Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-02
ARKF CoRRsspoNb
Esss the esh Begins -ssrrs.Aer 81
Msrper's Fsrrys-Ths ns6tasnt - 80

we ala not get out IN ueSlraDle manner.
We left Winchester under an order from
the War Department, on very short no.
tice, leaving our sick in the hospital,
and destroying large quantities of commits.
sary stores which we could not bring
away. We left at about IL o'clock in the
night of Sept. Sd, and reached Harper's
Ferry about the next day afternoon.
having marched S2 miles, and being quite
fatigued. sssns 'a'e
Two days after reaching Harper's Fer
ry communication was cut of, and for
II days We heard nothing from the north.
On Saturday the 18th inst, the enemy
appeared on Maryland Heights, and after
a sharp engagement our troops left the
Heights and three batteries, magnificent
ones, were spiked and dismounted. Here
was the b!under, or worse, of Col. Miles
for when we had lost the Heights, we had
really lost everything, and it was only
question of time. The Heights, so termed,
is mountain like that east of Lake Dun
more, rising precipitously and command
ing everything This point should have
i been held, if every man were required to
defend it, and we then could have received
our achievements in season. On the
same day large numbers of the enemy's.
infantry were discovered on the west and
north and batteries on Lcudon Heights,
across the Potomac from Maryland
Heights. We sent them few she'll, but
could do no more, as our force was little
more that 10000, the force above us near
iy or quite ten to our one. To sally out
to attack them was to weaken ourselves
and be cut to pieces. To remain where
We We're, was the only way left, and this
left the enemy at liberty to plant batter
les all around us. . II $3.50. s.eosc ,
a On Sunday afternoon they opened with
two batteries of 10-pound PARROT guns
rom Loudon Heights, sending shell and
shot into our camps. We went over the
hill to escape the fire,--cavalry and in
fantry together, our batteries replying.
No sooner We're we NIGEL y out of fire there,
than battery opened on us from the OPP
posite direction, and we sought a ravine
for protection. About 5 o'clock tidings
were brought that an. infantry force was
approaching from the south, and the 9th
Vermont, Sd Maryland and sd Ohio
went out to meet them. The 9th were
drawn up in the woods, our right support
ed by the Sd Maryland. Firing COM
menced there first, and our right was
drawn out in one terrific volley, which
the rebels acknowledged killed and wound
Cd fFfnne or t~"e-+y, aitl.ouSh suarv1 d
man was in sight. They then forced the
Maryland Sd, and we were compelled to
retire towards our battery to prevent being
fanked and to protect the battery. Here
we lay during the night, and near morn
ing took position about twenty rods south
OF Rigby's battery to support it. About
sunrise the rebels opened upon us with
seven batteries, aud Capt. Rigby replied
IN splendid style, dismounting two guns
In one place, killing some gunners in an
other, and doing good business all around.
After two. hours fire, his ammunition was
exhausted and he hoisted the white flag
and left the fort. During this time the
9th Vermont lay on the ground expecting
an attack of infantry, and with the fire
Of five batteries passing over our heads,
and shell and shot plungng around us on
every side. Il seems singular that no
one was killed, and but two wounded.
AT first the danger seemed imminent, but
soon it became obvious that there were
many places for balls to hit without touch.
ing US. Besides, we were every moment
expecting the enemy's infantry to charge
upon US. Col. Stannard was surprised and
chagrined to see white flag, and the
feeling was shared by all his boys. But
after all, it was the best way. Surround
ed on all sides by force OF from 100000
to 10000, it was folly to waste life when
defeat was sure and speedy. The victo-
rious party was magnauimous no insult
ing language was used; the officers were
allowed their side arms, and private prop.
erty was left unmolested. except some
that was pluudered before guard was
| placed over it. Two teams to regiment
we're allowed US to bring away baggage,
and altogether we were surprise at the
| gentlemanly treatment we received. One
reason was doubtless that they were them.
selves severely pressed by Mcclellan, and
commenced moving away baggage as soon
as We surrendered. 10 come SO near
holding our position and lose it, losing q
splendid victory, was most vexlng to ouI
pride; but sorrow for the great loss to ouI
country WIS the thought uppermost In
every patriotic heart. s.
Col. Miles was hit by canister shot
and l learn died soon after. But he solo
Internationally or otherwise and &
feeling Of hatred exists towards him which
his death cannot remove.
The day after We arrived at Harper
Ferry, Col. Stannard was invite d to lool
over the defences and make suggestions
| la adviSad tn rlonf hottariac IN fho IN.