Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-09-26
sEIGB or HARFRR'S FERRY.
Interesting Particulars.
Ninthvermont deploy as skirmishers.

Upper Potomac, hat bee overwhelmed by the febc
cd af,er three days fighting What many feared was
successfully accomplished the heavy siege guns on me
Maryond heights successfully attacked 10 the rear
and We Law at their mercy. The village IA situated
the Potomac t6d miles from Washington aud ~ miles
from BatmoreD where Il forms conjunction with the
Shenandoah these rivers uniting their energies
h were for cutting channel through the lofty range Of
mountains before them On the east bank Of the Poo-
mac which here In southeasterly direction,
the pteciptous Maryland Heights, Thousands Of feet
high and consisting Of three distinct ranges, known
the klk, South and Catooun Mountains The two former
being more directly opposite the ferry. On The right
bank Of the Shenandoah. which flows into the Potomac
from southweslcry direction, the famous Loudon
Heights, where the guerrilla loves TO make his tet'at
These also very lofty and steep Clustering around
the base aud climbing the sides Of the point oImed
by the junction Of the rivers, Is TO be seen the village
proper. About hfce.qurtcrs u mile mp there rs
su,s valley extending from river TO rye and ON
beyond the Bolivar heights which command Tia pefs
Ferry. The Maryland Heights not only command Haf-
pcs Ferry and Bolivar Heights but The loudon Heights
and the country fof miles around ARTILLERY planted on
them have been known TO do splendid execution 10 the
distance Of four miles. few weeks since four rebel
cavalrymen who had taken up their abode in scho De
house at that distance, down the valley were entirely
annihiated by ball from the Heights
Being well aware Of the strength Of this position our
forces posted weeks since, two 2J FOUNDERS one
90 rihed, and four brass Napoleons part way up the
mountain in spot which had been cleared, Recently
Tange These seven guns able keep any force
bay approaching up the valley and dismoqnt any guns
planted the surrounding submits. As jackson once
said whoever held them successfully was aue 70 pa de
haucc the world Tho artificial defenocs Of the place
consisted OF heavy line OF entertainments. with dccp
trench in 'front.' erected on the brow OF Harpers fety
proper and extending from the Potomac nearly across TO
the Shenandoah These built several months since,
by LOO oontfabahds IN the employ Of ne so'eihmenL
There also rude earthsorks thrown up on Bolivar
Heights last week designed to protect infantry IN mus
kctry fire. Ia the forces being driven from
these it was designed have them fall back 10 the for
mcr. On the left OF Bolivar Heights, formidable ledge
entertainments prevented sudden approach rom that
quarter
About the commencement Of the month, Coz htNon
II Miles Of Bull Run memory, who succeeded Gtncta
SAY % hN
post, began 10 apprehend forward movement by the
enemy. On Monday, Sept l. the oI'h ONO was seat
down with the vicinity Of Foaud tcry
60 prevent their crossing They took position On the
Marya size Of the canal which runs PARALLEL with the
river The enemy appeared and succeeded Ia crossing,
whom Col. Banning destroyed the canal bridge, killed
i've Of the enemy aud Withdrew before the large force
with no loss. from that time II known that he enc
my had entered Maryland, and Col Miles began 10
strengthen his position at every point IL, force con
sisted Of the llth New York o7ih Ohio l35h aud IN
n York. lst Maryland Home Brigade, sth Neg York
Cavalry LIST Maryland Cavalry, detachment of LIST Ma
laud Cavalry, tIlome Brgade) two companies of
sch New York Arti cTy 10Th Indiana, and one or two
moro Western batteries. All Of the infanuY with the
exception Of three mOntha men, were raw iroops Gen
White retreated about this time MartiusbuTgh via
lorpers Ferry leaving portion Of his command here
On Tours, evening being Obliged To eyaeutte Mar
unsbngh, owing TO the approach OF Stonew.l Jackson
remainder OF Gen. Whites brigade fell back 70 the
rus rIGHT OF FRIDAY.
On Zoe morning Of this day, the enemy had begun to
make their appearance, three miles away, on the Mary
land Heights, SolomOns Gap, having asocnded
Tom the During the week had advanced to the
top Of the mountain, and constructed barncade
u trees four hundred yards in front Of what is known
the look out" and not far from an open clearing Col
foid Of the SD Ohio, appointed guard the Heights,
desired very much make the fight SoIomon's Gap,
through which they would have to enter believing that
be could hold it successfully Being, however oyerruled
in his wish he deployed Friday afternoon portions Of
hi, and the l26h New York pickes, under Maj.
iewett, along the mountain this side Of the gap Skr-
mishng commenced at about L. continuing until sun
down Owing the thick underbrush, the skirmish
of Misunderstanding character as, indeed was All me
lighting on the Heights. The Garibaldi Guards, S9th
New York, were in the meantime scouting still further
the left. Under Of night Maj Hewett deployed
his pickes from side TO the other of the noun
tain aud then down headquarters to ask for rein
0fcements, believing that the enemy woald attack him
in force the morrow lie promised two or three
tcpiuenS soon they could cue up IN the morning
Few slept that night Al daybreak the line Of battle
fifred about 800 yards In front Of our hArcAdc.-
The we're sent up too late TO render any
assistance " Russelts Roughs" advanced on foot with
revolver and carbnes in hand in front Of the line Of bat
tie near to the clearing, The enemy appearing on the
other side they fell back The rebels then, about seven
Oo ck opened with musketry the front and right and
male partial changes in which they were handsome
ly repulsed. Fighting became general along the whole
lne continuing hour. At the end Of this time the
rebels received renfDcements and advanced with terrific
y,ls at the time beating the long roll. The 10th
New York then became disorganized and the whole ne
fell back the barcade, fighting as they reoeded HAY
ing reached the barricade, new stand was made Col
Sheriff. Of the 10th, CALAMITY dismounted from his
horse, and with revolver in each hand raying his
srng troops The balls fell thick and fast around him.
but he hnohed calling upon his boys TO stay by
him, until he was shot In the mouth by musket ball,
and bufne 10 the Iwo-thirds OF the regiment raj
lied and fought well during the rest Of the engagement
We maintained our position for several hours but the
enemy turning le flank, we were Obliged TO fall back
again for some distance The Eighth Company Of the
Maryland Home Brigade then coming to the support
advanced, reocoupyng the lookout. Again, however,
the euemy succeeded ia thanking ON the left and we
Obliged TO fall back hTsl to the guns aud aitefwad
down the nain.
Capt Russell, Of the Maryland Home Brigade, who
exchanged the pdsorate Of the Presb terrain Church At
Whamsport for his Captaincy display ed much fearless
and courage at one time mounting the oreastwork
~ full view Of the rebels, who close upon 1t Lieut.
81 Clair, Company b. SD Ohio, also exhibited mucl
herosm. LIST Lieut. Samuel A. Bares, Of the 10th Ne
Ioik, showed so much GOODNESS while endeayoring Il
rally his wAvering companions, as to attract the aen
ton OF Col. Miles. Lieut. Col Downy, Of the Sd Mary
land Home Brigade also eompimentcd by the Co
lnue for his courage and skill in handling his troops
Corporal Chapman, II the 10th New York, brough
down rebel Colonel During the engagement the l26h
unfortunately fred upon one another, killing three b
premature explosion. members Of Capt MeGfath'
Battery blown 10 pieces. was standing close b
at the time watching the spending firing Of the piece
God deliver me from ever again witnessing such pair
f sight as those msnged and dishguTed bodies pIeseu
ed One lived for several moments but died az We WEI
lifting him into an ambulance.
While several members Of Co. X, lst Maryland wet
taking breakfast after the frat rPul;e Of the enemy ~
different balls struck the table. W. Honor Of the 1861
New York had HE hat shot of Gordon Williams
the SD Ohio, had his right lock Of hair shot away
rebel ball carried away aporton Of the gunslock belong
ing NJ. II. Bingham, Of Co. G, "a Ohio, and glauenl
struck W. kof gun, Of the same Company
At O'Clock the regiments retfeated down the mouI
tain in good order, and ihs Maryland Heights wei
thence forward lost Who gave the order Tor the
evacuation. unable TO say Certain II is that
soldier ready stigmatze its author, whoever b
may have BEEN coward or traitor. And yet Il ma
have been best under the circumstances. Had ma.
troops been drawn from Bolivar Heights for the defen
Of the large guns position then might have been
weakened invite easy and successful attack fro
the enemy who had made their appearance in that dire
ton in large numbers.
No had troops retired to the valley befol
the rebels occupied the heights above the guns aud de
hherately commenced musketry FIRE upon the Nal
below which returned by soldiers shell
one Of our batteries posted the bridge however
caused them to skedaddle in quick time Everybody
tired that night feeling that all lost unless rein
forcetaerfs drriued, and expected be awoke N
morrow with the booming Of artillery from the eyao,
ated heights.
THE nArTLR OF SUNDAY
Morning came but with II no signs OF the enemy, tr
oept in front Our guns and camps the mountain
remained just we had left them, and yet the sien
omnous OF no good, The line Of battle form,
the BTeastworks beside the Bolivar Heights near
It bad been the day beforei--the 9th Vermont (depo
ed As skirmshers) and kgby's battery occupied the G
trene leh The 18th New York militia remained post
behind the first entertainments, and portion Of Car
Potts battery moved up to the Bolivar Heigh
and planted near the Charlestown road. Gen. WIN
commanded the Heights, Major Mclvane all the aftil
~, and General Miles had command over all the force
Col baing acting Bnsadier General, whose forces ca
sisted OF all the infantry aud artillery (5h New ork
futta battery behind the line Of entertainments
unned 10 shell the noighboring heights About u o'co
COMPANIES OF the Garabaldi ard nd ,xao NJ 1