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I was the lieutenant governor in Ohio before the war.
My regiment was one of the few veteran regiments at Harpers Ferry during the battle.
Colonel Miles placed me in command of his most important position - Maryland Heights.
My brigade also included troops from New York and Maryland.
I was very ill during the battle - too ill to ride my horse - so I stayed at my headquarters near the Naval Battery.
The fighting began on a Saturday morning on the mountain's crest, so I couldn't see what was happening.
Colonel Miles came over to my position before noon and instructed me to hold on, but gave me the discretion to retreat if necessary.
By late afternoon, I believed our lines had been overrun, and I ordered a withdrawal.
Turned out we were standing firm, but I didn't know that. I was blamed for the disaster at Harpers Ferry and cashiered from the army.
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