army, including the investment
of Harper's Ferry, had been lost or disposed of by some one in
Frederick City, and when this place was occupied, on September 13, by
the Federals, was delivered to General McClellan. Thus acquainted with
the location and movements of each division of the Confederate army,
which was scattered over a wide territory and separated by a river and
rugged mountains, it seems surprising that with his army of 90,000 men
he should not have practically destroyed General Lee's army of 40,000.
General Lee, however, was informed early on the morning of the
fourteenth that a copy of his order had fallen into the hands of General
McClellan.

This was done by a citizen of Frederick City who happened to be present
when General McClellan received it and heard him express satisfaction
over such a stroke of luck. This citizen at once went to work to inform
General Lee, which task he accomplished by passing through the Federal
lines during the night and informing General Stuart, who forthwith
communicated it to General Lee, who lost no time in moving heaven and
earth--the former by prayer, we assume; the latter by his authority over
men--to meet the emergency. Results proved how wonderfully he succeeded.

As we moved past the town we saw neither any of our troops nor those of
the enemy, and heard no firing. Although there was complete absence of
the usual prelude to battle, still the apprehension came over us that
something serious in that line was not very remote, either in time or
place. The commanders of both armies were conscious of the importance
of the impending contest, which perhaps explains the extreme caution
they exercised.

After passing through a piece of woodland, we entered a small field and
came in distinct view of two blue lines of battle, drawn up one in rear
of the other. On these we at once opened fire, and were answered very
promptly by a Federal battery in the same quarter. While thus engaged we
had a visitor in the person of a young fellow who had just been
commissioned a lieutenant, having previously been an orderly at brigade
headquarters. Feeling his newly acquired importance, he spurred his
horse around among the guns, calling out, "Let 'em have it!" and the
like, until, seeing our disgust at his impertinent encouragement, and
that we preferred a chance to let him have it, he departed. Our next
visitor came in a different guise, and by a hint of another kind was
quickly disposed o