The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-10-03

TIE SURRENDER OF HARPER's FERRY.
We are enabled to give some authentic in
telIigenee Of the operations of our army be-
yoaid Harper's Ferry, as late as to Tuesday
night 1ast
Tie battle Of Sunday, the 1Ath, which has
Seen variously called She battle Of Boonsboro'
aad Middletown, took place. IN fact, between
crosses the Rl.ee r do q =ss9 .
ifag west from Frederick city, hid posted &c:
nerals D. IL. Hill and Stuart at the passes of
the mountain, to held back Mcclellan forces;
which were advancing to the relief Of Har-
per's Ferry
Harperia Ferry sagiing.held ont somewhat
longer than was expected, and McClelan's
advance having become rapid General Lee
suSpeetcd that he might attempt 10 force the
passage of the mountain, and fsl mon the
rear Of General A4eLIws, Mko w:;s occupying
the Marvland Heights, and assisting in the
reduction Of Harper's Ferry. He according
ly returned with Gen. I.9ngstrees,s division,
orsSunday, to Gen. Ifill's supper.
On approaching Bo9nesboto' ceiIriers were
met from Hill. announcing that the enemy
pass on the ffesleTick and Hagefstown road,
nlasts. Iongstreat thereupon hurried his
march, and very soon had his troops in posi-
ton. BY this time Ifiill'sright had been fore
ed back; and here the gallant Cen. Garland
had fallen while rallying his brigade.
S General lang soun succeeded in re-
storing our right, which afterwards success.
fully resisted to the very last the efforts Of the
enemy.
The enemy's superior numbers enabled him
to mako his line outstretch ours, both on the
rigltsan left. His right reached The summit
OF the mountain to our left, annoying Us com
siderably from that direction.
The battle ragged until after night. The
enemy's determined effort to force q passage
had been successfully resisted; and the object
lie had IN view, the relief Of Harper's Ferry,
was now rendered impossible Of accomplish
mrnt.
Latein the evening information was gained
that the enemy had obtained possession Of
Crampton's Gap, en- the direct road from Free
derrick city to 53harpsburg. Thisnnabled hiu
still to threaten McLaws' rear. General Lee
having received information that Hsrpaf's
Ferry would probably fall next naarning, de- ;
to withdraw Generals Lon gstreeta and
Hi from their position and retire to Sharps-
burg, where he could more readily unite his
whole army. Slarpsburg is about ten miles
iio1 III tspoui ElI1cS
west Of Boonsboro'. Lees deteraination was
rendered the more expedient from the fact
that Gen. SINNERS corps offresh troops had
come up to relieve their wearied comrades,
while on our side, we were without any such
I'D.
The trains were accordingly sent off first,
sad our army followed, and about day break
Monday morning our position was taken IN
iontof Sharpsburg. Our march was entire
aainterrppted by the enemy.
McClellan7s troops did not pass through
The mountain gap uiitii eight o'clock of Mon
lay morning, aud about 2 p. Nj. of the same
lay, their advance reached a position in front
IF cur lines at sharpsburg. They continued
o gather up their forces; but up to Tuesday
night had made no attack.
Gen. Lee also remained INACTIVE, waiting
for the junction of Jackson's forces. a parl
had reached him on Tuesday evening. and the
.est We're near by, save Gea. A. p. HIPS Di-
vision, which had been left ut Harpcr's Fer
y e guard the place cad protect the public
property.