The Maryland campaign.
Stuart's cavalry crossed the
Potomac on the 5th of September;
Fitz Lee moving on the
New Market,
Hampton on Hoyattstown roads, while
Munford covered
Sugar Loaf mountain, with his pickets extended as far as
Poolesville.
The 6th regiment had been detached, and the 17th battalion sent on some special duty; so that
Munford had only three regiments, the 7th, 12th and 2d.
On the 7th of September,
Pleasanton's cavalry drove in
Munford's pickets, and on the next day attaeked his command with superior numbers, driving the 12th regiment before them in some confusion.
The sharp shooters of the 2d regiment checked this advance near
Barnesville.
On the following day, the 9th of September, occurred the fight at Monocacy Church, in which the 7th again suffered loss.
On the 10th
Pleasanton attacked
Munford on
Sugar Loaf Mountain, but was repulsed; on the 14th
Franklin's corps advanced in force, and
Munford retired to a point near
Frederick.
The critical situation of the Confederate army on the 14th of September is well known to the old soldiers, as well as to the students of history.
The dispatch to
D. H. Hill that fell into
McClellan's hands revealed the position of our troops, and accounts for the vigor of the
Federals at Crampton's Gap and other points—the defence of the former by
Munford, with his two regiments and a fragment of the two regiments from
Mahone's brigade, under the gallant
Colonel Parham, deserves a more extended notice than can be given here.
With less than 800 men he held in check for three hours three brigades of
Slocum's, and two of
Smith's divisions.
As the
Federals closed down upon
Sharpsburg he was assigned to the right of
Lee's line of battle, and on the 12th and 18th was actively engaged in skirmishing with the
Federal cavalry.
I regret that time will not permit even extracts from his report.
