The national Republican., 1862-09-17

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TIE POsTTIoH. -
At this present writing, not much is known
Of the fighting Of Sunday beyond what was
contained in the dispatches Of General Nc,
Clellan. Those dispatches, as our readers re-
collect, gave nothing but the general facts
that our forces had carried certain heights
upon which the enemy bad made stand, and
that It was discovered, the next morning, that
be had retrcsted during the night. Of losses
upon either side, General Mcclellan said very
little, for the reason, doubtless, that the re
ports Of our generals engaged in the battle
had not then been made to him.
The Baltimore american, upon the author.
ity Of private sdvices, says that the battle
" lasted nearly the whole day, the contest be-
ing to drive the rebels from the mountain
heights which command the Hagerstown
road at point between Middletown and
Boonesboro."
It also speaks Of it as the battle which was
to decide the fate Of Western Marylsnd. We
do not understand things at all in that way.
On the contrary, it appears to us nothing
more than a contest resulting from a stand
made, ct an advantageous point, by the rear.
guard Of a retreatin8 army.
On the next day, Monday, according to the
kilograms from Harrisburg, Gen. Longstreet
was at Boonesboro' with thirty thousaud men.
Hagerstown was not occupied by the rebels,
but bya small force of Pennsylvania troops.
These Harrisburg kilograms give really all
that is known, at this present writing, o. to
Hsrpers Ferry. Prisonen and deserters from
the enemy, say that it was reported in their
army that Colonel Milcs surrendered on Mon.
day morning. The firing there ceased at nine
O'Clock on Monday morning, but according To
other accounts, was heard again on Monday
evening at six o'clock. From what b known
Of the urgency Of Colonel Miles for reinforce.
ments, it is greatly feared that be must sue.
cumb before be can be relieved.
Our neighbor Of the Star thinks that the
question Of the escape Of the enemy depends
upon the fate Of Hsrper's Ferry. It docs not,
either according toany maps, or to any reason
ing which seems at all plausible The enc.
mys rear is entirely open. If be is hard
pushed, be must lose u great many men, but
the bulk Of his army will certainly escape, uu.
Iess something happens not now to he aptici.
pated. But there is reason to hope that be
will be forced into such preeipitste retreat
as will demoralize and disorganize him.
Stocks rose yesterday morning two per
cent in New York, and gold fell two per
cent, as a consequence Of the good news.
Later in the day, there was some reaction
and heaviness, in consequence Of the non-re.
ception Of later news from the scene OF &C.
ton.
The demand is universal, that our success
Of Sunday, greater, or less, shall BE- followed
up and made useful Not only ought the
enemy to be driven pell-mell out of Maryland
and up the valley Of Virginia, but his return
TO Richmond should be rendered impossible
by an advance upon the Virginia Central
railroad, or by seizure Of Richmond itself.
Our forces are abundant and superabundsnt.
Let US have now action and energy. Strike
while the iron is hot. On to Richmond
Our victory at Mumfordsvillc, KY, of
which we have now fuller accounts, appears
more decisive and glorious than at FIRST, which
has not been the case with all our victories.
The enemy was repulsed with great slaughter,
by force not half so large as bis own.
The enemy in front of Cincinnati is report.
ed to have advanced two miles. When he
gets ready, let him advance two more.
P.S. See our telcgrapbic dispatches ccived
late last evening.
We hear also the following from very
high source:
The last dispatch from Gen. Mcclellan was
dated at sharpsburg, at balf:past seven o'clock
yesterday morning. lie had then got up with
the rear guard of the enemy, but could not
commence an attack until the fog cleared
away
Gen. Franklin is believed TO have crossed
the Potomac yesterday above Harper's Ferry,
and to be moving down upon Harpers Ferry
on the Virginia side
1t is still thought that Miles command has
been compelled to surrender. Col Miles was
wounded badly and is believed TO be dead.
The enemy was 10 force yesterday near
Drainesville, in front of Sigel.
Gov. Curtin telegraphed here yesterday that
Gen. Mcclellan would make complete rout"
Of the enemy, and that ten. burnside had re.
'aken Hsrper's Ferry,
There is evidently a good deal Of fog" at
,ther places besides Shsrpsburg.
The better opinion still is, that the bulk of
lhe enemys army will escape into Virginia.
A QUERY.
To Tho Editor 0t lhs National Ieepubitcdn
SIR: How would II affect the social position
oi any one doing q prominent and successful