, 1862-10-04
Rebels Retreatfng.
Dates to Sept. 18th.

New YORK, Sept. 16.-The steamer Champion
from Aspinwall has arrived
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16.-At o'clock Sunday
morning McClellan's army came fairly up with the
enemy posted on the east side Of the Blue Ridge
mountains stretching on a n n.rth and south
from Middletown, on Roge 70 d ie.Jelfer-
son, on the Harpers Ferry road. Our right, un-
der BurnsideS rested in Middletown, and our left,
under Franklin, in Jefferson. A general engage
ment ensued; Mcclellan necessarily attacking
the enemy in their advantageous position. The
battle was obstinately contested until nine o'clock
in the evening, by which time the enemy were
gradually driven up South Mountain, and over
its top into the valley on the other side.
Burnsides held the top of the mountain during
the night At t9A. M yesterday the engagement
had not been renewed.
Firing was heard at daylight by the telegraph
operator at Point of Rocks, who says it was from
the direction of Jefferson, probably an attack by
the enemy on Franklin
Neither Summers corps nor Cours' division were
in the fight on Sunday, although they were doubt
less supporting Franklin yesterday, as they were
in the position for doing so on Sunday evening.
The corps of Fitz John Porter passed through
Frederick yesterday and would arrive on the bat
tie field at noon.
Sundays battle was fought principally with in
fantry and artillery it was almost impossible to
bring artillery into the field in full play. Capt
Gibbons, however, with much labor, succeeded in
getting upon the mountain to the right of infant
ry, and did good execution.
FREDERICK, Sept. 16.-We regret to announce
the surrender of Harper's Ferry, with all the for
ces and stores there, to the enemy, at ga NJ, Mon
day. The enemy commenced the attack on our
forces Friday noon from Maryland Hights, and
Skirmishing continued throughout the day; the
enemy being driven back with much loss The
attack was renewed Saturday, when the enemy
approached with overwhelming force. Orders
were given to spike guns and throw them down
the mountain.
The whole force from the Hights returned to
the Ferry in safety with the guns from camp Hill
using them on the enemy when they attempted to
pursue our retreatng forces.
At noon the rebels appeared ia force on Low
don Hights The Federals sheled them from
point to point, the rebels promptly replying The
cannonading continued throughout the day, and
was resumed on Monday A. M, when the white
flag wss raised. The rebels continued firing three
quarters of an hour afterwards.
Two thousand three hundred cavalry escaped
Sunday night, cutting their way through the enc
my and arriving at Greencastle Penn, with small
loss. The balance of the troops numbering from
5000 to 5000, with Gen. Whites command from
Martiusburg surrendered on Monday afternoon.
One of Gen. Stuarts Aids was captured while
en- route to Boonsboro to announce the surrender
to Gen. Lee. This was the first intimation the
Federals had of it.
Gen. Franklin was within three hours march
of Harper's Ferry where it is said he had been
ordered by General Mcclellan to relieve the be-
leagued garrison as soon as he received the dis
patch from there that the place was in danger.
Intelligence from the front this morning the
10th, is cheering, notwithstanding the bad news
from Harpers Ferry. Monday morning, Gen.
Mcclellan with his reserves and fresh troops, pur-
sued the rebels with destructive vigor. The enemy
took the road towards the river at Harper's Fer
ry and Shepardsvie, Mcclellan following she'll
ing their rear guard When they made stand,
our troops would charge, driving them from point
to point in greatest haste.
The advantage gained yesterday is thought to
be more important than at first supposed. On
Sunday the South Carolina brigade was entirely
cut up, either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.
Howell Cobb was wounded and captured; Gen.
Lee is reported wounded. Gen. Garland was
killed.
Our troops, both old and new, behaved with
great gallantry. We have captured 5000 pris-
oners, with a loss of less than the usual proper
ton of officers.
Mcclellan continued pushing them last evening
and had sent to the rear for batteries.
The rebels are in precarious condition.
CINCINNATI, Sept. 16-It has been ascertained
the enemy is still in position south of Florence,
awaiting reinforcements. Humphrey Marshas
forces have found them.
The rebels bockaded the river nine miles be-
low this city, yesterday but left to-day the ap-
proach of our gunboats.
The enemy advanced yesterday and drove our
pickets two miles this side of Florence.
They seemed disposed to occupy their old camp
ing ground within sight of our lines.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 16.-A dispatch from
Carlisle says communication to Hagerstown is
open again, showing that the place has been to-
tally abandoned by the rebels and occupied by
our troops.
MEMPHIS, Sept. 1.-THE Grenada Appeal Of
the 1Oth says Johnson has been ordered to the
Mississippi Department with Price, McGruder
and Holmes under him.
Dates to Sept. Is.
BooNsBoRo, (Md) Sept 1S-The battle Of
South Mountain Gap, vest erday, resulted in a
complete Federal victory. The battlefield was
located in a gorge of the mountain, on the turn
pike between Middletown and Boonsboro. AT
twelve o'clock, Gen. Reno ordered the ascent oil
the mountain on the left for the purpose of flank
ing the enemy. The battle that followed with
musketry for half an hour was terrible, resulting
in the enemy giving way and leaving our troops
in possession of that part of the ridge. General
Hooker assembled the mountain on the right, get