Sedgwick  overtook  the  Confederate  rear-guard
at  a  pass  in  the  South  Mountain  range,  but  was
recalled,  and  the  whole  army,  having  rested,
were  put  in  motion  for  a  flank  movement
through  the  lower  passes  of  South  Mountain.
But  the  movement  was  so  tardy  that  when
Meade  overtook  Lee  (July  12)  he  was  strongly
intrenched  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  near
Williamsport,  waiting  for  a  flood  in  the  river
caused  by  recent  rains  to  subside.  While
Meade  was  preparing  to  attack  Lee,  the  latter
escaped  over  the  river.  General  Hill's  rear-
guard had  been  struck  by  Kilpatrick,  aud  lost
125  men  killed  and  1500  made  prisoners.  Kil-
patrick's loss  was  105  men.  Thus  ended,  in  ut-
tt-T  discomfiture  and  repulse,  Lee's  second  for-
midable invasion  of  Maryland.
