Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-11-20

ammunition.
Gen. White, on his return to Harper's Fer
~ ou the 18th Of September suggested to
COL Miles the propriety of contracting his
lines on Bolivar Heights so as to make bet
ter defence but Col Miles adhered to his
original line of defence, stating that he was
determined to make his stand on Bolivar
Heights Gen. White also urged the mpor
tance OF holding Maryland Heights, even
should it require the taking the entire force
over there from HaIper's Ferry Col. Miles,
under bis orders to hold Harpers Ferry to
the last extremity, while admitting the impor
tance o: Maryland Heights, seemed to regard
them Us applying to the town of Harper's
Ferry and held that to leave Harper's Ferry,
even to go on Maryland Heights, would be
dlsobeying his Instructions
Gen. Mcclellan established his headuuar.
terS at Frederick City on the morning of the
18th of September. On the night of the 18Th,
after the evacuation of Maryland Heights,
Col Miles directed Captain (now Major)
Russell, of the Maryland Cavalry, to take with
him few men aud eDdeavor TO get through
the eheHy's line aud reach some of our forces
-Gen. Mcclellan, if possibe-and to report
the condition OF Harper's Ferry, that it could
not hold out more than 4S hours, unless rein
forced, aud to urge the sending of reinforce
meats. Capt Russell reached Gen. McCel
lan's headquarters at Frederick, at 9 A NJ
Oh the l4th September aud reported as direct
ed br Col Miles. Immediately on his arrival
Gen. Mcclellan sent off messenger. as Cap
tain Russell understood to General Franklin
At III A. NJ Captain Russell left for Gene
raj Frankhnn command with communication
to Genera! Franklin from General McCirllan
lie reached General Franklin about O'Clock
ttat AFTERNOON and found him engaged with
the enemy at Crawptons Gap. The enemy
We're drlyeH from tue Gap, and the next moru-
lug, the 10th, Geueral Franklin passed through
the Gap. advancing about mile, aud finding
the enemy drawn up lu llue of battle IN his
front, drew bis own forces up in line of battle
w hle thus situated, the cauuOnadng in the
direction of Harpers Ferry, which had been
heard very distinctly all the moruIug-Hur
pcrs Ferry being obout seven miles distant
suddenly ceased, whereupoh General Frankliu
sent word TO General Mcclellan OF the proba
Die surrender of Harpers Ferry by Colonel
Mills, and did not deem it necessary to pro.
ceed further in that direction
The battle OF SaLth Mountain was fought
OH Sunday, tue l4th. On the same day, Sun
day, dnrInS the afternoon, the enemy at Har-
pers Ferry attacked the extreme left of the
llne Oh Bolivar Heights, but, after sorGe time,
We're repulsed by the troops under command
OF General White. Sunday uight the cavalry
at Harpers Ferry made their escape, under
Colouel Davis, OF The 18TH Illinois Cavalry,
by permission Of Cuiouel Miles, and reached
~ la
ammunition train helouging to General
Lohgstreet, consisting of some fifty or sixty
wagons, &c. Several of the Infantry officers
desired permission to cut their way out at the
same time the cavalry made their escape, but
Colouel Miles refused upon the ground that
he had been ordered to hold Harpers Ferry
10 the last extremity.
Gu the morning of the 18th the enemy
opeued their batteries from several points
seven 10 uiue as estimated by different wit
ueSseS-drectlng their attack principally upon
our batteries on the left of Bolivar Heights
The attack commenced at daybreak. About
I O'Clock Col. Miles represented to Gen. White
that II would be necessary TO surrender
Gen. White suggested that the brigade
commanders be called together, which was
done. Col. Miles stated that the ammunition
lor the batteries was exhausted, and he had
about made up his MUD TO surrender. That
was agreed to by all present, aud Gen. White
was seut by Col. Miles TO arrange terms The
white flag was raised lty order of Col Miles,
for the euemy did not cease lire for some half
or three quarters Of au hour after. Col Miles
was NOR tuly wounded after the white flag
was raised. The surrender was agreed upon
about 8 A. NJ. on Monday, the 18Th Of Sep,
lember.
The following was the testim Dny respective
ly OF the officers commanding batteries At
the time Of the surrender CAPT Won Schlen
had some ammunition, couIt not tell what
amolnH, but mostly shrapnel had lost about
100 rounds on Saturday, the 18th, 10y the ex
pioslon OF timber CAUSED 10y one Of the enc
my'S shells. Capt. Rgby bad expended, dur
ing the siege OF Harper'S Ferry, about 600
rounds, with The exception OF canister ; had
nothing but caul>ter left. Capt. Pots had
expended about | 900 rounds, with the excep-
ton of canister had ouly canister left. Capt
Graham had but TWO guns of his battery un-
der his immediate command on the morning of
the surrender had probably 100 rounds Of
all kinds, but no long time fuses. Captain
Philips had expended all his ammunition, ex,
cept Some forty rounds of canister aud some
Ioag rGuge shells too large for his guns Capt.
MeGrathS battery had been spiked aud ef,
Oh Ma yaud Heights Oh Saturday.
1t appears that during the siege and shortly
previous, Col. Miles paroed several Confeder-
ate prisoners, permitting them to pass through
our lines. During the week previous to the
evacuation of Mary land Heights o Lieuten-
ant Rouse, OF the 18th Virginia Cavalry, who
had been engaged in raid npon train from
Harper's Ferry to Winchester short time be
tore, was captured aud brought into Harper's
Ferry. He escaped while GU the way to the
hospital TO haze his wounds dressed, but was
retak'n. He was pareled. bat returned in
command OF some rebel cavalry ou the morn
lnn of The surrender