During the latter part of the night of the 3d, and all day of the 4th, the weary and dispirited troops of Lee retraced their steps. There was no confusion, no disorganization, for, except the depleted ranks, the army was as intact as when it marched over the same road but a few hours before, on their way, as they believed, to certain victory. But how different must have been the feelings of all as they looked around and missed the familiar forms and features of their comrades now still in death or prisoners in the hands of the enemy, thousands of them wounded and dying. To add to their wretchedness the rain commenced to fall in torrents shortly after they began their retrograde movement, and continued the whole of the next day, making the marching very fatiguing and the roads almost impassible for the wagon trains.
Steadily they retired, followed by the army of Meade at a respectful distance. In fact it was a mere show of following that was demanded by the people of the North after what they believed to have been a great victory.
“Do not let the army of Lee escape you,” was more than once telegraphed to the Federal General. But that officer knew better than all others the shattered and disorganized condition of his own army, and the certain destruction that awaited him should he venture an attack. To follow, then, to quiet the clamorings of the people and the officials at Washington, was all he pretended to do. Had this not been the case he would have gladly taken up the gage of battle so defiantly thrown down to him by General Lee at Hagerstown, and where he suffered him to remain until the Confederate Commander, tired of waiting, again resumed his march by the same slow stages towards the Potomac.
On the 14th of July, Steuart’s brigade recrossed the river at Williamsport, and took up the line of march in the direction of Martinsburg, after an absence from Virginia’s soil of just twenty-six days, of which eleven were spent in Pennsylvania and fifteen in Maryland.
Passing through Martinsburg, destroying the railroad at and near that place, the command went into camp near Darksville, where it was determined to rest and recruit the tired troops for a few days.
On the 22d Johnson’s division broke camp near Darksville and proceeded to Winchester, where it arrived that evening after a fatiguing day’s march.
Next morning rumors prevailed that the enemy were crossing at Snicker’s Gap, and the troops were hurried forward to check, and if possible drive them back. They were found in no force, however, and after a little artillery practice they retired.
Passing through Front Royal and Luray, and crossing the mountains at Thompson’s Gap, on the 28th of July they took the road leading to Madison Court House, and passing through that once beautiful village, marched for Orange Court House, via Gordonsville, crossing the Rapidan at Liberty Mills, and arriving at their place of destination on the even of August 1st.
The division was destined to remain here some time, and the incidents attending its stay, and many of the subsequent movements of the Second Maryland, I will give the reader in the form of a diary.
Friday, September 6th.—Up to this date but little of interest has transpired since our arrival, August 1st. The troops have greatly recovered their spirits since the disastrous invasion of Pennsylvania, and are eager to again meet the enemy. We are now thoroughly organized, and although our regiments and brigades do not number as many men as they did three months ago, still we have a large and efficient army. To-day, at five o’clock, P. M., we were called upon to witness a sad, sad scene, in the execution of ten men in the Third North Carolina, of our Brigade. Their crime was desertion, and that under peculiar circumstances. They were men of families, and intelligence had reached them that their wives and little ones were in want. Unable to resist the appeal, these poor fellows started off without leave to succor them if possible. But, unfortunately, they took their arms with them. An officer of their regiment (Adjutant Mallett) was sent to bring them back, and was killed. They were apprehended, tried by court-martial, and sentenced to death. All that it was possible to do was done by their friends to save them, but in vain; and these brave men, who had proved their devotion to the cause in which they had embarked on many a bloody field, were at last to die by the hands of their comrades. The execution took place upon the brigade drill ground, and was witnessed by the whole division, which was drawn up so as to form three sides of a square. The doomed men evinced the greatest firmness when pinioned to the stakes, and died like the brave men they were. At the first fire all fell dead but one, and it was necessary to discharge three shots into his body before life was extinct. It was indeed a sad, sickening sight.