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‘general: I have the honor to state that, after capitulating at Harper's Ferry, I was allowed by Gen. A. P. Hill, commanding at that post the forces of the enemy, some 24 wagons for the transportation of officers' baggage, after my pledge to return them to the enemy's lines.
I respectfully request, therefore, that the quartermaster be directed to forward them back.’
Tyler, however, instead of returning them, forwarded
White's letter to
Halleck's office, calling it a ‘strange arrangement,’ and asks ‘shall the wagons be returned, and how?’
What
Tyler saw ‘strange’ in it is not clear; but the tone of the letter suggests that difficulty was made, which is confirmed by
Hill's report that ‘the wagons which were loaned to carry off the private baggage of the officers were not returned for nearly two months, and not until repeated calls had been made for them.’
The second document, by
Lt. Bacon, adjutant of
D'Utassy's brigade, concerns the paroling of the
Federals.
1
A difference arose between
Col. D'Utassy and
Gen. Branch, in charge of the details, as to the meaning of the words ‘will not serve against the
Confederate States until regularly exchanged.’
A pass to the brigade, allowing it to cross the bridge, was refused until the matter was adjusted.
D'Utassy claimed that they might go West and serve against the Indians.
The question was referred to
Gen. A. P. Hill who refused to admit that understanding.
This was about 9 P. M. About 6 A. M.
Lt. Bacon reports that he —--
handed the muster-rolls to Gen. Hill at his headquarters and asked a pass for the brigade.
Hill asked if the brigade was paroled.
I replied, evasively, “I thought so.”
He then sat down and wrote a pass, upon which we immediately crossed the river, thus giving them the slip.
‘Upon the announcement of the surrender, Col. D'Utassy ordered the colors of all the regiments of our brigade to be conveyed to his headquarters.
This was done, and two hours were spent in removing the various colors from their staffs and packing them in the Colonel's private trunk.
The Adjutant General of Gen. Gregg made several demands on me for the colors, where I was engaged on the hill turning over the arms.
I informed him that they had been sent to our brigade headquarters.
He left, but shortly returned, saying that he could not find them.
I said I regretted it but could not aid him, that he must see my ’
