The New York herald., 1862-09-23
HRTfCGLARs OF THE RECENT AFFAIR
:. 49, ACROSS THE POTOMAC.


eHE NrxY ATTAoE Us BEARING HOSPITAL FLAG
AND DRESSED IN UNION SOLDIERS UNIFORM.
SHARPsBuRG, Nd, Sept 2l, 1852
Between eight and nine O'Clock yesterday morning
General Martindale's brigade, OF Morell's division,
Porers corps, commanded by Colonel Barnes, crossed
tho sharpsburg ford, and formed in line of battle
bluff, about quarter OF mile from the ford, and
directly the bank Of the river They had scarcely done
this before the enemy emerged overwhelming numbers
from piece Of woods short distance ahead, and COM
menced CALLING fire Of musKetry. They then advanced
IN close column and the Union roors were ordered not
60 fire, as il own hen advancing. This order
arose from the fact that the ensmy's column was neaaea
by red hospital ag and those in the front ranks mad
the dress the Union soldiers 1t was supposed to be
q party OF mon who had previously gone over the
river with flag OF truce for the purpose OF bringing our
wounded soldiers across who had been made prisoners
by the enemy but when the rebels continued fir ing and
advancing ii became evident that this was heartlesS
ruse invented for the purpose Of dccevng our men, and
enable th IN al the time to approach cnoug
10 their effective, without receiving that Of
our AT last they were recognized, ahd though the
rebels numbered five TO one the gallant fellows re-
turned their fire. and would have met the charge bravey
{thc enemy advancing for that purpose) had not the
regiment which composed the right wing OF our little
force somewhat panic stricken. Even after their
right was exp sea effort mado to recover it and
purpose but before this could the enemy
had turned right and opened CALLING cross re doing
terrible The order to retreat was now given
aud In the greatest disorder and confusion our men started
for the river leaving their dead and wounded behind and
followed BY The c3cmy who shouted and yelled like de
mons, firing rs they They even followed our
into the river, baycnetting and shooting them,
while those the banks continued firing as
long as ou- men were In sight. All the
\ rotnfo oci1o n
return with rs much speed possible as IL was not
known what he enemy might have iu the ncighbor
hood In meantime several batteries had been placed
in position commanding hill on the Maryland side.
and short distance to the lett OF tho b!u near which
our force attacked. Shot and shell reined among the
enemy but this did not deter him from following N his
victory, for while remained in reach of their rifles
they continued g ire Scores Of the wounded and dying
met a waiery grave. AZ large number of our men were
taken prisoro 1t is feared that our shells did moro
har,u among our than to the enemy, while
covering the retreat Of our the Fifteen
were under the arch OF old mill. One of she els
burst in arch, killing and woundng all but one, Id
win Wilkinson, Of Company One Hundred and Eighteenth
Pennsylvania.
There waS no artillery to support tho brigade. The
night previous all had been reported quiet, regiment
having gone the river and returned without having
seen one Of tho rebels 1t also said that regiment
had been carly in the morning, but returned with
out having he enemy. Wo were cngagcd the whole
day sheng the woods the opposite side Of the river
and towards night and to-day fore crossed in large
numbers. Tho enemy doubt satisfied with their
work. have arnarently left the immediate vicinity of tho
river all reported quiet at eleven O'Clock to night
should say that Company E. of the One Hundred and
Eighteenth Pennsylvania, sent out as sksmishsfs
Just as the enemy appeared as stated above
THE SURRENDER OF HARPERS FERRY.
BALnMoRx Sept. %, 1862.
correspondent OF the American states tha. at shaps
burg Friday General McClolien met the guide who
conducted the cavalry from Harpers Ferry and enabled
them escape and capture Iongsrects trnin He com
psnted hin his SERVICE and remarked that r Colo
mel Miles had Ld twenty hours longer he would
have becn able have captured q large portion Of thu
rebcj army.