The New York herald., 1862-09-17
SURRENDER OF HARpER's FERRY.
Beyoic Defence Of the Place by Colonel
nDos Days Hard Fighting, &c.

Great anxiety has been manifested here all day 10
learn The fate Of Harper Ferry and ts gallant deenders
II was known that they were completely surrounded by
The rebel forces and had been sustaining fierce and
unequal conflict Tor two whole days. and that DO rein
forcements except those from Martnsberg bad arrived
Those bo weH the old sclder Mics refused
10 believe he had surrendered but the govern
nent bad no definite information on the subject
These doubts solved this afternoon by The follow
ing detailed Of affairs at the Ferry furnished by
correspondent Of the HERALD
II will he seen that Colonel Miles as he had pledged
himself DO refused surrender, and tha, General
White, who assumed the command after Colonel Miles
wounded, capulaed only at the last moment OF pos
sihc resistance against ovepowerng force by which
the position was surrounded on all sides
Harpcrs Ferry was surrendered 10 the rebels at ten
O'Clock Monday forenoon. All The priscners-c6cers and
mer-were paroled. The cavalry, about twenty five
hundred n number Sunday evening crossed .he rolo
mae on a pcntoon bridge 10 The Maryland soe and cut
their wny through the cpemys lines, fnaking Their
escapc The rebels report that they (be cavary) had
severe fight lost two three huDdred 10 killed
wolnded and prisopers In the operation.
About eight Thousand men captured by the rebels
p all az the final surrender
cannot learn The numbers Of the roteis, bat they
we're very large The GgDt was commenced on Friday
afternoon our batteries the Maryland Leghis and
Camp HH Harper's Ferry opening uIou The rebels
the Maryland sGe. To this they did no; reply tenc
yet ready % commence the contest
On Saturday tie rebels made an attack with artillery
On our forces on the Maryland Heights This snp.
cr,cd by large infantry force, and the fighting
tinued through tic day There were coed many killed
and wounded during this feh, on both sides The rebels
cay they bad only brigade OF nspry engaged 10 this
battle Upon eide the nlantry engaged the
s.lr
York the First reg mcA, Maryland Eome Guards Colonel
Moeely ard tie CaTibale Geards. u New York Other
regiments were there but tie above ta.ned
the hrunt Of the fight
About four P. NJ. orr forces abandoned Mary and
Heights tic rebels having neen largely reinforced aDJ
overpowering them. The retreat was made in coed
order Tie artillery was spiked aud cur wogndcd taken
away Durmg tho day the soheis made Their appearance
OF, Ior6on Eeghs, which is on the Virginia eide about
n nile and half from Harper's Ferry. Thoir signal
corps appeared tic Block House and comnenced cpe
rations. they slo 90 from camp Hill, and tue
third shea disappeared. They, however continued 70
appear al the point % intervals through the day, not
withsiandng our ire
During Saturday they were plating batteries ihere,
which would command both Bolivar Higgins aud
Barpcrs Ferry During Saturday Afternoon the
rebels aeo made ther appearance iosoe on
the Charleston tcrnp!ke. They were shoed from
Bolivar Heights, bot did not return tho FIRE
during all this time. II is understood that colono Nj es
wac IN command during oil This tine. General White was
present and engaged in the coutos declined t. take
command, although II tendered 10 him by Colonel
Miles.
On Sunday morning there was infantry 81 FINISHING
on the Charleston turnpike The rebels also used art ery
from the same direction but LITTLE damage was done ana
Cor Two or br hours the lighting ives almost entirely
euspo Abou, two r. NJ. the enemy succeeded In
po tinr their batteries In pcs London He vbts and
heavy artillery 6re commercially thop sanutane.
o,ay from IoLe and Mar Wand De ghis and from the
dirccion Of the Charleston turnpike The canuonadirr
from shis time cntl about souset was terrific Our
batteries from Eoiiyar Hoigtw, and, ID faot
sycry gpn that could be brought 10 bear urou
the enemy replied. whtc his king pace thcro
was a general iaartfy engagement on The bar ostwcc
turnpike Nearly ajolo force was engaged ia tA 10
usl,le Tic rebels were 10 vcty strong force and the
fgalipp WIS desperate, Nttie bs wls gong - the
Carbalc Guard crossed the river Jf trosGht on tbe
artillery i,t % tie Maryland hepLs cyoer he three
sege guns,
Qufing lbe ght Of Sunday the r,bcs h8d uiso,i ad
dilcna batteries 10 position. 8ud al N tiig.i Al gny
mc,8ps VJcT,aJ Jtn aedt ac1tnl 0 t.it Thcv
- aCt. ccJp ctely sure udel tho Union forcea
About eslt y n. sasorci Miles was sovctoiy voundea
n the .cr er ~ piece q enell Afior this thc eom
uaud was oaauca ~ Getorai Wn,e Rcnlorccosnts