The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-10-02
CAPTURE OF HARPER'S
FERRY.
Full Particulars by a Reporter on the
Ground. An attack on Maryland
Hights. Details Of subsequent mooe-
ments. The final Surrender.
From the Cor. N. Y. Tribune. |

filct began by an attack on Maryland
lIights, at Solomon's Gap, and in the
rear from Pleasant Valley. Capt. Cole
who was thought to have been cap
tured, came in from near Fredrick.
He reported but few of the enemy near
that place, but had ascertained that a
force of 100000 bad been left in Pleas
ant Valley this force was to be divi
ded into two columns one Of 90 OOC
was to attack Maryland Hights, the
other of like numbers was to cross the
Potomac, occupy Loudon Nights, and
pass around TO our left. This story
which at first was sat down as one Of
the magnified rumors, soon found con
tirrnation in the reports received from
Maryland Hights that the woods were
swarming with rebels, and from our
left that our pickets along the Shen-
andoah to the Ualltown road had been
compelled to retire from an advance
movement of The enemy. The sharp
crack of rifles at first heard from the
other side of Maryland lights grew
nearer and nearer as the enemy were
pressing our troops back. A detatch.
ment of the seth n. Y. under Major
llildebrent, had already been sent over
to reinforce Col. Ford, and some light
mountain hOwitzers were also taken
over. The rebels continuing to push
our troops with vigor, the l26th n. Y.
were o dered over to their assistance.
The Maryland boys, while on picket
duty, had succeeded in making quite a
strong breastwork of logs, and this
proved the salvation of the men and
the battery below /; for, forced TO retire
before superior numbers, our troops fell
back behind this barrier, and poured
voliey after volley upon the advancing
r bells, compelling them to pause m their
rapid advance, aud effectually check
ing their progress. The companies at
Solomon's Gap was alsnpressed closely,
and retired, under orders, to cone ell
trate above and around the battery.
The rebels followed them up rapidly,
and pressed into the woods in their rear,
around the angle of the mountain.
Cap. McGrath, at the battery, had been
waiting expectantly, watching tho first
appearance of secesh within his circle,
and flash from one of his NapOleons,
followed by two reports and puff of
white smoke from the woods which
they had dared to invade, told the story
for them. Another and another report
followed in quick succession, and that
flank movement was failure. Quite
a skirInish occurred upon the top of the
hill, at the observatory, where our boys
repulSed the rebels handsomly, although
they were afterward forced to abandon
the position. The rebels, finding the
old roads and paths effectually block
AIDED, had begun emitting a new road
through the woods, and were plainly
seen dragging cannon up the rough
way. Night put an end to the conflict
in the woods.
In the direction Of Sandy Hook and
Petcrsvile the rebels also show ed in
f"rce, increasing in force, as night
approached, and, fearful that the
small body of our troops there might
he run over by the masses of rebels,
preparations were made to withdraw.
Capt Potts placed two of his guns in
position under the hill, to cover the re
treat, and Capt Graham, on Camp Hill,
also brought one of his guns to bear in
the same direction. Our troops fell
back i'm good order, and immedi atey
after, the enemies cavalry appeared on
the crest of the hill some two miles
down the road. Capt. Potts cOmpli
menipd them with salute of two shell,
and they quickly disappeared.
Meanwhile, some anxiety was felt as
to Gen. White aud his brigade. The
cars sent up the night previous to Mar
tinsburg, to bring down his tents bag
gage, etc, had returned, and ambulan-
ccs had been arriving with the sick and
wounded. Col. Davis, with the 9Th
N. Y. cavalry, had been sent out early
in the morning to cover the retreat, but
no advices were received from him.
1t was known that the enemy's advance
was within six miles of his position al
daylight, and his march was to have
commenced at O'Clock a. m.
About noon stragglers came in, and
reported his fore at Kearneysville at
o clock. In the afternoon came rumors
that he had been attacked and was
still fighting. These'rnmors were dis
PEELED by the appearance of the general
and ..staff, and shortly after his troops
marched in and camped on Bolivar