The New York herald., 1862-09-16

taking nfty wagons together with about hity prisoners,
and brought them into Chanbersburg.
A dsserter came into Chambersburg last night from
Louisiana regiment represented Longsreet moving
ana that the reby,s had lost for every
cruited. Baltpore company had deserted in . body
Captain Palmer arrived in Hagerstown at O'Clock
p N. to-day and the cavalry who had thor way
out from Harpers Ferry, having hundred and hfty
prisoners and the trains Of Longsrect in the
The OF ammunition and com,nssary stores,
which their way u Wilamsport.
Ore OF tho prisoners reports force surrounded at
Harpers Ferry by jackson with 100 900 men, he did
not towards Western Virginia. but utter ssing the
river went direc, TO Harpers ferry.
man named Fiizhugh resident cf Chanbcrsburg,
and Of the party who captured Captain Cook, is
among the prisoners brought in.
BAIusoRE, Sept. Is. 1852.
The following from the Ao.eran's special
despatch:-
FRIDERCK, Sept l5-2P. NJ.
The news that reached here from the front, coming
through variety OF Sources all agicrosly encour
aging chara cter.
Our troops have been driving the enemy ever since
they left Frederick nsd yesterday fought them for four
hours in general engagement defeated them and sent
them dying in rapid retreat TO get out OF My Mary
land"
The of the fight yesterday upon what called
generally the Scared Mountain" OF the Caiocku range
but on the maps is calei South Mountain.
Our forces Saturday drove the rebel guard out
Of Middcown, our advance halted that night short
distance beyond that village Early on Sunday morning
the onward movement was resumed by General Nc
Cean The rebels were directly in front and retrcatel
slowly, and rcsoiutely contested every loot Of
ground. Up TO about two O'Clock the engagement
was principally with artillery. The rebels placed
their batteries in every advantageous position aud
shelled advance. Our artillery replied, and
the firing at times very heavy; but the advantage
from the higher ground they occupied, being with the
rebels in this artillery practice generals depended
upon their infantry and heavy columns push
cd successfully forward driving the enemy back until
about half the ascent Of the mountain gained In
doing this work splendid dashes made by
troops which Bnrnsidc's and Hocker's corpsormery
McDowers-particularly distinguished themselves.
Between and three O'Clock the rebels we're found
drawn up line OF battle their left covering Turner's
Gap through which the pike Hagerstown passcs and
their left extending to Cromptons Gap. Our right was
led by General Hooker in the advance, with General
Franklin the left and General Burnsdes corps in the
centre. General Hentze.mans corps pressing upon
the and believe, in Some portions
Of II may have participated in the fight.
When the enemy thus drawn up in line Of battle
on their chosen position, the engagement became
general and fierce. The muskery hre, described by
officers wounded the battle here was the most
continuous and sustained Of the 1t rolled rapidly
and ercey from right lett, and back and forwards
with irresistible fury. Our artillery brought splen
didly up, and played It's part, as usual, well.
For two hours this continuous exchange OF mnskctry
and artillery continued until the enemy began show
signs of wavering Our right had been gradually
but surely pushing the enemy crowdmg him toward
"Gap," and threatening his flank.
AT FIVE O'Clock, general charge ordered, and
men, responding willingly and bravey TO the CALL sprang
forward with an impetus that carried all before it.
The rebels fel back endeavorilg again bring their
dsordered columns into line of battle, but failed Wildly
cheering and determined TO win, lines pushed fer
ward, and drove the enemy from point point the
last rays Of the guided the mountain reached its
summit.
the won. and the enemy in rapid and dis.
ordered down the slope Boonsboro The
pursuit continued for miles down the mou untans
until darkness put end TO the troops
bvouackod for the night on the battle field whilst s
pickcts extended three mes forward and beyond
the little village Of Bolivar (not the Bolivar Of Harpers
Ferry)
The rebes left their killed and many OF their
on the 1eld. My informant has knowledge OF the
enemys loss, except whore they engaged immedi-
atey to the right and left and therefore give
ground which they passed thckly with rebel
dead and wounded. In field, where a desperate
stand made there marked evidence Of the
rty with which they had been punished. Our loss
il is believed, is very much less-permps not half that
OF the enemy.
Our men fought the whole day with desperate valor,
which, in battle, often proves that there is safety in
temerty. They literally drove the enemy all The time
giving them no time to rally opportunity recover
and thus kept them at a disadvantage.
Our veterans have added new laurcs those gained
other well fought fields while the regiments did
far better than one would have vcntured to hope En-
thusiasm made up nexpcrencc and they rvalcd their
older companions in arms in the steadness with which
they under dre.
Among our losses we have to lament General Reno. He
was killed by rife ball whilst feeling the position or
the enemy Sunday.
hear Of the loss Of other of general officers
As Of and line officers we have no reports
We have numerous and doubt cxtravagant rumors
here Of the loss Of the enemy.
General Lee In reported killed. and the best part or
Longstreets division captured.
Tracing these reports far as I able. nnd that
General Lee reported by prisoners taken wounded
and say killed General Garland Of Virginia, was
certainly killed or prisoners probably fifteen hundred
or two thousand have been captured, Independent Or
wounded left on the ncld
Some intermittent artillery ring heard early this
morning, but from the general quiet front 1t evident
that no battle in progress to-day.
The reports that tho rebels good use of their
heels during the night and that this morning they were
In rapid retreat toward the river rendering doubtful
whether they would be overtakcn before they had pu,
the Potomac between themselves and Gen. Mcclellan
Much anxiety is felt here 10 learn the condition Of
affairs at Harpers Ferry where u known Gen. Miles
hardly pushed by stoncwall Jackson Capt Cole
sent from there on Saturday night TO communicate
with General McClcllen Through his knowledge Of the
roads he got safely the cnemys lines and met Gen.
eral Mcclellan at Middletown on Sunday. His
report is Il gather IL second hand) that the
rebels on Friday advanced IN such force
on the Maryland Heights, coming up from the that
our people forced abandon the battery there
The retreat was, however, done systematically. The
guns were spiked and then thrown the precipce