, scarfed and stained huge boots, and shabby
forage cap. The surrender was unconditional. Formalities over, there
followed some talk, a hint on the side of the grey of generous terms,
some expression on the side of the blue of admiration for great
fighters, some regret from both for the mortal wound of Miles, the
officer in command. Stonewall Jackson rode into the town with the
Federal general. The streets were lined with blue soldiers crowding,
staring. "That's him, boys! That's Jackson! That's him! _Well!_"

Later A. P. Hill came to the lower room in a stone house where the
general commanding sat writing a dispatch to Lee. Jackson finished the
thing in hand, then looked up. "General Hill, the Light Division did
well. I move almost at once, but I shall leave you here in command until
the prisoners and public property are disposed of. You will use
expedition."

"I am not, then, sir, to relinquish the command to General Branch?"

"You are not, sir. Battle will follow battle, and you will lead the
Light Division. Be more careful hereafter of my orders."

"I will try, sir."

"Good! good!--What is it, colonel?"

"A courier, sir, from General Lee."

The courier entered, saluted, and gave the dispatch. Jackson read it,
then read it aloud, figure, mien, and voice as quiet as if he were
repeating some every-day communication.

ON THE MARCH, _September 14th_.

GENERAL,--I regret to say that McClellan has, in some unaccountable
fashion, discovered the division of the army as well as its objectives.
We have had hard fighting to-day on South Mountain, D. H. Hill and
Longstreet both suffering heavily. The troops fought with great
determination and held the passes until dusk. We are now falling back
on Sharpsburg. Use all possible speed in joining me there.

LEE.

Stonewall Jackson rose. "General Hill, arrange your matters as rapidly
as possible. Sharpsburg on the Antietam. Seventeen miles."

CHAPTER XLIII

SHARPSBURG

"Sharpsburg!" said long afterwards Stephen D. Lee. "Sharpsburg was
Artillery Hell!"

"Sharpsburg," said the infantry of the Army of Northern Virginia.
"Sharpsburg! That was the field where an infantryman knew that he stood
on the most dangerous spot on the earth!"

Through the passes of the South Mountain, over Red Hill, out upon the
broken ground east of the Antietam poured the