third time, and
by the middle of the afternoon were on the outskirts of Sharpsburg, four
miles from the river. On the opposite, or east, side of this village are
Antietam creek and valley; a mile from the creek and parallel to it was
a heavily wooded mountain. It is not my design to attempt a description
of the battle which was fought on this ground on the following day,
generally conceded to have been the fiercest of the war, but only to
mention what came under my observation or was especially associated
therewith.

The unusual activity and aggressiveness on the part of General
McClellan, as evidenced by the fierce attacks made on our forces in the
South Mountain passes for the two preceding days, were explained by his
being in possession of General Lee's order to his subordinates. This
order, or a copy of it, which contained directions for the movements of
the various portions of the Confederate