f his generals. The one intended for
Gen. A.P. Hill never reached him. It was dropped by a courier and fell
into the hands of Gen. McClellan. This telltale slip of paper that might
have ended the war was found wrapped around two cigars. It read as
follows:

"Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, near Frederick, Md.
"September 9, 1862. "Special Orders, No. 191.

"The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road.
General Jackson's command will form the advance, and, after passing
Middletown, with such portion as he may select, take the route toward
Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and, by
Friday night, take possession of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad,
capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept
such as may attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry.

"General Longstreet's command will pursue the same road as far as
Boonsborough, where it will halt with the reserve, supply and baggage
trains of the army.

"General McLaws, with his own division and that of General R. H.
Anderson, will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown he
will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess
himself of the Maryland Heights and endeavor to capture the enemy at
Harper's Ferry and vicinity.

"General Walker, with his division, after accomplishing the object in
which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford,
ascend its right bank to Lovettsville, take possession of Loudoun
Heights, if practicable, by Friday morning. Key's Ford on his left,
and the road between the end of the mountain and the Potomac on his
right. He will, as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws
and General Jackson in intercepting the retreat of the enemy.

"General D.H. Hill's division will form the rear guard of the army,
pursuing the road taken by the main body. The reserve artillery,
ordnance, supply-trains, etc., will precede General Hill.

"General Stuart will detach a squadron of cavalry to accompany the
commands of Generals Longstreet, Jackson and McLaws, and with the
main body of the cavalry will cover the route of the army and bring
up all stragglers that may have been left behind.

"The commands of Generals Jackson, McLaws and Walker, after
accomplishing the objects for which they have been detached, will
join the main body of the army