be less exposed, but from which position he could continue to

maintain the break in the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and push

reconnoitring parties through Smithfield to Charlestown. These

reconnoitring parties exhibited considerable boldness at times, but

since they had no purpose in view save to discover whether or not we

were moving, I did not contest any ground with them except about our

outposts. Indeed, I desired that Early might remain at some point

well to the north till I was fully prepared to throw my army on his