His troops were indignant at the surrender. Some shed tears.
"We have no country now," said one officer, wiping the tears from his face. If Miles had held out a little longer, he would have been relieved, for Franklin was driving General Cobb from Crampton's Pass, and would have been upon the rear of McLaw and Anderson.
The cavalry made their escape under cover of the night. They followed winding forest-paths through the woods, at dead of night, avoiding the roads till they were north of Sharpsburg. While crossing the Williamsport and Hagerstown road they came upon Longstreet's ammunition train.
"Hold!" said the officer commanding the cavalry to the forward driver, "you are on the wrong road. That is the way."
The driver turned towards the north as directed, not knowing that the officer was a Yankee.
"Hold on there! you are on the wrong road. Who told you to turn off here, I should like to know?" shouted the Rebel officer in charge of the train, dashing up on his horse.
"I gave the order, sir."
"Who are you, and what right have you to interfere with my train, sir," said the officer, coming up in the darkness.
"I am colonel of the Eighth New York cavalry, and you are my prisoner," said the Union officer, presenting his pistol.
The Rebel officer was astounded. He swore bad words, and said it was a mean Yankee trick.