Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-26
The Engagement near Harper Ferry.

The Engagement near Harper s Ferry.
We have information that the enemy evacuated
Harpsr's Ferry on the night of the 10Th iust after
burning the foundry at the Gulf Mills and retrea.ed
to the Maryland side. 4 Eounteer who particips-
ted in the late engagement under Colonel AsBBT,
furnishes the Richmond Dispatch the sgbjoined &C
count of that sffair:
"On the anniversary Of Browns raid, l65h Of Oc-
toser the gallant and brave Colonel I. Ashby, with
about 800 cavalry and 100 mill ia, GniaEtry) and
two pieces Of artillery, marched down the turnpike
to what has been called Aolers hill (BOw the School
house hill) where the enemy had pCkets the day
before. They fell back II they were there when
company of cavalry, mmlnded BY CaptliHs Hin-
field and Baylor, wheeled the right. and another
company wheeled to the left, commanded by Capts.
Mason and Glenn. 4 company Of infantry from
Rockingham, Ass went to the right. Thus in
order they were 20 crcss valley about one
mile wide, and ascend sseep hill or noun
tain called Allston's hill, On which we're two
forts or batteries Of large pima. logs, con
structsd Ey the Yankees IS their 1lirg
point of defence Our two cannon fired several
rounds al them, they answering our FIRE, when the
daring Col. Ashby. with his cficers and m,n-miii
tia, infantry, AID cavalry, made gilan. and bold
charge sCF3sz the valley and m long anl steep
hill in the face Of tie eCey, snl ul-=r tteir Ere.
The Yankees gave way, le4YiEg ...rs 'gruiastiJls
for shelter in the houses at Bolivar ana iiasPeTs
Ferry That charge for the CIstzlce Of near cae !
nile UP the hill. must have been 3 grIad move 70
test tae yllOr and courage OF the troops. Il was
equal % aDy e4,s.se n history. The oilers and
men pressing up the mGUata,a, driving tire enemy
before thsm from their strJns fGrl-ay4-.gaG, was
grand sight
"Tso writer (sixty years Of age wss with the .
cavalry that EiG--a ID the riEh-, with company Of
infantry from Rockingham We crossed the valley
to the railroad at Reyes switch GsPCt then on to
the heights, aud thence with cavalry All the CON-
paGy OF iHfsntry, descended tie m ul-lIa TO the
railroad through tie narrow pass at Ellls falls 70
the Gulf mills; then up tGe glI road IN the noun
tain to Bolivar. We captured scme e:tsans OF The .
hills giving signals to the enemy, and drove n
body of plckets
"On resching the open ground Of Bolivar, 10 the
rear of the Cneuys Notifications, we expected 70
cut of their retrest 10 the ferry, bat were dIsap-
poiEts&. IEey we're On their retreat, With Colonel
Ashby's column siseT Ikem, when our cavalry or
lered a charge. and such a sa9gs vent uP! Away
they dashed after the Yankees uL Ter c EeGEE IRE
from their infantry, the 6alla passing u5 WITH
most singular sound-musia Iaat ] never heard be
fore. Near by Col. Ashby artillery, with the
infantry in Striiers field both sides n:nZ Constant
y. After 6le hours engagement the fire ceased
and the enemy returned our LET'S hinN, north Of
Bolivar. The infantry formed meas TIE bresstaOrks
a the woods, and when the enemy lett their sEcter
e the houses and advanced on cur force, severe
Engagement, tie heaviest firing OF the day, CccEred
Dur men must have thi4nea tteiF ranks. as they /
retired second time. just then lgit nay horse g
lid in conveying the wounded from the G=li. I /
IA persons Psssi1g with blankets, costs and caE5
'idge-boxes LEI: by the enemy; and along sss1le :
y1ung Mr. Penny 5scker with prisoner ne bad esp
ured il Smadw0Jd'5 fell. | next met peFsOus
sesralg ai.ar roTns man wounded in the Leg also 4
prise ! Z 80 s5r's heard that there were b
bout tssa.y as Of il5eaemg Eil.si besides the
ysuat-d. q
AT this time the artillery opened oa lis ea5s,y
rom the L0ui.uI Mountain, bat again ceased q L
kcztsEace, when II was evident ths enemy had il
zen reinforced either By the railroad iryu ohs p 4
erGst0wH or SAaEpsllrg. The balls and bOubs
a,sed over sGd tel around u e. - rJys rate, Z
nd the outsiders. lesEiEg OF, CJmm-ucsd hasty &
etreAt. This had bacd effect, n1krC the G.tiL!e
y horses hard to manage; indeed, one team was 2
unnIrg at lg-se think in iutnre, all persons not
active engagement shogld be excluded from the Il
icnity Of army or column OF attack Our only Il
s was one noble soldier, from Woodstock, klile- E
nd ten wounded l lock At it a miracle or won b
arfui inteTpOsitOn Of Divine Providence that more q
ere no: killed or wounded. We had 10 leave or a.
rga cannon, which broke down on AigtOt's Hul.
lst below the enemys battery. As the eIcmy had c.
7ideEtly been reinforced they pressed foowsfd "
hen our troops retired to GOlers HILL where they al
rmad in line and let them hear from our artillery 81
several rounds, when they ceased firing for'the fo
ght. hi
Don't fail to read On fret and fourth pages. tn