The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-09-26

to New York World. The battles OF
South Mountain Gap and Burkettsville
Gap, fought respectively by forces of Burn
side and Franklin on Sunday, the enemy
having been driven from their position, fell
back rapidly to Boorsboro' thence south.
ward to Sharpsburg, and began crossing
the Potomac above and below Sbepards-
town. The pursuit by our troops was rapid,
Hooker following by way of Boonesborough,
supported by Sumner and Banks. The
enemy breakfasted at Keedysville, three
miles from BOonesborough but our cavalry
soon drove their rear-guard from that place.
Porter's and Reno's corps took the short-
est road over the mountain, and arrived at
Sharpsburg at sundown, capturing hun"
dreds of prisoners on the way.
Franklin's corps, supported by Couch
division, passed through Burkettsvlle Gap
which he captured so handsomely, striking
the road leading directly from Boonesbor-
ough to Harper's Ferry, and thence moving
in the direction of the latter place, gaining
Ella Ridge Mountain, which hanked the
enemys position, and brought them within
good range OF our artillery.
Franklins corps fought brilliant battle
on Sunday evening, at Burkettsville Gap.
The enemy were terribly repulsed, although
they had great advantages OF position.
Hancock's brigade made charge up a
hill, and captured battery OF six pieces.
Howell Cobb and 900 of his Georgians,
together with the 10th Virginia regiment,
were taken entire. We have also captured
fragments of many other regiments.
On Sunday, Longstreet marched back
from HagerstOwn to reinforce the troops
fighting at the Gap. He arrived in time to
join in the rout.
We have taken, since Friday last, about
6,000 prisoners, with less than the usual
proportion Of officers.
The mountains are full of Struggling,
starving, demoralized rebels, who are giving
themselves up as fast as they can find their
way into our lines
On Thursday last, jackson crossed the
Potomac at Wiliamsport, aud marched to.
wards Harper's Ferry, which place ne in
vested on Saturday. He captured Mary
land Heights on the north, aud Loudon
Heights on the south side OF the river.
On Sunday he attacked the Ferry, but
was repulsed.
On Monday morning, at daylight, he res
newed the attack, and the place was sur.
rendered by Dixon III. Miles at o'clock.
This disaster will enable the rebels to
cross the Potomac with a greater proper
tion of their forces.
Yesterday evening, previous to the re-
ceipt of this news, Mcclellan and Burnside
were actively making such disposition as
would have resulted in the complete defeat
or capture of nearly the entire rebel host.
Our troops pressed their rear hot!y last
evening, and the prospect was most brill-
ant until we learned that Harpers' Ferry
was no longer ours, the enemy having got
mainly across the river and into a strong
position.
4 great battle will probably be deferred
several days, until new combinations of
movement is resolved upon.
The Unien army is in splendid condition,
the men all in light marching order, with
buoyaut spirits over their successes.
Several regiments Ct new troops were in
the fight on Sunday, and behaved with
great bravery.
Our total loss will not pr0blby exceed
$500 killed and wounded, with a very
small proportion killed. ] can learn of few
field officers killed. The death of General
Reno is mourned throughout the whole ar
my.
The churches in Middletown and Freder.
ick are to be occupied by the wounded.
FREDERICK, Sept. Is, 2 p. Our loss
at Harpers' Ferry is light, less than 200
killed and wounded. The forces captured
were the 87th, Goth and 32d Ohio; 9th Vt;
39th, 10th, l26th and 18th n Y. State
Militia, an Indiana battery, besides Md.
home brigade.
Heavy fighting is going on today in
Pleasant Valley, north of the Ferry.
New York, September l7.--The morns
ing papers contain nothing additional to
what was telegraphed last night, with the
exception of the following Washington
despatch to the Herald:
The following important intelligence, just
received, puts new phase upon the con-
duct of affairs at Harper's Ferry, and
shows that although there has been no di-
rect intelligence from Mcclellan tosday, the
enemy are evidently panic-stricken, and un-
willing to await the approach of his victo-
rious arms, even in strong position, where,
by dint of overwhelming numbers, the
small garrison under Miles, and which was
compelled to surrender after nearly three
days hard fighting, and after Miles had been
seriously wounded and incapacitated for
further participation in defence of his posi-
ton.
Ipformatirn is telegraphed tonight from
the Herald correspondent at Frederick.
An officer who has just arrived from
Harper's Ferry reports that the rebels had
evacuated the place in great hurry. They
are sending everything across the river as
fast as possible. They left Harper's Ferry
in such great hurry they had not time to
complete paroling prisoners, and number
were Internationally released in conse.
quence.
HARRIsoxBURa, Sept. 16.--[Special dis
patch to the New York Times. We have
just received tidiDgs. of the two portions of
the rebel army having united on this side
of the Potomac, numbering, it is supposed,
10000 men.
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