The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-02 00:00:00

THE CAPIURE OF HARPERS TERRY.

The New York Times publishes the following
account of the engagements at Harper's Ferry :
" Another serious reverse has overtaken the Na-
tional arms. Harper's Ferry, the Union stronghold
on the Upper Potomac, has been overwhelmed by
the rebel hordes, and on Monday morning, at 8
o'clock, surrendered, after three days' fighting.
What so many feared was successfully accom-
plished ; the heavy siege guns on the Maryland
heights were successfully attacked in the rear, and
we lay at their mercy.
4, A glance at the map will enable us to under-
stand why it could not be held against such power-
ful odds. The village is situated on the Potomac
(66 miles from Washington and 82 miles from Bal-
timore) where it forms a conjunction with the She-
nandoah, those two rivers uniting their energies, as
it were, for cutting a channel through the lofty
range of mountains before them. On the east bank
of the Potomac, which here runs in a south-easterly
direction, are the precipitous Maryland Heights,
thousands of feet high, and consisting of three dis-
tinct ranges, known as,the Elk, South, and Catoctin
Mountains, the two former being more directly op-
posite the ferry. On the right bank of the Shenan-
doah, which flows into the Potomac from a south-
westerly direction, are the famous London Heights,
where the guerilla loves to make his retreat, These
are also very lofty and steep. Clustering around
the base and climbing up the sides of the point
formed by the junction of the rivers is to be seen
the village proper. About three.quarters of a mile
up there is a small valley extending across from
river to river, and on beyond the Bolivar Heights,
which command Harper's Ferry. The Maryland
Heights not only command Harper's
Ferry and
Bolivar Heights, but the London Heights and the
country for miles around. Artillery planted on
them have been known to do splendid execution to
the distance of four miles. A few weeks since four
rebel cavalrymen, who had taken up their abode in
a school-house at that distance, down the valley,
were entirely annihilated bya ball from the heights.
" Being well aware of the strength of this posi-
tion, our forces posted some weeks since two 126-
pounders, one 96 rifled, and four brass Napoleons
part way up the mountain, in a spot which had
been cleared. Recently the clearing had been en-
larged, giving the guns a wider range. These
seven guns were able to keep any force at bay ap-
proaching up the valley, and dismount any
guns rlanted on the surrounding summits. As
Jackson once said, whoever held them successfully
was able to bid defiance to the world. The artifi-
cial defences of the place consisted of a heavy line
of earth intrenchments, with a deep trench in front,
erected on the brow of Harper's Ferry proper, and
extending from the Potomac nearly across to the
Shenandoah. These were built several months
since by 1,000 contrabands in the employ of the Go-
vernment. There were also rude earthworks thrown
up on Boliver Heights last week, designed to pro-
tect infantry in musketry fire. In the event of our
forces being driven from these, it was designed to
have them fall back to the former. On the left of
Bolivar Heights formidable hedge intrenchments
prevented a sudden approach from that quarter.
"About the commencement of the month, Colo-
nel Dixon H. Miles, of Bull Run memory, who
succeeded General Sigel (General Saxton's succes-
sor) to the command of the post, began to appre-
hend a forward movement by the enemy. On
Monday, September 1, the 87th Ohio, Colonel Ban-
ning, was sent down with two howitzers to the
vicinity of Noland's Ferry to prevent their cross-
ing. They took up a position on the Maryland
side of the canal, which runs parallel with the
river. The enemy appeared and succeeded in
crossing, when Colonel Banning destroyed the canal-
bridge, killed five of the enemy, and withdrew
before the large force with no loss. From that
time it was known that the enemy had entered
Maryland, and Colonel Miles began to strengthen
his position at every point, His force consisted of
the 12th New York State Militia, Colonel
Ward; 87th Ohio (three months' regiment),
Colonel Banning ; 126th New York, Colonel
Sherrill ; 111th New York, Colonel Segoine;
Ist Maryland Home Brigade, Colonel lialsby ;
Bth New York Cavalry, Colonel Davis;
Ist Maryland Cavalry, Colonel Russell ; a detach-

went of the Ist Maryland Cavalry (Home Brigade),
two companies of sth New York Artillery, com-
manded by Captains M'Grath and Graham; 15th
Indiana, and one or two more IV estern batteries.
All of the infantry, with the exception of the three
months' men, were raw troops. General White re-
treated about this time to Martinsburg, via Har-
per's Ferry, leaving a portion of his command here.
On Thursday evening, being obliged to evacuate
Martinsburg, owing to the approach of Stonewall
Jackson, the remainder of General White's brigade
fell back to the ferry.
" THE FIGHT OF FRIDAY.

" On the morning of this day the enemy had be
gun to make their appearance, three miles away,
on the Maryland Heights, near Solomon's Gap,
having ascended from the rear. During the week
we had advanced to the extreme top of the moun-
tain, and constructed a barricade of trees 400 yards
in front of what is known as the 'look-out,' and not
far from an open clearing. Col. Ford, of the 32d
Ohio, appointed to guard the heights, desired very
much to make the fight at Solomon's Gap, through
which they would have to enter, believing that he
could hold it successfully. Being, however, over-
ruled in his wish, he deployed on Friday afternoon
portions of his own and the 126th New York as
pickets, under Major Hewett, 32d Ohio, along the
mountain this side of the gap. Skirmishing com-
menced at half-past 3 o'clock, continuing until sun-
down. Owing to the thick underbrush the skir-
mish was of a bush-whacking character, as, indeed,
was all the fighting on the heights. The Garibaldi
Guards, 39th New York, were in the meantime
scouting still further to the left. Under cover of
night Major Hewett deployed his men as pickets
from one side to the other of the mountain, and
then went down to head-quarters to ask for rein-
forcements, believing that the enemy would attack
him in force on the morrow. He was promised two
or three regiments as soon as they could come up in
the morning.
"Few slept that night. At daybreak the line of
battle was formed about 300 yards in front of our
barricade as follows :—Companies K and B, Ist
Maryland Rome Brigade, held the extreme right,
the 126th
New York next in order, 32d Ohio front
and centre, Garibaldia Guard extreme left. The
reinforcements 'were
Rome Brigade
up late, eight companies
of the 3d Ma
ome Brigade not reaching the
field until eight 09al
oek, and the 111th New York
not until near
noon, too late to render any assist-
ance to companies
and H of the Ist Maryland
Cavalry. Russell's
with revolver and carbie7g.hs' advanced on foot,
hand, in front of the
line of battle near to the eilen
peering on the other side, the.yvinfg' The enemy ap-
p back. The rebels
then, about seven o'clock,
with musketry on
the front and right, and made two
in which they were handsomel partial charges,
rellulsed Fight-
ing then became general along the lahol 'line, con-
tinuing one hour. At the end of this time the
rebels were reinforced and advanced 11:ith terrific
yells, at the same time beating the long roll.
The
126th New York then became disorganised, andth
whole line fell back to the barricade, fighting as
they receded. Having reached the barricade, a new
stand was made. Colonel Sherrill, of the 126th
gallantly dismounted from his horse, and with re_
volver in each hand rallied his wavering troops.
The balls fell thick and fast around him, but he
never flinched, calling upon his boys to stay by
him, until he was shot in the mouth by a musket-
ball, and borne to the rear. Two-thirds of the re-
oiment rallied, and fought well during the rest of
the envgement. We maintained our position for
several hour?, Company Kof the Ist Maryland
Time Brigade, with its handful of men, preventing
but, the enemy
a flank movement on the right,
turning our left Bank, we were obliged to fall back
again for some distance. The Bth Company of the
I%l4ryland Home Brigade then coming to the sup-
port, we advanced, re-occupying
Again, however, the enemy succeeded in flanking
u the left, and we were obliged to fall back, first
tos o
the guns, and afterwards down the mountain.
Oar
large guns on the heights commenced

shelling the woods in their rear at 10 o'clock, and

kept it up until half-past three o'clock p.m. (one
hour and 20 minutes after the order to spike them

had been given). They were then (ILmounted,
spiked, and otherwise rendered in effeetiv. Too much
praise cannot be awarded to Capt. al', rath, when

commanding the guns, for the skilful manner in

which he manned them.

A detachment of Fre-

mont's, more familiarly known as jackass' guns,
were taken to the heights during the day, and ren-

dered valuable assistance. They were Manned by
company 1, 12th Regiment New York State Militia.
Colonel Fort, though seriously indisposed, left his

coach repeatedly to go upon the field.
Captain Russell, of the Maryland Home Brigade,
who exchanged the pastorate of the Presbyterian
Church at Williamsport for his captaincy, displayed
much fearlessness and courage, at ,one time mount-
ing the breastworks in full view of the rebels, 'who
were close upon .it. Lieut. St. Clair, company B,
32d Ohio, also exhibited much heroism. First
Lieut. Samuel A. Bares, of the 126th New York,
showed so much coolness while endeavouring to
rally his wavering companions as to attract the at-
tention of Col. Miles. Lieut.-Col. Downy, of the
3d Maryland Home Brigade, was also complimented
by the Colonel for his courage and skill in handling
of the 12th New
his troops. Coporal Chapman,

York, brought down a rebel Colonel. During the en-
gagement the 126th unfortunately fired upon one
another, killing three. By a premature explosion
two members of Captain M'Grath's battery were
blown to pieces. I was standing close by at the
i time, watching the splendid firing of the piece.
God deliver me from ever again witnessing such a
painful sight as those mangled and disfigured bodies

presented ! One lived for several moments, but died

as we were lifting him into an ambulance.
" While several members of company K, Ist
Maryland, were taking breakfast, after the first re-
pulse of the enemy, five different balls struck the
table. W. Henior, of the 126th New York, had his

hat shot off; Gordon Williams, of the 32d Ohio,
had his right lock of hair shot away. A rebel ball
carried away a portion of the gun stock belonging
to Mr. H. Bingham, of company C, 3d Ohio, and

glancing struck W. Koff,s gun, of the same com-

pany.
"At 4 o'clock the regiments retreated down the
mountain in good order, and the Maryland Heights

were thenceforward lost to us.

" Who gave the order for their evacuation I am
unable to say. Certain it is that every soldier was
ready to stigmatise its author, 'whoever he may be,
as a coward or a traitor. And yet it may have
been best under the circumstances. Had more
troops been drawn from Bolivar Heights for the
defence of the large guns our position then might
have been so weakened as to invite an easy and
successful attack from the enemy, who had made
their appearance in that direction in large numbers.
" No sooner had our troops retired to the valley
before the rebels occupied the heights above the
guns and deliberately commenced a musketry fire
upon the village below, which was returned by our
soldiers. A shell from one of our batteries posted
near the bridge, however, caused them to skedaddle
in quick time. Everybody retired that night feel-
ing that all was lost unless reinforcements arrived,
and expected to be awoke on the morrow with the
booming of artillery from the evacuated heights.