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E.O. Beers
The Folwell letters, June 26, 1863, afternoon entry: "It is an old story to see the Army cross"
10 July 2017 Craig Swain American Civil War, Edwards Ferry, Engineers	50th New York Engineers, E.O. Beers, Joseph Hooker, Mahlon B. Folwell, Martin Van Brocklin, William W. Folwell
Looking at the pace, progress of the crossings at Edwards Ferry, the flow of troops on June 25, 1863 was not sufficient given the critical operational situation. The three corps which crossed that day – the Eleventh, First, and Third, in that order generally – did so with delayed progress. Not only delays as the engineers placed a second bridge, but the units making the crossing brought their own delays… not the least of which were the additional horses brought by the Eleventh Corps. And we see the rains, which were recorded by Captain William Folwell's letter of the day, which caused the Third Corps much misery as the crossing and march into Maryland continued into the early morning hours.
By contrast, June 26 was a flood of men and equipment. Although on paper, again only three corps crossed – the Twelfth, Fifth, and Second, in that order. Add to that movement the Artillery Reserve, Army Headquarters element, and the majority of six corps worth of wagon trains. The march must have seemed endless to any eyewitness. And Folwell was just such an eyewitness. Just after noon on June 26, he resumed writing a letter home, this being a post-script to a letter written the previous evening:
P.S. June 26th, 1863, 1 P.M.
The letter I wrote last evening must lie over till tomorrow as we can only send and receive a mail on alternate days. We get our mail at present by the little steamer packet which runs on the canal from Georgetown to this place. To-day we have a fine misty rain, falling steadily, which keeps all of us not on duty under cover. I have written you a short letter and would have done you a long one if the Major ([E.O.] Beers) and some of the other officers had not come in and spent a large part of the forenoon with me. The 12th Corps had crossed this morning and the troops of another, (I think the 2nd) have just appeared on the opposite hills. Gen. Hooker and staff came over just before noon and followed the advance of the Army. We have yet no information as to the destination of the forces. Gen. Hooker seemed anxious to have the wagon trains hurried up and commended on of our officers (Capt. [Martin] Van Brocklin) whom he saw moving them on. I have not been out of camp to-day. It is an old story to see the Army cross, for me. Bain [Lieutenant Mahlon Bainbridge Folwell] is well and full of business as both adjutant and Quartermaster of detachment. I hope his troubles are over. We shall know soon, for Hdqrs. left Washington yesterday and will probably reach here to-morrow.
Though just a brief addendum to the letter, there are many observations which match well into the narrative of the crossing. The time line given by Folwell is consistent with that of the official reports. The mention of a misty rain is duly noted. Furthermore, Hooker's concern, clearly recorded here by Folwell, about the wagons and further delays, should receive a highlight.
On a lower level, we get a small glimpse into engineer operations during a crossing. There is much "just wait, watch, and stand ready" for them during such a crossing. As Folwell said, "an old story" by this point in the war. It is significant that Beers spent time at Folwell's tent during the morning. I've always felt, based on comments by other officers, Beers was the type of leader to be at the most critical point. And Folwell's place, on the Maryland side of the crossing, would be that critical point – should repairs be needed, another bridge be required, or yet another set of orders come down.
We often associate the C&O Canal with mule-drawn boats. But steam-powered boats were operated, as the C&O Canal Association reminds us.
Poor Mahalon, though. His "troubles" were that of additional duties. Presumably, those would be over when the main body of the 50th New York Engineers moved up from Washington. A small, personal aspect of the crossing which would probably have escaped record, had we not consulted Folwell's letters. Later in the evening, Folwell would start a fresh new letter, offering more observations on a most active day at Edwards Ferry.
The Folwell letters, June 25, 1863, evening entry: "I wish you were here to see the Army cross. It forms a splendid spectacle."
14 June 2017 14 June 2017 Craig Swain American Civil War, Edwards Ferry	50th New York Engineers, Charles Turnbull, Daniel M. Hulse, E.O. Beers, Myron A. Mandeville, William W. Folwell
In the last entry of Captain William Folwell's letters that I transcribed was an entry from the morning of June 25, 1863. As we well know, that date held significance at Edwards Ferry, being the first day of the Army of the Potomac's crossing. A third of the army marched over the bridges laid by Folwell and his fellow engineers, with the stream of men continuing into the night and early morning hours.
The first, brief, entry from Folwell on that day alluded to the Eleventh Corps moving up to the bridge and, erroneously in my opinion, the crossing of some reserve artillery. But that entry was cut short. Folwell had work to do. And he provided some details of that work in an evening letter:
June 25th, 1863, 6 P.M.
You must excuse the appearance of this, as of most of my letters. There is a fine misty rain falling, and the air is so damp as to thoroughly moisten my paper. I have my desk again and my tent. This morning, Major [E.O.] Beers arrived from Washington, having Co. H and 72 Pontoon Boats and the necessary appendages. About 10 A.M. he ordered me to take my Co. and Co. H. and take ½ of the material and begin laying a Bridge from the Va. shore. Cos. F and C began from the Md. shore. At three P.M., we had a fine bridge over the Potomac, just below Goose Creek….
Circling back here for context. On June 24, the engineers were ordered to place a second bridge at Edwards Ferry. But, not knowing exactly where that was needed, the officers in charge of the site sent requests for clarification to Army Headquarters. Receiving no instructions, Beers decided to place the bridge downstream of the mouth of Goose Creek, meaning it was downstream of the first bridge so as to not interfere with ongoing operations. Captain Charles Turnbull made a report of this at 11 a.m. that morning. If Folwell's time is accurate, Beers probably started necessary actions to build the second bridge an hour earlier.
Folwell's command (Companies H and I, of note) worked from the Virginia shore, somewhere near where I took this photo:
You see the boat ramp on the Maryland side to the left of frame. Just to the right of frame is the river lock, which Folwell and others used to aid movement of the pontoons. This "spit" of ground into the river is a typical feature you'll find downstream from a confluence, formed as the currents form eddies as they join. While we cannot say that spit was there in 1863, such a formation would be the natural location for the landing of a pontoon bridge.
Beers reported the bridge complete and in use by 2:30 P.M. that day. But I would give Folwell the grace of a half hour. The bridge might have been in use, but many small chores remained for the engineers to "tie down"… literally and figuratively.
Continuing this entry, Folwell recorded the order of march:
As I wrote you this morning, the 11th Corps crossed to this side. The 1st (Reynolds) followed. The 3rd (Sickles) was ready to use our new Bridge. The 2nd, 6th, and 12th are still in Va., but will probably follow the rest of the Army. The Corps which have crossed have taken the roads up the River. I wonder that the Army did not attempt to cross above the Monocacy. It is possible the Rebs. hold that region. However, we can get to Harper's Ferry very near as soon from this point and if Hooker wishes to occupy Frederick, this is the better and safer route, and I wish you were here to see the Army cross. It forms a splendid spectacle….
And this, we find, is very accurate in regard to the crossing order. His speculation about crossing at Monocacy feeds into one of my ongoing lanes about the choice of crossing sites. But, having discussed that already, at least in part, let us move forward.
What do engineers do when a bridge is in use?
When the Bridge is down, we have only to take our ease until the Army is over, and then comes our work. Capt. [Myron A.] Mandeville, a QM of Brigade, 1st Corps, has just called on me. He used to keep Franklin House in Geneva and was familiarly known by the habitues as "Mandy." What our next move will be, I can't even guess at. Hooker's Army may be beaten and driven in to Washington, or may be victorious and follow Lee to Richmond. Let us hope and pray for victory. Jim, who comes today, announces supper. Well we had supper, Boston crackers and tea, butter and some stewed prunes. We had a late dinner and did not care for more. Mr. [Lieutenant Daniel M] Hulse has command of the guard on the bridge tonight. It is raining hard and he will have a hard time of it.
With the time to spare, we find Folwell's closing thoughts of the day were towards a future outside the army. And, recall, he was a college teacher by trade:
Just a week tonight since we came up here. My paper is fairly wet, however this is the last sheet. I rec'd a fine, long, glossipy letter from A.S.W. this morning, full of college news. He says Havanna Coll has rec'd a very large endowment and thinks it likely that there will be my best stepping-stone. I am very thankful that I am independent just now of all colleges and seminaries. It is true distasteful as it may be to you that I do not have my old relish for books and book knowledge. I will only use a book and get some information for present use. The Peoples Coll. endowed largely, under Dr. Brown, will be a great institution, and be largely useful. It will not be distinctively religious, although not by any means irreligious. The time has passed when any merely religious college can be great and – Monks and priests do not now hold the keys to knowledge. Indeed, they possess a very small share of really useful information beyond their professional lore. Colleges must educate for the bar and the farm, for the shop and the field, and must leave to the theological schools the training of the clergy. We must have the fossils ousted at Geneva before that college can flourish. There are only two, three with Mr. — fit to teach young men. All the rest are doing harm; they are making one-sided men. I think I would not take a place under Jackson, and beside Metcalf, Towler and Bates. Spite of many faults, while the War goes on as now, we have only to wait and hope. Just now, I had rather go to Venice than anywhere else, if I could be sure your health would not suffer. They write me from home that Father has been delayed in getting workmen to repair the house. I hope they can ask you to come at a time convenient for you. If not, you will appreciate the reason.
There is much here that I am ill-equipped to provide context, particularly the names of fellow instructors. The reference to Havanna College may be a school in the Cincinnati area. Of course, Folwell taught there briefly after the war before moving to the University of Minnesota. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this passage is the insight into Folwell's approach to the profession.
But, as my focus is on the military operations at the crossing, I circle back to that opening line in the passage – "Just a week tonight since we came up here." Folwell and his fellow engineers had left Washington, D.C., using the C&O Canal, on June 17. They spent most of the time between that transit and June 25 simply waiting on orders. Such is the nature of an army on campaign. And I ask, why is it we only focus on the battles?
The Folwell letters, June 25, 1863, morning entry: "We are to lay the other Bridge here…."
31 May 2017 31 May 2017 Craig Swain American Civil War, Edwards Ferry	50th New York Engineers, 9th Michigan Artillery, E.O. Beers, John Davidson, Julius Stahel, Oliver O. Howard, William W. Folwell, Youngs Island Ford
Captain William Folwell provided two entries for June 25, 1863. The first was early in the morning, and apparently written as an addition to the June 24th letter:
June 25th, 7 A.M. Lt. [John] Davidson brought this letter back to me, having met his Co. on the way up. We are to lay the other Bridge here and not at Monocacy. The reserve artillery crossed here last night, and the 11th Corps is coming now. All bound for Harper's Ferry, they say. Must get breakfast now and then to work. We expect mail today.
Brief, but alluding to a couple of points in the larger story of the crossing at Edwards Ferry. And June 25th was a busy day at Edwards Ferry, to say the least.
Let us focus on what occurred between midnight and 7 a.m. on that day:
Sometime after midnight: Major-General Oliver O. Howard, then at the Virginia side of Edwards Ferry, receives orders to cross the Eleventh Corps the following morning.
3:45 a.m.: Eleventh Corps breaks camp.
5 a.m.: Major E. O. Beers, 15th New York Engineers, arrives at the Maryland side of Edwards Ferry with equipment to lay a second bridge at that point. But the engineers are still unsure as to where the bridge is needed (upstream or downstream of existing bridge?).
Between 6 and 7 a.m.: Orders issued to most of the Army of the Potomac to move towards Edwards Ferry for crossing. This included the Artillery reserve which was at that time near Fairfax Court House.
And… not until 10 a.m. did a response come down from Army Headquarters providing clarity to the question about bridge placement.
I think, given what we know of the "big picture," 7 a.m. was an important point on the time line. Troops were beginning to move towards Edwards Ferry… lots of troops. A second bridge was about to go in the water. And all sorts of things would be in motion from that point. But at 7 a.m., things were paused… perhaps stalled… as all these components were breaking the resting inertia. Those orders trickling out of headquarters were the force to break that inertia, setting things in motion.
One unit that was already in motion which I did not mention above was Major-General Julius Stahel's cavalry division (not officially at that time, but soon to become the 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps). Stahel's command returned from their picket lines on June 24 (generally on the Bull Run Mountains, for brevity here). The division was immediately ordered to cross the Potomac and march for Harpers Ferry and support the garrison there. Their assigned line of march was across Young's Island Ford. But this is where the time line for them gets muddled. Likely, Stahel's troopers did not reach the ford until the morning of June 25. At which time, they found the ford impassible for the entire column. At most, some of the troopers crossed. But the wagons along with the 9th Michigan Battery, which was assigned to the division, had to cross elsewhere. From dispatches on June 25 and subsequent days, it is clear Stahel's baggage train didn't cross with the command (and added to the traffic problems at Edwards Ferry… and to the logistic problems in Maryland). The only real accounting of their crossing comes from Major-General Hooker, indicating "General Stahel crossed the river this morning near Edwards Ferry…." Of course Young's Island Ford was plenty near Edwards Ferry, so this is not a precise description.
I bring up Stahel's cavalry here in an attempt to reconcile a discrepancy between Folwell and the dispatches in the Official Records. Small discrepancies in a short passage, but some that need be addressed. We have Folwell's mention of the Reserve Artillery. There is a mountain of evidence indicating the Reserve Artillery did not arrive at Edwards Ferry until the evening of June 25. The artillery crossed the following day, following the Fifth Corps.
So what was the artillery Folwell mentioned? It is unlikely any of the reserve batteries were detached at that time, as we have no record of such. More likely is that Folwell, having enjoyed a good night's rest, was simply passing along what came to him in conversation… in other words – rumors. Something with horse teams and wheels crossed that night, but it wasn't the Reserve Artillery. I would hold out the possibility that some other artillery crossed early in the morning of June 25. The most likely candidate would be the 9th Michigan Battery, assigned to Stahel. And such would confirm my long standing assumption that a substantial element of Stahel's command actually crossed at Edwards Ferry that morning. But, if I had to bet on this, my money would be on Folwell repeating rumors.
The most important part of this passage, however, is mention of the bridge to be laid. Folwell, writing at 7 a.m., knew a bridge was to be laid. But neither him or any other engineer at Edwards Ferry, at that time, knew where the commander wanted that bridge to be laid. And bridges, once laid, are difficult to move. Sort of a "you only get one shot to get it right" situation, with the entire Army of the Potomac due to arrive on the Virginia side looking for a dry crossing to Maryland. More work for Folwell and the rest of the engineers on June 25. And he would relate that in his second installment for the day, which we will look at next.
(Citations from William Watts Folwell, Civil War Diary, unpublished, transcription retrieved from University of Minnesota Library, pages 417-8 (pages 423-4 of scanned copy))
Marching Through Loudoun: June 25, 1863
25 June 2013 Craig Swain American Civil War, Edwards Ferry, Leesburg, Northern Virginia, Potomac Crossings	Army of the Potomac, Charles Turnbull, E.O. Beers, Edwards Ferry, J.E.B. Stuart, John Reynolds, Joseph Hooker, Julius Stahel, Oliver O. Howard, Robert E. Lee, Winfield S. Hancock, Youngs Island Ford
Days ago I wrote that the Army of the Potomac entered Loudoun County on June 17 at the end of a pivot maneuver that oriented the army to the west. On this day (June 25) in 1863 the army began another pivot. This move would not only turn the army to generally face northwest (or north if you wish), but also put the army over the Potomac. The story of that maneuver started on June 25 and ended on July 1. I'll cover that move through June 28, as it leaves Loudoun.
At midnight June 24, the army retained the "Bull Run-Catoctin" line, but had the Eleventh Corps prepared to move over the Potomac.
The weight of reports coming in from Pennsylvania clarified the situation for Major-General Joseph Hooker. The Army of Northern Virginia was indeed heading into Maryland and Pennsylvania in strength. Instead of a small raid, General Robert E. Lee now mounted a full scale invasion. The great battle of this campaign would not occur south of the Potomac, and the Army of the Potomac had to move north. The line along the Bull Run and Catoctin Mountains was no longer needed.
Just after midnight, Major-General Oliver O. Howard, Eleventh Corps Commander, finally received the orders to cross the river and move into Maryland towards Middletown. Behind this, Hooker put in motion over half of the army and adopted the "wing" arrangement which he'd derided the previous winter. Early in the morning, to Major-General John Reynolds he instructed:
Assume command of the Third and Eleventh Corps, with your own. They are all under orders to cross the river to-day. A brigade of Stahel's cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, is ordered to report to you. I wish them to seize Crampton's Pass, and the one through which the National road passes, Turner's Gap, to-day, to be supported with a brigade of infantry and a battery as soon as they can get up. My advices of last night inform me that the rebels do not hold them. General Stahel should be at Young's [Island] Ford early this morning. The movements must be rapid, the troops to move in the direction of South Mountain Pass.
Later, at 7 a.m., orders to Major-General Winfield S. Hancock in command of the Second Corps put his command in motion towards Edwards Ferry, but with an intermediate stop at Gum Springs (which the Third Corps left that morning). At the same time, orders put the Reserve Artillery under Brigadier-General Robert Tyler on the road from Fairfax Courthouse towards Edwards Ferry. And shortly after those orders, Hooker passed instructions to Brigadier-General Samuel Crawford to put his division of Pennsylvania Reserves on the road. General Slocum, in Leesburg with the Twelfth Corps would prepare to move.
By day's end, these movements put three infantry corps and a cavalry division across the Potomac, more or less. The map below depicts those movements (and note that I've removed the Engineer Brigade and 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry for simplicity here):
My attempt here to depict the movement of the units, the morning location is shown in gray, with blue lines and arrows showing the general route of march. The blue unit symbols depict the general locations in the evening. Notice the arrival of Crawford's division (Third Division, Fifth Corps, though not officially as of this time in 1863). That division arrived at Fairfax Station and Vienna on the evening of June 25.
That's the simple version of the day's movements, suitable for the large scale studies. In earlier postings, I've broken this day's crossing down incrementally, so please consult those maps for the crossing sequence. But four story-lines emerged during the day to overshadow even the size of this grand movement – bridge placement, congestion, Confederate cavalry, and rains. Let me address each in brief.
As I closed with yesterday, the engineers had orders to place a second bridge at Edwards Ferry. But they had no instructions as to where to place that bridge. The previous evening Captain Charles Turnbull asked headquarters for guidance. At 5 a.m. Major E. O. Beers, who'd arrived with the 15th New York Engineers, also inquired as to where headquarters wanted the bridge. But no answer came. By mid-morning, troops were on the first bridge (which, recall was placed above the mouth of Goose Creek on June 21), but the second bridge, desperately needed to speed the movement, was not in place.
Angrily, army headquarters inquired about the reasons for the delays. At 11 a.m., Turnbull responded, "having receive no instructions, I have put the second bridge on the south side of Goose Creek." Furthermore, with all the barge traffic on the canal, the bridging equipment arrived late, at around 10 a.m. Turnbull and Beers related that construction had started shortly after the boats arrival and they were working quickly to complete the work. By 2:30 p.m., Beers reported, "The second bridge is completed and in use…. The bridge was put down in three hours. It consists of sixty-five boats." (Notice the second blue line at Edwards Ferry representing the second bridge.) Shortly after completion, troops were moving on it. Still, from the headquarters perspective, the delay cost some five hours.
Having only to form up the troops and march the short distance to the first bridge, Howard had started crossing his corps at 3:45 a.m. But even with that early start, the Eleventh Corps would not clear Edwards Ferry until well into the afternoon. Even then, straggling wagons interrupted the flow. The traffic problems were due to a number of issues. Certainly the single bridge contributed to the congestion. At the same time, Howard's corps showed up with an excess of horses (see the remarks about horses from the earlier post). Officers and orderlies leading individual horses slowed the pace of the crossing. And of course, as the quartermaster complained the previous week, the Eleventh Corps had too many wagons.
Adding to this congestion, a portion of Major-General Julius Stahel's cavalry division made their crossing at Edwards Ferry. While some of the troopers crossed at the assigned point – Young's Island Ford – the division trains and at least one brigade crossed at Edwards Ferry. The congestion at the bridge and in Maryland, snared Stahel's wagons. His division would be short of supplies even as they raced for the South Mountain passes.
Another factor adding to the congestion was the road network on the Maryland side. From the crossing site, most units had to move to Poolesville on a single road. Sending units down the canal towpath relieved some of the congestion. But with mixed results. This issue had no direct solution and would remain a problem for the next few days.
With the Army of the Potomac astride the river, there was ample opportunity for the Confederates to strike and disrupt, if not damage, the Federals. But the Rebels made only one significant appearance during the day. As the Second Corps cleared out of Thoroughfare Gap and Haymarket, Major-General J.E.B. Stuart slipped through nearby Glasscock's Gap (see the yellow star on the map). After throwing a few shells at the column, Stuart sparred with the Federals. In response, a brigade of Federal cavalrymen rode south from Aldie to escort the infantry. Both sides avoided enlarging the fight and disengaged. While the Federals were slightly delayed, Stuart's time line was irreparably damaged.
While the Federals marched on June 25, rains began to fall again. The rising river hindered crossing at Young's Island Ford. It also added mud to the already congested roads. As the Third Corps moved across in the evening, they were directed to use the canal towpath. So on the Maryland shore the corps made a left turn and marched up between the river and canal. Their miserable march continued until the early hours of June 26, ending near the Mouth of the Monocacy.
As June 25 came to a close, Hooker issued orders for continued movement. He would cross the Potomac with everything under his command. Readers should note, the first three infantry corps across the Potomac at Edwards Ferry just happen to be the same three corps which Reynolds moves up to Gettysburg on July 1.
(Citations from OR, Series I, Volume 27, Part III, Serial 45, pages 305-6 and 311.)
24 June 2013 Craig Swain American Civil War, Edwards Ferry, Leesburg	15th New York Engineers, 50th New York Engineers, Alexander Hays, Army of the Potomac, Charles R. Lowell, Charles Turnbull, E.O. Beers, Edwards Ferry, George Stannard, Goose Creek, Henry Benham, Henry Slocum, John Abercrombie, John Newton, Joseph Hooker, Oliver O. Howard
Today (June 24) in 1863, from his headquarters at Fairfax Courthouse, Major-General Joseph Hooker forwarded an assessment of the situation to Major-General Henry Halleck in Washington. He dismissed any Confederate advances into Pennsylvania as only for "plunder," and something best confronted by the militia. In Hooker's estimate, no other troops, save those of Lieutenant-General Richard Ewell's Corps, had crossed the Potomac. Lee had over-extended, or so Hooker felt. And Hooker was seeking out an advantage:
General French is now on his way to Harper's Ferry, and I have given directions for the force at Poolesville to march and report to him, and also for all of Stahel's cavalry, and, if I can do it without attracting observation, I shall send over a corps or two from here, in order, if possible, to sever Ewell from the balance of the rebel army, in case he should make a protracted sojourn with his Pennsylvania neighbors.
If the enemy should conclude not to throw any additional force over the river, I desire to make Washington secure, and, with all the force I can muster, strike for his line of retreat in the direction of Richmond.
But Hooker still had not found the opening he wanted. So for another day the marching in Loudoun remained limited. As indicated with his report, Hooker ordered Stahel's cavalry division, which was for all practical purposes now the third division of the Army of the Potomac (for simplicity I'll show that on the map now), over the Potomac in the direction of Harpers Ferry. And as mentioned in the close of yesterday's serial, he also ordered Eleventh Corps to move that way.
On the other end of the line, Hooker effectively broke up the division of Brigadier-General John Abercrombie. One brigade of the division, under Brigadier-General Alexander Hays, reported to Second Corps. The fresh Vermont Brigade, under Brigadier-General George Stannard, received the assignment to First Corps. Another brigade had orders for Twelfth Corps, but lacked sufficient service time to make the march worthwhile. Replacing Abercrombie's division at Centreville, Major-General John Newton's division from the Sixth Corps moved down from Germantown. (You'll also note I've split out the divisions of the Second Corps on today's map.)
Also on June 24, a battalion of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, under Colonel Charles R. Lowell, moved to Poolesville with orders to picket river crossings from Great Falls to the Mouth of the Monocacy. They replaced the troopers of Captain Samuel McKee, previously posted at the Monocacy.
But the "big" move of the day was Eleventh Corps. As ordered Major-General O.O. Howard received marching instructions at 9 a.m. (again, the delay in communications because of multiple telegraph, wig-wag, and courier exchanges) and started his men towards Edwards Ferry. But even before they marched, their orders to cross the river changed. At 7 a.m. Captain Charles Turnbull at Edwards Ferry was ordered to meet Howard and instruct the Eleventh Corps to camp at the bridges, "and not to cross without further orders." Howard arrived around 1 p.m.
Brigadier-General Henry Benham of the engineers continued his disagreement with headquarters into this day. If the dispatch of the previous night was not enough, he repeated his frustrations at 8:45 a.m. He had 300 engineers of the Regular battalion at Edwards Ferry. Another 360 of the 15th New York Engineers were at the Monocacy, waiting bridging equipment. At the Washington Navy Yard, he held 135 men to repair equipment brought up from the Rappahannock and 250 more of the 50th New York Engineers. Benham wanted to remain in Washington, with those 385 men, to supervise the repairs, which he estimated would take a week. Headquarters agreed to continue the repairs, but still ordered Benham to the field at Edwards Ferry.
At Edwards Ferry, one bridge remained in place, with supporting bridges over the canal and Goose Creek near the mouth. One problem facing the engineers was the heavy wagon traffic which was damaging the bridge. Turnbull requested replacement planks and other timbers. Those were acquired from the apparently well stocked Navy Yard and forwarded up the canal.
Also on the canal was another set of pontoons was headed up the canal to the Mouth of the Monocacy and the 15th New York. But orders issued mid-day changed those instructions. The second bridge would go in at Edwards Ferry, near the first. And Major E.O. Beers of the 15th was ordered to Edwards Ferry to put the bridge in place.
Why the change? Perhaps a series of reports from Major-General Henry Slocum that morning. The Twelfth Corps commander reported the presence of 6,000 Confederates moving east from Snicker's Gap and reaching Hamilton, just over the Catoctin passes from Leesburg. Follow up reports placed Lieutenant-General Longstreet himself at Round Hill. If true, the Confederates might attempt to push Twelfth Corps away from the fords. And of course Hooker didn't want to hand over a pontoon bridge, at such an advanced position like the Monocacy, to the Confederates.
Lending support to my guess, Hooker also issued orders for the Eleventh Corps to prepare to support Slocum in Leesburg, and not cross over the Potomac. At 6:00 p.m. Slocum requested that Howard's Eleventh move to the north side of Goose Creek (over the span at the creek's mouth) to better support him in Leesburg. Instead, at 7:30 p.m. Hooker ordered Howard to "guard the bridge and depots at Edwards Ferry, on the north side of the Potomac at that place." But that order stood for four hours. At 11:35 p.m. yet another change ordered Howard to instead, "take up the line of march early to-morrow morning for Sandy Hook, in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, reaching that place to-morrow afternoon."
Meanwhile, the engineers at Edwards Ferry sat on an unanswered question. Captain Turnbull addressed this directly to Major-General Hooker at 5:15 p.m:
Which side of Goose Creek do you wish the second bridge – north or south? The present bridge is on the north side of Goose Creek, with one bridge over Goose Creek at its mouth. Please answer at once.
That question would linger through the night and well into the next day.
(Citations from OR, Series I, Volume 27, Part I, Serial 43, page 55; and Part III, Serial 45, pages 279, 287, and 290-1.)