Colonel Ford's Abandonment Of Maryland Heights Forced Major Union Surrender To Stonewall Jackson's Confederate Troops

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Union Col. THOMAS H. FORD ordered his men to abandon their position on Maryland Heights during the Battle of Harper’s Ferry in September 1862. This action was largely responsible for the Union’s defeat and surrender of about 12,700 Union soldiers at Harper’s Ferry to Stonewall Jackson’s Confederates. It was the largest surrender of Union troops during the War. Ford was arrested, tried and dismissed from the army. 

Offering General Orders, No. 183, 8 x 10, 2 pp, from the War Department, Adjutant Generals Office, Washington, DC, November 8, 1862, that fully explains the charges, the court martial and removal from the service. 

“By order of the Secretary of War...Court Martial Investigation of the abandonment of Maryland Heights.” The document is signed by E.D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General.

In part, “The Military Commission...is appointed to meet in the City of Washington, on the 25th of September...to investigate the circumstances of the abandonment of Maryland Heights and the surrender of Harper’s Ferry, having resolved that Colonel Thomas H. Ford, 32nd Ohio Volunteers, conducted the defense of Maryland Heights without ability, abandoned position without sufficient cause and shown throughout such a lack of capacity as to disqualify him in the estimation of the commission for a commission in the service. The said Colonel Thomas Ford is, by direction of the President, dismissed from the service of the United States. 

“The commission having reported that the behavior of the 126th New York Infantry was disgraceful and that Major William H. Baird for his bad conduct ought to be dismissed the said Major Baird of the 126th New York volunteers is, by direction of the President, dismissed from the service of the United States.

“The Commission having reported that Brigadier General Julius White, United States Volunteers, acted with decided capability and courage and merits its approbation and having found nothing in the conduct of the subordinate officers calling for censure, Brig. General White and the subordinate officers brought before the commission are released from arrest and will report for duty. “

Folds, light toning.

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