Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-17
A DAsHINs BAYoNET CHARGE.
The REBELS IN FULL RETREAT, AMI
COL, 6EARY'S FORCE IN HOT
PURSUIT AFTER THEM.


Last night, at half past ten, the War Depart
ment received per telegraph a copy Of modes
dispatch from Colonel Geary to General Banks
announcing that he had Just routed large body
Of the enemy, and stopped In the pursuit only tc
take time to write that brief announcement on ,
32pounder tfor table, that an instant before fel
into his hands
Atasubsequent hour the following dispatch de-
seriptive Of the battle was received by the Gov.
eminent here, from Gen. Bank headq uarters.
Col. Gsary's overwhelming defeat Of the en-
envy, outnumbering him six or eight to one, az
they did, doubtless grew ont Of the fact that bis
Position-Bolivar Heights. immediately in the
rear OF Herper's Ferry-is a remarkably strong
one aud the further fact that the infantry of the
attacking force were Virginia militia pressed into
the service.
The Col. Ashby reported killed, Is Col Turner
Ashby, Of Fsuquiet reported to be the best cav.
airy omcefjn the oligarchy's service
tbs evident to US that their pressed troops had
TO heart in the battle, and only fought under the
cnnpulsion. Of Ashbys cavalry
Such results are but the beginning Of the RAP
1dly-approaching end In Virginia.
The following is the descriptive dispatch re-
ferred to above:
bARPER's tERAI, Va, Oct. 16, 1s6I-The
battle fell was at Bolivar Heights, near Harper's
Ferry, where $50 Of Col Geary's force, with three
pieces Of artillery, were attacked by the rebels,
5000 strong, iHcluding 500 cavalry.
They had pye .xtiIr..-
LATED eight hours. Our loss was four killed
one mortality and eight slightly wounded. One
corporal missing
Colonel Geary not only repulsed the enemv and
held bis position in spite of tremendous cannon.
ade from flank and front, and well-directed at.
nehs OF infantry and cavalry, but drove them by
impetuous bayonet charges for three miles, and
took % FOUNDER Columbisd and considerable
summation, at the point Of the bayonst.
Thefseel loss 10 at least $50 killed and wound.
ed. Rebel Colonel Ashby reported killed. Three
rebel prisoners captured, among whom IL the
Chaplain Of one Of their regiments
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ACCOUNT OF
The FIGHT AT HARPER'S FERRY.
BALTIMORE, October IA gentleman from
near BsrPer's Ferry furnishes the particulars Of
the fight between six companies consisting of
parts Of the Twenty nth Pennsylvania, Third
Wisconsin, and Thirteenth Massachusetts, Regi-
pents, under the command Of Colonel John w
6esry, and three thousand rebels.
Early Yesterday morning the rebels showed
themselves on Bolivar Heights, at Harper's Ferry,
and commenced an attack with artillery upon
taree companies under Msjor J. p. Gould, sta
TONED on the north side Of Potomac A constant
IRE was kept up for some hours, when three CON-
Paniesoffhe Third Wisconsin Regiment crossed,
Termed into line, and drove the enemy back and
succeeded in capturing one of their heay guns
They were, however, compelled to retreat, but
In good order, to the river, where they were rein
forced by three other companies They then,
with Col Geary at their head, marched upon the
eHsmy, and after hard nghtng, drove them from
their position and recaptured the gun, 32-poun-
der, ColumbIad.
Our forces had but three pieces of artillery and
there were fred from this side Of the river. until
the enemy retrested. The enemy had seven
pieces, and ave hundred Cavalry together with
lnfsnty.
The enemy was completely routed and driven
beck some three miles.
Our los In killed and wounded in not over
seven; that Of the enemy Is at least one hundred
.ad fny.
Colonel Ashby, who was at the head of the
enemy, 10 among the killed