The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-30

ON the mountain slope at the left: The
First Brigade of Ricketts, division on
the extreme right, which was about one
mile north Of the turnpike; the Penn
sylyania Reserve corps, the right rest
ing on Ricketts' left; the Second Reei.
ment U. 5. Sharp shooters on the road
branching off from the turnpike at the
right; the Second and Third Brigades
OF Ricketts, division between the branch
road and the turnpike, the right resliag
on the turnpike; General Reno's force on
the extreme left, about mile and half
from the turnpike.
The Sixth United States. Eighth III.
nois, Eighth, Third and Twelfth Penn
sylyania, Sixth New York Third Indi-
ana, and First Massachusetts Cavalry
were on different portions of the Geld
performing picket duty, acting as guards
TO the roads and supporting the batteries.
Up TO this time all our batteries had
been stationed to the left of the turn
pike, as the position secured there enabl-
ed the gunners to work their pieces 10
advantage.
About one hundred yards in the rear
of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was
stationed Captain Cooper's First Penn
sylvania battery of four pieces; Captain
RansOm's Company G, Fifth United States
Battery OF four pieces, took position at
the extreme right, in the rear Of the first
brigade of Ricketts, division.
Immediately after the line Of battle
was formed, the right, left, and centre
commenced moving simultaneously To-
ward the enemy on the slope of the noun
tains The rebels opened on the column
with two pieces Of cannon, directing the
lire OF one TO the right and the other to
the left of the line They were replied
TO by one of Simmons 20. Founders on
our left and Coopers Battery on our
right The enemy continued the firing
for upward of an hour, when, on account
of the severe punishment he was receiv-
ing from our guns, and the near APP
proach of our infantry to his pieces, he
disappeared on the other side of the
mountain.
The enemy's shells, for the most part,
went over the Union troops, consequently
they did not effect much damage
Steadily onward went our long unbrokcn
line of infantry, until the right wing had
gained piece of wood on the mountain,
short distance from the base, when the
Bucktails, who were diminishing ON the
right discovered the cnemy's pickets.-
A desultory firing of musketry was next
heard, which indicated the commence
ment OF the battle on the part of the in
tantry. The column from right to left
still remained unbroken, and advanced
cautiously but firmly up the steep In a
short time the enemy's main force was
encountered, and then came heavy vol
leys OF musketry on the right. The
pennsylvania Reserve Corps and First
Brigade of Ricketts, Division were now
holly engaging the enemy. The rebels
stood their ground for a while, but after
a contest of thirty minutes, they waver-
ed and commenced falling back in dis
order toward the summit of the noun
tains Our forces pushed them vigorous
ly, and kept up continuous fire.
The yalor displayed on this occasion
by the Pennsylvania Reserves, and the
corps formerly under the command of
Mcdowell, is deserving Of the highest
praise. Not a straggler could be seen on
the field. Every man was at his post in
the line. They all seemed determined to
force back the enemy and take possession
of the mountains, in spite of any opposi-
ton that might be placed in their way.
General Hooker, accompanied bv his
stall, was where he always is on such
OccasiOns-at the front. The line did
not give way for an instant, but kept
moving forward and upward, pouring
vollcy after yolley of musketry into the
encmy's ranks, until at last the rebels
broke and ran precipitaiely 10 the top of
the mountain-thenCe down on the other
side.
Reno's corps on thc left did lis part no.
bly,. The men were called upon to do
some severe lighting and they performed
their duty with a will and heroism sell
dom before displayed. The engagement
on the left succeeded that on the right,
and lasted about an hour and a half
The enemy contested every foot of
ground, but eventually yielded it TO the
conquerors.
The center column was the last TO come
into the action. The same success that
marked the advance Of the two wings
also attended the center At six Z. NJ,
after on engagement OF three hours du-
ration, the rebels led, leading the top of
the mountain in the possession Of the
Union troops Darkness prevented MS
from pursuing the enemy further at the
time.
THE RESULT.
The result OF the battle secures 10 the
Union troops a very important position,
inasmuch as II commands the approaches
on each side of the mountain, also a vast
area of the surrounding country. / esti-
mate, as before stated, that two thousand
will cover the list of our casualties
think that the enemy's loss in killed and
wounded will not exceed our own. Alto
getheT we captured two thousand prison
ers
General Reno was killed on the field Of
battle. Al the time Of the calamity, he
was observing, by aid of a glass, the
enemY's movements lie was struck In
the spine by muslet ball-thc ball
lodging in the breast.
Monday mornings corps came
up from Frederick last night During
the night, our forces slept ON tho noun
tain. Banks and Porter's corps are on
the turnpike, between Frederick aud the
mountain. The exact position of the
enemy this morning is not definitely
known 10 as. il is supposed that be has
retreated in the direction Of Hagerstown.
Our forces are now advancing rapidly,
and may possibly oyertake him before
night The troops are in the best Of
spirits WHIT.