New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-27
The Engagement Of Frnnitlin's Corps-Thc
Fight Mt Crnmpton's Gap-A Desperate
Encountcr Crowned with . Union Vic
tory-FrnnkIin's Opportune Reinforce
ment Of mcCIciian-How the PrOclamn.
ton IL Received.
From Our Special Correspondent

ment Of mcClciian-Ilow the ProcInmn.
ton IL Received.
From Our Special Correspondent
WmLIAMsPoRr, Md, Sept. "a, 1862.
In the rush Of events during the past two weeks,
and in daily contemplation of one Of those great
battles which WA to determine the life or death Of
this Republic brilliant engagement under Gen.
Franklin, and Of the most decided victories OF
the war, was lost sight Of, and many Of the brave
men who fought and won, but died upon the battle
field, have hardly been mentioned, and the battle
pas ed by az @ simple skirnsh. 1t will be re-
membered that on the Saturday preceding the
battle a. South Mountain, the corps Of Gens.
Hooker, Sumner, aud Reno passed througi
tie City Of Frederick aud took their posi-
tons 10 be ready 10 advance, as Gen. Mcclellan
should order, along the old National Road To Wheel
ing. On Saturday evening Gen. Burnside received
orders to push the corps Of Gen. Reno in front ns
far as Mddle,own. This was accomplished with
but slight resistance from tie enemy. During tue
night Of Saturday and on Sunday Gen. Hooker fol-
lowed, and arrived at Turner'S Gap in time to par
ticipste in the battle at that point, aud to decide
the day in our favor. Gen. Sumner reached
the base of the South Mountain on Monday
morning and Immediately took the advance
in following up the reireating Rebels. In the
mean time, where was General franklin
Since leaving Washington bis position bad been upon
the extreme left. lie bad followed the line Of the
Potomac and Rugged its shores closely. On Saturday
he gained Sugar Loaf Mountain, surrounded it with
bis cavalry cleared it Of Rebels, aud from a Rebel
sgusl station changed it into lookout for our
signal corps. Leaving Sugar Loaf Mountain on Sun
day morning lie passed through the small village Of
Burkeuville aud had advanced but "A mile before lie
came in contact with the enemys pickes At the top
Of the South Mountain range and near Crampton's
Gap. The enemy was strongly ntrenched at the
base on tie sides and in strong force with iniantry
behind the Mountain. Howell Cobbs division of
u 900 held the Gap. Eight pieces ofartlery planted
high up on tie slope Of the Mountain Immediately
Commenced firing upon our most advanced division,
under the command Of Gen. Slocum. Gen. Socum's
Division consists Of three Brigades under the COM
mAnd Of Geus. Barilei, Torliu, and New'on. The
entire divisios formed in line of ba,tle and
dered to advm up tie eide Of the Mountain and
take the batteries. The Brigades Of Gems Bartlett
and Torliit had advanced but short distance before
they came tuder Gre q the enemy concealed 10
strong force behind high stone wall, running along
the base Of tie Gap. At this point desperate fight
occurred, and " was nearly hour from tie time
tie Gri. 30, VA lred until the Rebels were seen
hying from the charge Of the New-Jersey Brigade
Of Gen. Torliu and tie Brigade Of Gen. Bartlett
Once routed tho Rebels did not stand egain
until they gained the cressNof the Noun
tain. When there they turned and prepared to hold
our advancing oolumn at bay. But up the steep
mouni.in rushed the gallant New-York, New-Jer-
sew, and Pcnusylvania bows. led by both their Di-
vision and Brigade Gcueras The top Of tie monn-
tain gained smother fierce struggle eusued; but the
enemy finally gave way and rushed in great disoder
down into the valley beyond leaving Ia our pos
sessisn 400 risoners thee regmental colors, two
piece, Of artillery, and ,, 600 Springfield rifles The
ri1es are nos ased by the New-Jersey brigade in
place Of the muskets hey carried before.
In this battle d Champions Gap our loss, sccord.
ing to the OF aal report, is lOj killed AID AS
wounded; 10 missing. The loss II the enemy was
over 900. Gen. socum told ne to-day that tho
dead upon the battlefield Of Aniietam nowhere lay
90 thick a. behind Tie stone wall at Cnmpions Gap.
This victory a. Champions Gap was also important
in its relations TO the battle Of South Mountain.
Both battles were fought aud both victories won
tic same day and almost within the same hours.
WIS present at the battle Of South Mountain, AID
saw how magnlhoenlly all Of our troops behaved,
and the great obstacles they had 10 overcome, bls
from all 1 can learn the hardest handto-nand
fighting WA al Champions Gap. At South Noun
tain almost two eutre Corps were engaged.
at Champions Gap, but Gen. Sloeums division cup
ported, but which was not in tie fight, by Sniitts
diviiion. Both gnls were about equally important
Us strategic points. by gaining Cfauptoms Cap,
Gen. Franklin was enabled 10 arrive on the battle
ground Of Autetam and re-euiorce Gen. Mcclellan
IT The very moment he WE most needed. No one
vi o witnessed tia, babe copd have failed TO seo
tow great tho setv.,o aud how splendid the fighting
of Gen. Smiths division IL ruohed into ba tie AT er
Il c decinhted aud bleeding rAnAs OF Gen. Sumner
fell bach. Indced, the prompt arrival of Gen. Frank
lin upon the battle ground almost saved the day for
ur. doubt very much whether there was an in
partial witness on the grouno who would have ssic
II d,y was ours until the charge male by Gen.
Smiths division. Hooker ana Sumner were about
gone snd burnside Lad all he could attend to.
Franklin relieved item all, and kept the enemy from
conce ntra,ing bis strength uron litter wing
Gen. Stuart still lioe in front Of WIlIiamsport.
Two or three shell have been drown over to him, 10
make him acquainted with the fact that we ire here,
but nothing further Of belhgerrnt character has
rraDspircd within two or tlrte days. The Rebel
ricl,ts are upon the most cordial terms with us. No
firing ID permitted either side and all I'M ercourse
IL of The gentlenauy aud courteous character.
The Rev. Mr.. Brown Of Uagerstown, who was
taken prroner teveral days since by Gen. Stuart,
WAS yesterday released, upon very strict parole.
Ia conversation with him lat right learned that
C.t, Smart con -lders the lte hattie a victory for