The civilians would have lost them.
At Williamsport, Lee halted and drew up his army in line of battle. The
Potomac, swollen by rains, presented an impassable obstacle.
Meade, following slowly, was met at every step by Stuart's cavalry; but
finally faced his adversary.
Every thing presaged a great battle, and Lee's cannon from the hills
south of Hagerstown laughed,
"Come on!"
But General Meade did not come. Lee, standing at bay with the army of
Northern Virginia, was a formidable adversary, and the Federal
commander had little desire to charge the Confederates as they had
charged him at Gettysburg--in position.
Day after day the adversaries remained in line of battle facing each
other.
Lee neither invited nor declined battle.
At last the Potomac subsided: Lee put his army in motion, and crossing
on a pontoon at Falling Waters took up his position on the south bank
of the river.
Stuart followed, bringing up the rear with his cavalry column; and the
whole army was once more on the soil of Virginia.
They had come back after a great march and a great battle.
The march carried their flags to the south bank of the Susquehanna; the
battle resulted in their retreat to the south bank of the Potomac. Thus
nothing had been gained, and nothing lost. But alas! the South had
counted on a great and decisive victory.
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