nnsylvania, and leave Washington to be
bombarded!--turn south and east toward Washington and hear a cry of
protest and anger from an invaded state!--turn due east to Baltimore and
be awakened by the enemy's cannon thundering against the other sides of
the figure!--leave Baltimore out of the calculation and lose, perhaps,
the whole of Maryland! McClellan was disturbed enough. And then, in the
great drama of real life there occurred an incident.

An aide appeared in the doorway of the room in which were gathered
McClellan and several of his generals. The discussion had been a heated
one; all the men looked haggard, disturbed. "What is it?" asked
McClellan sharply.

The aide held something in his hand. "This has just been found, sir. It
seems to have been dropped at a street corner. Leaves and rubbish had
been blown over it. The soldier who found it brought it here. He thought
it important--and I think it is, sir."

He crossed the floor and gave it to the general. "Three cigars wrapped
in a piece of paper! Why, what--A piece of paper wrapped around three
cigars. Open the shutters more widely, Ames!"

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

_September 9, 1862._

SPECIAL ORDERS, NO. 191

The army will resume its march to-morrow, taking the Hagerstown
road. General Jackson's command will form the advance, and after
passing Middletown with such portion as he may select, take the
route toward Sharpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient
point, and by Friday morning take possession of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg,
and intercept such as may attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry.

General Longstreet's command will pursue the main road as far as
Boonsborough, where it will halt with reserve, supply, and baggage
trains of the army.

General McLaws, with his own division and that of General R. H.
Anderson, will follow General Longstreet. On reaching Middletown he
will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess
himself of the Maryland Heights and endeavour to capture the enemy
at Harper's Ferry and vicinity.

General Walker with his division, after accomplishing the object in
which he is now engaged, will cross the Potomac at Cheek's Ford,
ascend its right bank to Lovettesville