Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/115

 First Maryland Campaign. 109

After the various commands were in position the intervention of the rivers between Jackson and his colleagues made it difficult to communicate with them. The only means of communication was by signals, and some hours were consumed in learning the con- dition of affairs and transmitting the orders for attack. General Walker opened fire from his guns on the afternoon of the 14th. Jackson then followed suit, and McLaws joined in a little later in the afternoon. The fire from Walker's guns was effective, as it was a plunging fire at no great distance. McLaws was too far off to ac- complish as much, but the moral effect of his shells, plunging from the mountain tops, was no doubt great. Jackson's troops were the only ones who could come in contact with the garrison since the Po- tomac separated the Federals from McLaws, and the Shenandoah separated them from Walker. Jackson made disposition therefore to attack the Federal works. General Walker, in his interesting article in the June Century, says that as late as midday on the 14th Jackson had no knowledge of the important events transpiring at the South Mountain passes, and thought the fight going on there was simply a cavalry affair. He therefore spoke at that time of regularly summoning the garrison to surrender, and of giving time for the removal of non-combatants before opening his batteries. Later in the day Jackson learned from General Lee of the great danger threatened by McClellan's unexpectedly rapid advance, and was informed of the urgent necessity for completing the operations at Harper's Ferry. Jackson set to work with all his energy on the night of the 14th, and accomplished the object in view. During that night A. P. Hill, who was next the Shenandoah, was thrown forward, until some of his troops were on the right and in the rear of the Federal line of defence. Jones's division, near the Potomac, was thrown forward to attack the portion of the Federal line in its front. Ewell's division was moved forward on the turnpike between the two. During the night Colonel Crutchfield took ten guns over the Shenan- doah, and established them near the foot of Loudoun Heights, so as to attack the formidable fortifications of the Federals in reverse. Colonel Lindsay Walker, and his gallant adjutant, Ham. Chamber- layne, brought up a large number of Hill's batteries to a position which a portion of Hill's infantry had gained. The greatest activity prevailed in Jackson's command during the night. The General himself took little if any rest, and soon after daylight mounted his horse and rode to the front. Fire was opened from all of Jackson's batteries that were in position at an early hour. This fire was