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CHAPTER III.

During the afternoon of the 3d, the Second Maryland was ordered back to
the line of Rock Creek, followed by the enemy's skirmishers, but at a respectful
distance, and the casualties were, consequently few. The Northern historians,
without exception, assert that Steuart was driven out of the works at the point of
the bayonet, and so do the official reports of some of the Federal commanders.
There never was anything farther from the truth, and it is very much like that
story of the battalion " charging in column of regiments." The fact is, the
brigade remained in the breastworks captured from the enemy on the evening
of the 2d until ordered back by General Edward Johnson on the afternoon of
the 3d, when it retired deliberately to Rock Creek, where some little skirmishing
occurred at long range.

The brigade held its position on Rock Creek until about midnight, when it
moved to the right, and by daylight it had formed line of battle in the rear of
Seminary Hill.

This position was held all day of the 4th, and the skirmishers of the Second
Maryland were on the outskirts of Gettysburg, where they remained until the
retreat began.

About 2 o'clock on the morning of the 5th of July the command took the road
leading to Monterey Springs, Johnson's and Rodes' Divisions bringing up the
rear of the army.

But we had enough of the dreadful in the last chapter, and it is unnecessary
to give a detailed account of the suffering and misery endured by the heroic
survivors of the Army of Northern Virginia during their return march through
the rain and mud and darkness until Hagerstown was reached. And still these
men were cheerful to a degree that could hardly have been expected under the
trying circumstances surrounding them, and they felt the loss of comrades left
behind torn and bleeding on that bloody field at Gettysburg more than they did
their own sufferings. Their sufferings were mental, more than physical. They
had, it is true, fought a drawn battle when they should have won one, but that
could be evened up by winning the next one, and they were made happy when
at length, on July 11, the vicinity of Hagerstown was reached, and General Lee
formed his line of battle, this time on ground of his own choosing, and threw
down the gauntlet to General Meade. So far that General had only followed the
Confederate Army. No pursuit had been attempted except by his cavalry, which
contented itself with raids upon the wagon trains, and, although Lee marched
leisurely, General Meade marched more leisurely. Between Hagerstown and