a movement against such protests, no move was
immediately attempted.

This statement may modify the condemnatory judgments which were formed
against General Meade, and may prepare our minds rightly to interpret
General A. P. Howe's report of the general pursuit. In narrating its
spirit and progress, he says: "On the fourth of July it seemed evident
enough that the enemy were retreating. How far they were gone we could
not see from the front. We could see but a comparatively small force
from the position where I was. On Sunday the Fifth and Sixth Corps moved
in pursuit. As we moved, a small rearguard of the enemy retreated. We
followed them, with this small rearguard of the enemy before us, up to
Fairfield, in a gorge of the mountains. There we again waited for them
to go on. There seemed to be no disposition to push this rearguard when
we got up to Fairfield. A lieutenant from the enemy came into our lines
and gave himself up. He was a Northern Union man, in service in one of
the Georgia regiments; and, without being asked, he unhesitatingly told
me, when I met him as he was being brought in, that he belonged to the
artillery of the rearguard of the enemy, and that they had but two
rounds of ammunition with the rearguard. But we waited there without
receiving any orders to attack. It was a place where, as I informed
General Sedgwick, we could easily attack the enemy with advantage. But
no movement was made by us until the enemy went away. Then one brigade
of my division, with some cavalry, was sent to follow after them, while
the remainder of the Sixth Corps moved to the left. We moved on through
Boonsboro', and passed up on the pike-road leading to Hagerstown.

"After passing Boonsboro' it became my turn to lead the Sixth Corps.
That day, just before we started, General Sedgwick ordered me to move on
and take up the best position I could over a little stream on the
Frederick side of Funkstown. As I moved on, it was suggested to me by
him to move carefully. 'Don't come into contact with the enemy; we don't
want to bring on a general engagement.' It seemed to be the current
impression that it was not desired to bring on a general engagement. I
moved on until we came near Funkstown. General Buford was along that
way with his cavalry. I had passed over the stream referred to, and
found a strong position, which I concluded to take, and wait for the
Sixth Corps to come up. In the meantime General Buford, who was in
front,